6 Best Free Image Upscalers in 2026

February 12, 2026 6 min read

Quick Answer

EditThisPic is the best free image upscaler in 2026 for general use. Upload a low-resolution image and type 'upscale this to higher resolution and enhance the details.' The AI adds real detail rather than just smoothing pixels. For dedicated upscaling at maximum quality, Topaz Photo AI leads but costs $199.

How We Tested Image Upscalers

We tested each upscaler with three images: a 480p photograph, a 720p screenshot with text, and a low-resolution AI-generated illustration. We upscaled to 2x and 4x and compared detail recovery, artifact introduction, and how well text remained readable.

Which Free Upscaler Should You Use?

For general photos, EditThisPic is the best free option because it intelligently adds detail during upscaling rather than just smoothing. For maximum quality with no budget constraints, Topaz Photo AI is unmatched. For anime and illustration upscaling, Bigjpg and Waifu2x handle stylized content better. Upscayl is the best choice for privacy-conscious users who want to process locally.

Step-by-Step Guide

Upload Your Low-Resolution Image

Drop your image into EditThisPic. It works with any resolution, but the AI has more to work with when starting from at least 300-500 pixels wide.

Describe the Upscaling

Type: 'upscale this image to higher resolution and enhance the details.' For specific needs: 'upscale this and sharpen the face details' or 'upscale and make the text crisp.'

Download Your Enhanced Image

Save the upscaled result. The AI-enhanced version should have visibly more detail than simple interpolation would produce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AI really add detail when upscaling?

Yes. Unlike traditional upscaling (which just interpolates pixels), AI upscaling predicts and generates real detail based on training data. It's not perfect—the AI is making educated guesses—but the results are dramatically better than simple enlargement.

What's the maximum useful upscale factor?

2x to 4x upscaling produces the best results. Beyond 4x, even the best AI starts inventing details rather than recovering them. For very low-resolution images, 2x is often the sweet spot.

Will upscaling a blurry photo make it sharp?

AI upscaling adds resolution but works best when the original has reasonable clarity. If the source is blurry due to camera shake or bad focus, upscaling alone won't fix that. Use a sharpening tool first, then upscale.

Can I upscale images for printing?

Yes. For print, you typically need 300 DPI. A 1000px image upscaled 3x to 3000px gives you a 10-inch print at 300 DPI. AI upscaling produces print-quality results at 2-4x enlargement.

Does upscaling work on screenshots and text?

Text upscaling is challenging for AI because the shapes need to be precise. Dedicated tools like Topaz handle text better than general-purpose upscalers. For screenshots, 2x upscaling with a sharpening prompt gives the best results.

Upscale Your Images with AI

Upload a low-resolution image and get an enhanced, higher-resolution version. Free, instant.

Try It Free