A pixelated photo? Comparison of the best AI image resolution enhancement programs of 2026

Until recently, the programs we had to correct blurry or very small images were, to put it mildly, deficient. In the end, your photo looked just as bad, but with more pixels. However, the arrival of generative AI has led to the emergence of new and better apps to effectively upscale images.

Here is a small list of some of the best upscaling programs you can find in 2026.

Adobe Firefly DOWNLOAD

Adobe Firefly

It is, without a doubt, one of the best options to consider for upscaling images. Adobe Firefly is the name given to both the family of generative models from Adobe and its AI editing and generation platform. You can access it from your browser or through its app, available for iOS and Android.

Firefly, overall, is a highly recommended option for those working in sectors related to advertising, design, and similar fields. The reason is that its models have been trained with licensed content, so you won’t have to worry about anything.

In addition, the upscaling features of Adobe Firefly are also integrated within Adobe Photoshop, so you can enhance your images from there without the need to use additional applications. In fact, in almost all Creative Cloud programs (Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, etc.), you will find many Firefly options, which is ideal for those who are already accustomed to working with Adobe.

If you want to try it for yourself, access Adobe Firefly from here. In the Edit section, we can retrieve any type of image and easily increase its resolution. Simply, you need to go to the website and hover (without clicking) over Image, located in the left sidebar. There you will see the option Upscale Image floating.

You can also directly access the rescale option through this link, something you can do for free.

Topaz Gigapixel

Among the upscaling tools, Topaz Gigapixel is one of the most recognized and famous. It is well-deserved, as its results are very good and will get you out of trouble on more than one occasion. The main application is installed on your computer, but you can also access Topaz Image Web from the browser.

Topaz Gigapixel offers different models depending on the type of image you want to upscale, such as the Standard Model (balanced and suitable for most photos) or its new Standard MAX Model (faster and more natural), among many others. In addition to using the cloud, it also works locally, ideal for when we need to work with more “confidential” images.

If you want to try Topaz Gigapixel, you will need to subscribe to one of its current plans, which range from 12 dollars per month (if you decide to commit for a whole year) to 69 dollars per month (if you want the most comprehensive option). There are many options depending on how you want to subscribe and the features you want to access, so explore their pricing thoroughly if you need more information.

Magnific (Freepik)

You may not be familiar with the name Magnific at first, but you definitely know Freepik. The well-known image bank has completely changed its strategy to become much more than just an image bank and is fully committed to generative AI.

Now, Magnific also offers, among other options, the ability to upscale images with Magnific Image Upscaler. You can upscale up to 16X and do it in batches, in case you need to edit several images at once. You can also add additional details, such as textures or slight variations, if needed.

Although there are many Magnific services you can use for free (like the image bank), for the AI features, such as upscaling, you will need to subscribe to a subscription plan. Through this link, you can check the different prices and plans currently available.

Upscayl

Upscayl is one of the most interesting options for offering limited free access and being open source, in addition to being available for Windows, macOS , and Linux.

It is quite fast and you can use it locally or use the cloud to render your photos. It doesn’t matter how small (or large) your image is; Upscayl supports all types of resolutions. Regarding privacy, Upscayl does not use your images to train its generative models and any file you upload for upscaling is deleted from its servers after 24 hours.

It is an option to consider for occasional users who want to edit a specific image without the need to pay. However, you can also subscribe starting at 9.99 dollars per month or make a one-time purchase of the application for the same price. There are many options depending on the number of generative credits you want to choose from, and you can check them here.

Krea.ai

Krea.ai is an AI video and image generation platform that also offers upscaling options. With Krea.ai, you can increase the resolution of any image up to 22K and dramatically enhance its definition. Although it works directly from the browser, it also has a dedicated app available for iOS and Android.

Like the other programs we have mentioned before, Krea.ai operates on a subscription payment basis, but it also offers a more limited free option. Through this link, you can upload your image and rescale it up to 8X, choosing between Standard and High Quality.

What is the best option of all?

As you can see, improving the quality of your photos is no longer an impossible task. In fact, it has become more accessible than ever, with many options at our disposal and excellent results in most cases. However, for professionals or those working in marketing, Adobe Firefly can be a great option.

Why do we say this? One of its great advantages over the rest is that its generative models have been trained with licensed content. In practice, this means that you won’t have to deal with copyright issues, legal matters, etc. However, you can be sure that, no matter which platform you choose, you will be able to make your images look better than ever.

Adobe Firefly DOWNLOAD