The Upscayl Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Upscayl in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Upscayl
The Insider’s Guide
Free desktop image upscaler with a paid credit-based cloud
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI image and video generators, read from Upscayl’s own pages.
Made by Upscayl · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Upscayl’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Upscayl’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 82 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade
Upscayl enlarges and sharpens low-resolution images with AI models. The desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows is free and open source and processes images on your own machine. A separate paid cloud service, Upscayl Cloud, adds credit-based upscaling, image editing and AI image generation in the browser.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Upscayl, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You download it, drop in an image and pick a model, with nothing to set up.
- 1
Best for a free image upscaler that runs on your own computer
Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows that enlarges images on your own machine with no stated limits.
- 2
Paid plans start at $24.99 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $24.99 per month for 300 credits, billed monthly.
- 3
There is a free plan
Upscayl Desktop is free and open source with no stated limits on images or formats. Upscayl Cloud gives a one-time 10-credit trial.
- 4
It runs on 4 platforms
Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
- 5
Local desktop upscaling
The desktop app does all processing on your machine and needs no internet connection.
- 6
Several AI models
Choose between different models for different kinds of images, add your own custom models, and run a double upscale for better quality.
- 7
Batch processing
Upscale several images in one go. The site advertises enlargement of up to 16x.
- 8
A 3.0 GPA, above 82 of 89
That is against the other AI image and video generators we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Upscayl you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Upscayl at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $24.99 per month for 300 credits, billed monthly
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Upscayl Cloud: 10 free credits after signing up and filling in a trial application.
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Upscayl
- Category
- AI Image & Video Generators
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a free image upscaler that runs on your own computer
Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop app for Linux, macOS and Windows that enlarges images on your own machine with no stated limits. It only upscales, and the paid cloud service, with editing and image generation, starts at $24.99 a month for 300 credits.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | The desktop app is free and open source, with no stated limit on images or formats. The cloud service is $24.99 a month for 300 credits, but you don't need it. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free outright for the desktop app, with no account, and it works offline. The cloud's only free offer is 10 credits once, after a trial application. |
| Features | C | Does one job completely: several models, batch upscaling and your own custom models, up to 16x. It's a smaller job, and editing and generation exist only in the paid cloud. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. You download it, drop in an image and pick a model, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Desktop for Linux, macOS and Windows plus a cloud web app. No phone apps, no API on the listing and no integrations. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Upscayl is for
- Fits if you want to enlarge photos for free, on your own machine
- Works for people who batch-process images and would rather not upload them
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you need editing or image generation, as those are in the paid cloud only
- Tight if you try the cloud: the trial is 10 credits once, and it needs a trial application
- Pricey if you want cloud credits, at $24.99 a month for 300, and unused ones are lost when you cancel
- Not for you if you want it on a phone, since only desktop and web versions are listed
Good to know
Good for
- People who want to upscale photos for free without uploading them anywhere
- Users on Linux, macOS or Windows who like open-source tools
- Occasional cloud use for very large images or AI generation
Worth knowing
- The cloud service is sold by monthly credits, and the pricing page shows only one price at a time as the slider moves.
- If a cloud subscription is cancelled, unused subscription credits are lost and history is deleted after 1 month.
- The cloud trial is only 10 credits and requires a trial application.
- The desktop app has no cloud editing or image generation features.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$24.99
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Upscayl has a free plan. Paid plans start at $24.99 per month for 300 credits, billed monthly.
The desktop app is free and open source, with no stated limit on images or formats.
Upscayl Desktop
$0
Free, open-source app for Linux, macOS and Windows. Runs on your own computer, with several AI models and batch upscaling.
Free Trial (Cloud)
$0
10 credits for Upscayl Cloud, one time. Needs a login and a trial application.
Pro (Cloud)
$24.99
per month for 300 credits, billed monthly
Unused credits roll over, 6 months of storage, upscaling up to 256 MP, AI image generation and priority support. The price follows the credit amount chosen on a slider.
Business (Cloud)
Custom
Offered for larger credit amounts on the slider, with upscaling up to 512 MP and 6 months of storage. No price was shown for it.
The free plan
Upscayl Desktop is free and open source with no stated limits on images or formats. Upscayl Cloud gives a one-time 10-credit trial.
Trying it first
Upscayl Cloud: 10 free credits after signing up and filling in a trial application.
Read from upscayl.org on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Up to 40% off with annual billing
The pricing page shows an Annual option labelled up to 40% off for Upscayl Cloud subscriptions. The annual prices were not displayed.
Stated on upscayl.org
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows and Linux
Free desktop image upscaler with a paid credit-based cloud. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, AI features, image generation.
It's a smaller job, and editing and generation exist only in the paid cloud.
- Local desktop upscaling
- The desktop app does all processing on your machine and needs no internet connection.
- Several AI models
- Choose between different models for different kinds of images, add your own custom models, and run a double upscale for better quality.
- Batch processing
- Upscale several images in one go. The site advertises enlargement of up to 16x.
- Upscayl Cloud editing
- The cloud service lists face enhancement, detail recovery and smart editing, with batch processing.
- AI image generation
- Upscayl Cloud can generate images from a text description in several styles. It is included on the paid cloud plans.
- Large output sizes
- Cloud Pro upscales up to 256 megapixels and the Business tier up to 512 megapixels.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Upscayl is made by Upscayl.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
82/89
Other AI image and video generators it is graded above
Upscayl's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 82 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 6.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 86 of 89) and worst on features (C, above 2).
Its paid plans start at $24.99 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 61 of the 65 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 32 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 90 AI image and video generators we grade, cut by the letter each got. Upscayl’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 80 of 89
- AFree plan and trialAbove 86 of 89
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 89
- BEase of useAbove 58 of 89
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 89
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 67 AI image and video generators. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Upscayl is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Upscayl you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 82 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade. It costs $299.88 a year. Upscayl is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could not
- An image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Upscayl’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Topaz Labs, Let's Enhance, VanceAI and Remini
The 4 tools Upscayl is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
Topaz Labs
From $19/mo
AI upscaling and enhancement apps for photos and video.
- Upscayl has a free plan. Topaz Labs does not.
- Only Upscayl lists a Linux app.
- Only Topaz Labs lists an iOS app.
- 2.2GPA
Let's Enhance
Free trial · from $9/mo
Browser image enhancer and upscaler sold by monthly credits.
- Upscayl has a free plan. Let's Enhance does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Upscayl lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Upscayl is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.4GPA
VanceAI
Free trial · from $15/mo
Credit-based image and video enhancer with a Windows desktop app.
- Upscayl has a free plan. VanceAI does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Upscayl lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Upscayl is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
Remini
Free plan · from $4.99
AI photo enhancer that sharpens old and blurry pictures.
- Only Upscayl lists macOS, Windows and Linux apps.
- Only Remini lists an iOS app.
- Upscayl is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Upscayl free?
Upscayl has a free plan. Upscayl Desktop is free and open source with no stated limits on images or formats.
How much does Upscayl cost?
Upscayl lists 4 plans. Upscayl Desktop: $0.
What platforms does Upscayl work on?
Upscayl is available on Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Upscayl offer any discounts?
Upscayl publicly lists the following: Up to 40% off with annual billing.
Does Upscayl have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Upscayl is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Does Upscayl have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Upscayl is listed for Web, macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Upscayl open source?
Yes. Upscayl is open source, according to its own site.
Does Upscayl work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Does Upscayl have a free trial?
Yes. Upscayl Cloud: 10 free credits after signing up and filling in a trial application.
Who makes Upscayl?
Upscayl is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to Upscayl?
The closest alternatives to Upscayl in our directory are Topaz Labs, Let's Enhance, VanceAI and Remini.
How does Upscayl compare with other AI image and video generators?
Upscayl's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 82 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 6.
Is Upscayl good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Upscayl A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $24.99 a month, against a middle price of $10 for the category: 61 of the 65 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Upscayl?
To replace Upscayl you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Upscayl’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Upscayl's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Upscayl. Prices change, so check upscayl.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Upscayl, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/upscayl
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Upscayl: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/upscayl
Know someone choosing between AI image and video generators?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/upscayl/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded AI image and video generators after Upscayl, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Image & Video Generators Insider's GuideEvery one of the 90 AI image and video generators we grade, compared
- Pixlr Insider's GuideBrowser photo editors with AI image, video and audio tools3.2 GPA
- Adobe Firefly Insider's GuideAdobe's image, video and audio generator, with partner models3.0 GPA
- ComfyUI Insider's GuideOpen-source node editor for image and video AI workflows, plus a cloud3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Upscayl’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Upscayl is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Upscayl. Prices and plans change: check upscayl.org before you buy.