Best Free AI Image Upscalers in 2026

The Best Free AI Image Upscalers in 2026

Looking for a free way to upscale your images using AI? Whether you need to enlarge photos, enhance wallpapers, or prepare images for print, there are several excellent free tools available. Here are the best free AI image upscalers in 2026.

1. UpscalePro — Best Overall Free Upscaler

UpscalePro is a free, browser-based AI image upscaler powered by Real-ESRGAN. It offers 2x and 4x upscaling with no signup required.

What makes UpscalePro stand out:

• Real-ESRGAN AI model — one of the best super-resolution models available
• No signup needed — upload and upscale immediately
• No watermarks — your images are clean and ready to use
• Privacy-first — images are not stored after processing
• Supports JPEG, PNG, and WebP

Free limits: 3 upscales/day (5 with free account), 5MB file size limit.

Best for: General-purpose upscaling — photos, wallpapers, anime, old photos, and print preparation.

2. Waifu2x — Best Free Open-Source Option

Waifu2x is an open-source upscaler originally designed for anime-style images.

Pros:

• Completely free and open source
• Excellent for anime and illustrations
• Can be self-hosted

Cons:

• Limited to 2x upscaling
• Dated web interface
• Less effective on photographs

Best for: Anime fans who want unlimited free upscaling and don't mind a basic interface.

3. Bigjpg — Free Tier Available

Bigjpg offers AI upscaling with a free tier that includes limited monthly credits.

Pros:

• Supports up to 4x upscaling
• Decent quality for anime and illustrations

Cons:

• Limited free credits (only a few images per month)
• Slower processing on free tier
• Quality varies on photographs

Best for: Occasional upscaling when you don't need many images processed.

4. Upscayl — Best Free Desktop App

Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop application for AI image upscaling.

Pros:

• Completely free with no limits
• Runs locally on your computer
• Multiple AI models available
• Batch processing

Cons:

• Requires installation
• Needs a decent GPU for fast processing
• No web interface

Best for: Users who want unlimited local processing and have a capable computer.

5. ImgUpscaler — Simple Free Web Tool

ImgUpscaler is another browser-based AI upscaler with a free tier.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• No installation required

Cons:

• Limited free uses
• Lower quality than Real-ESRGAN-based tools
• Adds watermarks on some plans

Best for: Quick, occasional upscaling when quality isn't critical.

Comparison Table

Here's how the top free AI upscalers compare:

• UpscalePro — Web-based, Real-ESRGAN, 2x/4x, no signup, 3-5 free/day, no watermark
• Waifu2x — Web/self-hosted, open source, 2x only, unlimited, no watermark
• Bigjpg — Web-based, custom AI, up to 4x, few free/month, no watermark
• Upscayl — Desktop app, multiple models, unlimited, requires GPU, no watermark
• ImgUpscaler — Web-based, custom AI, limited free, may watermark

Which Free Upscaler Should You Choose?

• For quick, high-quality upscaling: UpscalePro — no signup, Real-ESRGAN quality
• For anime and illustrations: UpscalePro or Waifu2x
• For unlimited local processing: Upscayl (desktop)
• For occasional use: Any of the above will work well

The Bottom Line

In 2026, you don't need to pay for high-quality image upscaling. UpscalePro offers the best combination of quality, convenience, and privacy for free web-based upscaling. For unlimited local processing, Upscayl is an excellent free desktop alternative.

Try UpscalePro free → — no signup, no watermarks, instant results.