10 Best AI Video Upscaling Software in 2026 (Tested & Compared)
Posted By: Lucy Lauria- Category: Video Enhancer Tips
- Updated On: February 28, 2026
AI-powered video upscaling tools can significantly improve video clarity, effectively reduce noise, and intelligently reconstruct lost details. In this guide, we reviewed 10 excellent AI video upscalers, covering desktop software and online tools, and tested whether they offer free trials and their actual enhancement effects to help you quickly find the solution best suited to your needs.
Part 1. Quick Comparison: Top AI Video Upscalers at a Glance
Of the 10 AI video upscaling software introduced below, this article selects the 4 best AI video upscalers for you, covering both online versions and desktop apps: AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI, Topaz Video AI, AVCLabs Online AI Video Enhancer, and Vmake AI Video Enhancer.
The table below provides a clear comparison to help you find the solution that best suits your needs.
| Software | Platform | Free Trial | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI | Windows / macOS | Yes | From $39.95/month | Advanced AI upscaling with easy workflow |
| Topaz Video | Windows / macOS | No | From $59/month | Professional restoration & 16K upscaling |
| AVCLabs Online AI Video Enhancer | Web-based | 20 free credits | Subscription-based | Quick online enhancement without installation |
| Vmake AI Video Enhancer | Web-based | 20 free credits | Subscription-based | Beginner-friendly web-based upscaling |
Part 2. 6 Best Desktop AI Video Upscalers for Windows & Mac
1. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
- Price: $199.9/lifetime, $95.96/year, $39.95/month
- Free Trial: Export 30-second video with watermark
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI, as the top-recommended best AI video upscaling software, is renowned for its facial enhancement and excellent cost-effectiveness. Utilizing a deep learning model, it not only upscales SD video to HD, 4K, and even 8K, but also offers other practical functions such as noise reduction, motion compensation, and video colorization.
In addition to video upscaling, AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI also supports AI-powered frame interpolation for smoother motion (e.g., converting 24fps or 30fps footage to 60fps) and advanced deinterlacing for cleaning up interlaced TV or legacy recordings before enhancement.
Anime Model:
Standard Model:
Face Enhancement:
📌 What Makes AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI the Best Video Upscaler in 2026?
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is one of the most well-rounded and user-friendly AI video enhancers and upscalers. It improves video quality while minimizing visible imperfections and maintaining natural detail, avoiding the over-processing effects common in many competing AI enhancers. This makes it particularly suitable for older videos or footage primarily featuring portraits that demand high facial clarity and detail.
How to Upscale Video with AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI?
Step 1: Upload the video you want to upscale to AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI.
Step 2: Select the output resolution in Presets or Video and choose the AI Enhancement Model, such as Standard or Anime.
Step 3: Click the Preview button to preview the effect, then click Export to start rendering the video.
2. Topaz Video
- Price: $59/month
- Free Trial: No
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Topaz Video is one of the most popular video upscalers, widely used by numerous professional filmmakers and video restoration experts. It provides a massive library of professional AI models, such as Proteus for detail reconstruction and Nyx for noise reduction.
The software supports output at resolutions up to 16K, meeting professional needs in film production and old film restoration. It also provides rich customizable adjustment parameters, allowing users to adjust options such as detail restoration and artifact compression based on the footage, achieving more precise and ideal optimization results.
- Deliver video upscaling up to 16K.
- Professional AI video upscaling software with leading AI models.
- It can be integrated as a plugin into professional software such as DaVinci Resolve.
- Higher system requirements.
- The subscription mode is more complex.
- Learning curve for beginners.
3. HitPaw VikPea
- Price: $350.39/lifetime, $124.99/year, $43.19/month
- Free Trial: No
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac
HitPaw VikPea is one of the leading AI video enhancers, designed for ease of use by everyone. This video upscaling software offers a variety of models optimized for different scenarios for more targeted video quality enhancement, such as models suitable for anime content, portrait videos, and highly compressed footage. In addition, it provides an intelligent AI assistant that automatically detects video issues and then matches the best AI model to optimize the video.
- Support 8K ultra-high-definition upscaling.
- Best AI upscaler video for beginners with clear model introductions.
- Focus on one-click enhancement and minimize manual adjustments.
- Limited advanced manual control and settings.
- The free version only allows previewing and cannot export videos.
This article will review HitPaw Video Enhancer and explore its features, pros & cons, its cost, and other options.
4. UniFab Video Upscaler AI
- Price: $129.99/lifetime, $99.99/year
- Free Trial: Export 3 watermark-free videos
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Cloud
UniFab Video Upscaler AI offers a high-performance video enhancement solution that supports both local AI video upscaling and a cloud-based mode, allowing users with different device configurations to choose flexibly. The software provides four different models for video quality enhancement, such as the Kairo model designed for anime and cartoons, and the newly introduced Titanus model specifically for handling highly complex video scenes. Furthermore, some models offer fast and high-quality modes, allowing users to freely balance processing speed and output quality.
- Support for up to 16K resolution video upscaling.
- Support upmixing the original stereo sound to EAC3 5.1 or DTS 7.1.
- Provide real-time display of CPU, GPU, and memory usage.
- Integrate AI enhancement, video editing, and audio tools.
- The video model download speed is very slow.
- The software includes many tools, resulting in a large installation package.
5. VideoProc Converter AI
- Price: $89.95/Lifetime
- Free Trial: Export video length less than 5 minutes
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac
VideoProc Converter AI is a budget-friendly desktop AI toolkit that integrates AI video and image upscaling, video stabilization, video conversion, and editing tools. The 4K video upscaler demonstrates excellent compatibility in terms of minimum hardware requirements. Even older graphics cards can run its basic enhancement models, such as Anime and Zyxt. It allows more devices to run it smoothly while guaranteeing a certain level of video quality improvement.
- Stand out as a cost-effective AI upscaling software.
- Offer various video tools and functions besides video enhancer.
- Relatively friendly to hardware performance requirements.
- Less modern UI compared to video ai upscaler.
- AI enhancement models and settings are generally limited.
6. Nero AI Video Upscaler
- Price: $195.00/Lifetime, $84.95/Year
- Free Trial: 7-day free trial with watermark
- Compatibility: Windows
Nero AI Video Upscaler is a popular video enhancement tool on the Windows platform. It has 6 AI upscale models, including Fast, Animation, Realistic, Versatile, Face Enhancement, and Restoration, and also supports frame rate interpolation, allowing for more ideal and natural enhancement effects for different types of videos.
Notably, the Fast model processes a 54-second video in just one minute in actual testing, which is very attractive to users who want faster ai upscaling videos speeds.
- Offer 4K upscaling and frame interpolation.
- Models optimized for different video types.
- Allow batch importing and applying presets to multiple videos.
- Not compatible with macOS.
- Features are limited compared to other AI video upscaling software.
Part 3. 4 Best Free Online AI Video Upscalers in 2026
7. AVCLabs Online AI Video Enhancer
AVCLabs Online AI Video Enhancer is also a top recommendation for online AI video upscaling software. Its core algorithm and model are the same as the desktop version, so it provides relatively stable and natural video enhancement.
If you don't want to download an application or your device has limited performance, using a professional online AI video enhancement tool like AVCLabs is a more lightweight and convenient option. It also offers free credits for testing its features.
- Support 2x video upscaling for clearer and sharper output.
- Allow online preview of enhanced videos.
- Use the same core AI algorithms as the desktop version.
- Fewer customization options compared to the desktop version.
- Plays almost any video/audio format.
8. Vmake AI Video Enhancer
Vmake AI Video Enhancer supports one-click online upscaling of low-quality videos to 4K resolution. It's recommended to use its Video Enhancer feature instead of the Video Upscaler. Testing showed that the Video Upscaler's quality improvement was not significant, while Video Enhancer AI offered superior enhancement performance.
Its AI Video Enhancer provides more model options, such as 4K Upscaling and AI 4K Upscaling, as well as a De-AI model specifically designed to optimize AI-generated videos, which can be used to correct video distortion, improve facial details, and enhance overall realism.
- Upload up to 3 files at a time with a paid subscription plan.
- Provide multiple AI enhancement models.
- Support multiple video formats, including MP4, MOV, M4V, 3GP, and AVI.
- Limited preview size and small comparison panel.
- Limited manual controls and advanced settings.
9. Media.io Video Enhancer
Media.io Video Enhancer is a web-based free AI video upscaling software that offers multiple enhancement modes, such as Anime Enhancer and Portrait Enhancer supporting 2x and 4x upscaling, as well as Video Denoise for reducing noise and improving video clarity. One of its biggest highlights is its simple and efficient operation process, supporting one-click generation of enhanced videos and one-click sharing to YouTube, which makes video optimization and sharing more efficient and convenient.
👉️ Read More: How to Enhance Video Resolution and Reduce Noise?
- Free credits are provided for upscale video AI free.
- Multiple modes for video quality enhancement.
- Offer multimodal editing for more flexible post adjustments.
- Previewing video upscaling effects is not supported.
- Support only two video formats, mp4 and mov.
10. Cutout Pro
Cutout.Pro Video Enhancer is an installation-free online AI video upscaler that improves video clarity and detail through a browser. The tool supports previewing and downloading the first 5 seconds of the enhanced video, allowing users to compare and confirm the results before exporting. As a web-based tool, it is relatively file-size friendly, supporting up to 2GB video files, which is more lenient than some other online video upscalers.
- Support GIF upscaling and enhancement.
- Intuitive one-click workflow without additional operations.
- A top choice for fast and easy online video upscaling.
- Lack of AI upscaling model options and output options.
- Require a stable network connection when processing long videos.
FAQ About Video Upscaling SoftWare
Can I upscale a 1080p video to 4K?
Yes, you can use AI video upscaling software to upscale 1080p videos to 4K resolution. Besides the video upscalers mentioned above, tools like Capcut can export low-resolution videos as 4K, utilizing AI video super-resolution to fill in missing details as much as possible.
What is the best free 4K upscaler?
If you're looking for a free AI video upscaler without watermark, Video2X is one of the most popular open-source AI video upscalers. However, its installation and configuration are complex and not beginner-friendly.
For users seeking more automation and a user-friendly experience, tools like AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI are highly recommended—they offer advanced AI models, high-quality 4K/8K upscaling, noise reduction, and one-click enhancement while maintaining ease of use.
Discover the truth about AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI cracked versions, potential risks, and legal ways to get AVCLabs for free in 2026.Learn more > >
Conclusion
If you need professional-grade restoration with advanced model control, desktop solutions like Topaz Video and AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI offer powerful customization and higher-resolution output. For users who prefer convenience and browser-based processing, AVCLabs Online AI Video Enhancer and Vmake AI Video Enhancer provide faster, installation-free alternatives.
