Upscayl

Free, open-source desktop app that upscales images with AI on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Verified facts: 4 of 4
Alternatives ranked: 5
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Upscayl

Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop app for AI image upscaling. You drop in a photo, illustration or AI-generated image, pick a model and a scale factor, and it enlarges the image while sharpening detail, processing everything locally on your GPU. It handles single images and whole folders, lets you add custom upscaling models, and works on Windows, macOS and Linux. Because nothing is uploaded, it is a common choice for people upscaling client work or private photos, and many use it as a free substitute for paid upscalers in hosted suites. The desktop app is AGPL-licensed and free to download from the website, though the Mac App Store edition is paid, and the team also runs a separate paid cloud service. It needs a Vulkan-compatible GPU and doesn't generate new images from prompts.

Best for: Anyone who wants free, private AI upscaling on their own computer.

What works

Free and open source on all desktop systems
Runs locally, nothing uploaded
Batch upscaling and custom models

Why people leave

Upscaling only, no generation or editing
Needs a compatible GPU
Less creative detail than Magnific-style upscalers

Top Upscayl alternatives

See all 5

1
Magnific (formerly Freepik)
Hosted creative upscaler that invents more detail, as part of a paid suite.
66.5
2
Krea
Several upscalers, including Topaz models, in one hosted subscription.
62.6
3
Clipdrop
Quick browser upscaling with a free daily quota.
59.6
4
ComfyUI
Build custom upscaling pipelines alongside generation, free and local.
57.2
5
Draw Things
Free on-device upscaling and generation on Apple devices.
55.3

Why people left Upscayl

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Upscayl: common questions

Is Upscayl free?

Yes. Upscayl is free, open-source software.

Is Upscayl open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at upscayl/upscayl.

What platforms does Upscayl run on?

Upscayl is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.

What are the best alternatives to Upscayl?

The highest-ranked Upscayl alternatives right now are Magnific (formerly Freepik), Krea and Clipdrop. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 Upscayl alternatives

Upscayl facts

4 of 4 verified

License: AGPL-3.0; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “License: AGPL-3.0 (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0).”
Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows; Checked Oct 25, 2026upscayl.org(opens source in a new tab); “Upscayl anywhere Cross Platform Upscayl Desktop is available for Linux, MacOS and Windows.”
Price: Free and open source; Checked Oct 25, 2026upscayl.org(opens source in a new tab); “Free and Open Source Upscayl Desktop is completely free and open source.”
Mac App Store edition: Paid (direct download is free); Checked Oct 25, 2026upscayl.org(opens source in a new tab); “You say Upscayl Desktop is free but the Mac App Store version is not.”