Best AI Video Upscaler Tools (2026 Edition): Turn Old, Blurry Videos Into Crisp 4K

The first time I tried to repurpose an old product demo video for a landing page, it looked… awful.
Blurry edges. Pixelated text. Faces that looked like they were filmed through a potato.

The video worked in 2019.
But in 2026? Not a chance.

That moment pushed me down a rabbit hole that most creators, marketers, and founders eventually hit:

“How do I upscale video quality without re-shooting everything?”

That’s where AI video upscalers come in, and honestly, they’ve gotten scarily good.

In this guide, I’ll break down the best AI video upscaler tools in 2026, what actually works (and what doesn’t).

I’ll also discuss how to choose the right one depending on your use case, whether you’re a YouTuber, SaaS marketer, filmmaker, or just trying to clean up old footage.

What Is an AI Video Upscaler

An AI video upscaler uses machine learning models to increase a video’s resolution (for example, from 720p to 4K) without simply stretching pixels.

Instead of guessing, AI:

Reconstructs missing details
Sharpens edges
Reduces noise and compression artifacts
Enhances faces, text, and motion frames

That’s the key difference between traditional upscaling and AI upscaling.

How We Picked These Tools

Accuracy and consistency of upscaling results
Support for 4K and 8K output formats
Processing speed and cloud optimization
Batch-rendering capabilities
Value for price and subscription flexibility
Accessibility for non-technical users

Best AI Video Upscaler Tools in 2026 (Tested & Compared)

I’m not listing tools just to list them.
These are actually useful, popular in the US market, and globally trusted.

HitPaw VikPea

HitPaw VikPea – best all-round AI enhancer for personal creators
What it is: A desktop and cloud-based video enhancer that unblurs, colorizes, and restores videos in one click.
Standout features:

AI models for upscaling and denoising
Frame interpolation for smoother playback
Face refinement engine
Cloud and device co-processing
Pricing: From $43.19 monthly to $350.39 perpetual license
Best for: YouTubers and short-form video editors
Pros:
Multi-device support
Excellent credit-based options
Reliable for batch upscaling
Cons:
Requires good GPU for desktop use
No mobile app version yet

AnyEnhancer

AnyEnhancer – best AI upscaler for color restoration
What it is: A full-suite enhancer for de-noising and recoloring aged or low-light footage.
Standout features:

One-click AI models for upscale and color fixing
Supports all major codecs
Lifetime purchase option
Pricing: S$38.27 per month or S$355.07 one-time license
Best for: Post-production teams and documentary editors
Pros:
Simple UI
Lifetime upgrade plan
Cons:
Limited cloud credits
Slow on large 4K batches

Nero

Nero – best suite for casual video editors and AI upscaling
What it is: A multimedia platform offering AI-powered enhancement inside its Platinum Suite.
Standout features:

AI Pro Pass for media optimization
Built-in burning and conversion tools
Hardware acceleration support
Pricing: From S$66.58 yearly to S$72.57 permanent license
Best for: Windows users needing all-in-one video software
Pros:
Trusted brand ecosystem
Offline functionality
Cons:
Outdated interface
AI tools need manual setup

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI

AVCLabs – best professional AI upscaler for studios
What it is: Dedicated AI software for video and photo enhancement with deep learning models.
Standout features:

Advanced denoise and deblur options
4K upscaling with frame stabilization
Batch processing for multiple clips
Pricing: $39.95 per month (Video Enhancer AI)
Best for: Film editors and VFX studios
Pros:
High-precision upscaling
Intuitive interface
Cons:
Subscription-only
Heavy CPU/GPU load

VidHex AI Video Enhancer

VidHex – best for cloud video enhancement at scale
What it is: An AI tool offering parallel cloud processing for video optimization.
Standout features:

Lifetime credit-based cloud plans
Supports 5 parallel jobs
Real-time AI noise reduction
Pricing: From $31.92 monthly to $359.90 for 10,000 credits
Best for: Teams processing large volumes of videos
Pros:
Scalable cloud usage
Lifetime credit validity
Cons:
No offline mode
Higher pricing for individual users

Real-time Low-Resolution Video Upscaler

Real-time Low-Resolution Upscaler – best instant solution for live streams
What it is: A deep-learning service that upscales 360p and below to 720p in real time.
Standout features:

Live AI processing pipeline
Minimal latency
Zero installation required
Pricing: See site for latest pricing
Best for: Streaming and live broadcast applications
Pros:
Works instantly on web platforms
Great for old archive videos
Cons:
Limited output resolution
Requires constant internet connection

Aimages

Aimages – best browser-based AI upscaler
What it is: An online AI video and image enhancer with credit plans.
Standout features:

Pay-as-you-go credit system
Supports image and video enhancement
Cloud-hosted AI rendering
Pricing: €0 Free plan, €11 Standard, €25 Premium, €61 Elite
Best for: Freelancers and light video editors
Pros:
No recurring fees
Easy browser workflow
Cons:
Slow for large clips
No offline option

VanceAI Video AI

VanceAI – best all-purpose AI upscaler for 4K and denoising
What it is: A one-stop AI suite for video smoothing and upscaling.
Standout features:

AI models for motion enhancement and noise reduction
Flexible subscription plans
Cloud dashboard with preview rendering
Pricing: $49.99 per month or $119.99 per year
Best for: Agencies and post-production studios
Pros:
Excellent results for 1080p to 4K upscale
Consistent output quality
Cons:
Limited batch features
Cloud-only model

Vidux AI

Vidux AI – best premium solution for cinematic upscaling
What it is: A GPU-accelerated AI engine focused on 8K mastering and shot restoration.
Standout features:

Neural texture reconstruction
Scene-adaptive noise reduction
HDR frame enhancement
Pricing: From $69 per month
Best for: Film and OTT restoration teams
Pros:
Excellent 8K pipeline
Enterprise-grade cloud API
Cons:
Steeper pricing
Complex UI for beginners

Topaz Video AI

Topaz Video AI – industry-standard upscaler for editors
What it is: A desktop software that upscales, deinterlaces, and interpolates frames with exceptional accuracy.
Standout features:

Trained deep-learning models
Multi-GPU optimization
Built-in stabilization
Pricing: $299 one-time purchase
Best for: Filmmakers and restoration professionals
Pros:
Studio-level results
Lifetime license
Cons:
High hardware requirements
Large install size

HitPaw Video Enhancer AI (Cloud Edition)

HitPaw Cloud – best for instant 4K conversion in browsers
What it is: A cloud extension of HitPaw VikPea for fast batch upscaling.
Standout features:

No-install browser workspace
Auto facial detail refinement
Pricing: Starts at $29 per month
Best for: Content agencies
Pros:
Works on any device
Good credit usage tracking
Cons:
Requires high upload speeds

Movavi Video Enhancer

Movavi AI – simplest upscaler for beginners
What it is: A desktop app integrating AI restoration within Movavi Suite.
Standout features:

Auto brightness and denoise
Direct export to MP4/AVI
Pricing: $54.95 per year
Best for: Social media video editors
Pros:
Simple controls
Smooth export pipeline
Cons:
Limited 4K detail recovery

UniFab AI Video Enhancer

UniFab AI – best lightweight 4K and color-correction enhancer
What it is: A tool specialized in quick AI upscaling with GPU acceleration.
Standout features:

Super-resolution enhancement
Color calibration models
Subtitle-safe processing
Pricing: $49.99 lifetime license
Best for: Marketing teams and YouTubers
Pros:
Fast rendering
Low learning curve
Cons:
No cloud option yet

Comparison Table

Tool	Best For	Output Quality	Platform	Pricing Model	Batch Processing
HitPaw VikPea	Creators	4K	Desktop + Cloud	Monthly / Perpetual	Yes
AnyEnhancer	Color Restoration	4K	Desktop	Monthly / Lifetime	Partial
Nero	Casual Editors	HD / 4K	Desktop	Annual / Perpetual	No
AVCLabs	Studios	4K / 8K	Desktop	Monthly	Yes
VidHex	Teams	4K	Cloud	Credit Based	Yes
Aimages	Freelancers	1080p / 4K	Web	Credit Based	Limited
VanceAI	Agencies	4K	Cloud	Monthly / Yearly	Yes
Topaz Video AI	Filmmakers	8K	Desktop	One-time	Yes
Movavi AI	Beginners	HD	Desktop	Annual	No
UniFab AI	Marketers	4K	Desktop	Lifetime	Yes

Why AI Video Upscaling Matters More in 2026 Than Ever

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Video quality is no longer optional.

In 2026:

4K is the baseline on most devices
AI Overviews prioritize high-quality visual content
Users bounce in seconds if a video looks outdated
Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram compress aggressively

AI upscaling helps you:

Repurpose old content
Improve conversion rates on landing pages
Future-proof your video library
Save thousands in reshoots

That’s why these tools are exploding right now.

How to Choose the Right AI Video Upscaler (Without Overthinking It)

Ask yourself one simple question:

“What am I actually using this video for?”

YouTube or film projects? → Topaz Video AI
Marketing or social content? → Runway
Editing professionally already? → Adobe Premiere AI
Old family videos? → DVDFab
Quick, cheap upgrades? → HitPaw

The “best” tool is the one that fits your workflow, not the one with the most features.

Benefits of Using AI Video Upscaler Tools

These tools improve visual quality, reduce compression noise, and extend the lifespan of legacy footage.

They save editing time, enable 4K exports without reshooting, and help marketers and filmmakers maintain brand quality across platforms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Upscaling Videos

Let me save you some frustration:

Upscaling already compressed videos too aggressively
Ignoring frame rate mismatches
Over-sharpening faces
Using social-compressed files as source footage

Rule of thumb:
Start with the highest quality source you have, AI can enhance, not perform miracles.

Related Reads

Final Thoughts: AI Video Upscaling Is No Longer Optional

AI Video Upscaler Tools in 2026 deliver studio-grade quality to every creator.

In 2026, blurry video doesn’t just look bad, it hurts credibility.

AI video upscalers let you:

Extend the life of old content
Compete visually with bigger brands
Move faster without reshoots
Deliver better experiences globally

Whether you want to rejuvenate old clips or prepare 8K-ready visuals, the right upscaler saves hours and unlocks professional results instantly.

Explore your options, test free trials, and choose the one that aligns with your workflow, your videos deserve the sharpest version of themselves.

FAQs

1. What makes an AI upscaler different from normal video enhancers?
AI upscalers rebuild missing pixel data using neural networks instead of filters, giving sharper, more realistic detail.

2. Can these tools upscale audio as well?
Most focus only on visuals, but some like HitPaw and VanceAI offer optional audio-denoise modules.

3. Will AI upscaling affect file size?
Yes. Higher resolution and bit-depth generally increase output size, though codecs like HEVC can manage compression efficiently.

4. Is cloud processing secure?
Reputable vendors encrypt all uploaded footage and auto-delete files within 24–48 hours. Always review each platform’s privacy policy.

5. Which free AI upscaler is worth trying first?
Aimages’ free plan and VanceAI’s limited trial are good starting points before upgrading.

6. Can I upscale live streams?
Yes. Real-time low-resolution upscalers or OBS plug-ins support on-the-fly enhancement for streaming content.