Upscaling AI Images: Topaz Photo AI vs the Free Upscayl - Which is Better?
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Upscaling AI Images: Topaz Photo AI vs the Free Upscayl - Which is Better?
Introduction
Hello, thanks for tuning in. If you sell AI images online, you know that you need to upscale them first. But do you know which upscaler to use? There are some paid upscalers and some free ones. Today, we're going to test a paid upscaler called Topaz Photo AI and compare it with a free upscaler named Upscayl from upscale.dorg. Which one is better? Should you use one over the other, or use a combination of both? Let’s find out.
Overview
Please watch till the end to see all the images that I'm going to be upscaling using different tools and AI models. This will help you make a better decision. You can also download these images from my website to see which one is better. Let’s dive in!
Testing Topaz Products
I recently received an email from Topaz Labs announcing an update to Gigapixel AI and offering a $ 20 discount. Despite already owning Topaz Photo AI, I wanted to take advantage of the offer and compare it with Gigapixel AI. After testing, I found that they are very similar. I decided to ask for a refund within the 30-day period, which they approved. While I no longer have Gigapixel AI activated, I can still use it in demo or trial mode.
Since Topaz Gigapixel AI and Topaz Photo AI are so similar, I will simplify this review and compare Topaz Photo AI against the free upscale tool, Upscayl. This can also be considered a comparison with Topaz’s Gigapixel AI.
Free Upscale Tool
Upscayl is available from upscale.dorg and can be installed on Linux, MacOS, or Windows. Check their website for system requirements.
We will be running a few images through both tools using various AI models. I'll upscale images from MidJourney to 4K, essentially performing four times upscaling. I'll test both illustrations and photorealistic images to see how they perform.
Image Details
The names and descriptions of all images downloaded from MidJourney are being displayed. There is a mixture of illustrations and photorealistic images generated in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The images were upscaled using both Topaz Photo AI and the free tool, Upscayl. Each tool has its own AI models that produce different qualities.
Results
The upscaling tool and model that works best depends on the image. I've already upscaled these images using the different tools and AI models, and will show you the results.
At the top of the preview window, you'll see the image name, which tells you the image that was upscaled, the tool used, and the AI model.
Conclusion
Please leave any comments or questions in the comments section. I will provide a link for you to download the images if you're interested in examining them.
In my case, I use the paid Topaz Photo AI upscaler but have also included the free Upscayl in my workflow. You may decide differently, maybe even opting for Topaz Gigapixel AI while it's on special.
Hopefully, this article helps you make an informed decision regarding which upscaling tool to use.
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Keywords
- AI Upscaling
- Topaz Photo AI
- Gigapixel AI
- Upscayl
- MidJourney
- Image Quality
- Free vs Paid Tools
- Upscaling Models
- 4K Upscaling
- System Requirements
FAQ
Q1: What are the differences between Topaz Photo AI and Gigapixel AI?
- A: They are very similar in functionality and performance. After testing, many users, including myself, find minimal differences.
Q2: Can I use Upscayl on any operating system?
- A: Yes, Upscayl is available for Linux, MacOS, and Windows. Check the upscale.dorg website for specifics on system requirements.
Q3: What types of images were tested in the comparison?
- A: Both illustrations and photorealistic images, generated by MidJourney, were tested.
Q4: How do I decide which upscaler to use?
- A: It depends on your personal needs and the type of images you're working with. Testing both tools with your images can help.
Q5: Are there any free alternatives to Topaz Photo AI?
- A: Yes, Upscayl is a free alternative that can produce good results.
Q6: Can I download the upscaled images for comparison?
- A: Yes, you can download the upscaled images from my website to examine and make a better decision.