10 Best Free AI Video Upscaler to Upscale Video to 4K/8K

Summary: Are you tired of low-quality videos that just don't cut it in today's high-definition world? Look no further than the 10 best free AI video upscaler to upscale video from 480p/720p to 4K/8K. If you are looking for an affordable yet powerful AI video upscaling software to upscale videos, or a versatile AI video enhancer to improve overall quality, try VideoProc Converter AI.

The ability to upscale videos to higher resolutions has long been a holy grail of video technology. Standard definition and low-resolution footage can look blurry, grainy, and lack detail. Artificial intelligence has now made it possible for anyone to upscale their videos to super-sharp 4K quality and beyond. AI video upscaling uses machine learning algorithms trained on massive datasets to intelligently fill in missing details and textures, effectively rebuild videos at higher resolutions., and make them ready to be enjoyed on the latest 8K televisions and displays. Below, we have collected the 10 best free AI video upscalers that you can easily leverage to upscale blurry and pixelated footage to sharp high-def video, showcasing the power of modern video enhancers. Read on!

💡 How We Test

To ensure each AI video upscaler listed here delivers reliable and high-quality results, we ran all tools using the same test footage under consistent conditions.

• Test environment: Intel(R) Core i5-11400F CPU @ 2.60GHz, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, Windows 11 64-bit.
• Test video: A 10-second 360p clip with visible blur, camera shake, and compression noise. Source video: MP4/360p/605KB.
• Test criteria: We evaluated each software based on its ability to upscale the video to 4K, reduce blur and noise, improve stability, and preserve or restore fine details. Tools were also assessed for processing speed, ease of use, and format compatibility.

Find a more detailed breakdown about how we test in the following section.

10 Best Free AI Video Upscaler to Upscale Video to 4K/8K

1. VideoProc Converter AI

Overall Best free AI video upscaling software to upscale videos of any sort. Lightweight, less hardware consumption, no artifacts or frame loss.

Rating: 9.8/10 by Digital Photography School

Platform: Windows; Mac

After testing several ai video upscaler on both Windows and macOS, I found that VideoProc Converter AI delivers one of the most consistent performances in its category. It achieves a strong balance between output quality, processing speed, and hardware efficiency, making it a dependable choice for users seeking reliable AI video enhancement without overloading their system.

In actual tests, the 4K video upscaler was able to upscale videos and images by 200%, 300%, and even 400%, effectively turning older or low-resolution footage into crisp, detailed visuals suitable for HD or 4K playback. The results were clean and stable, with minimal artifacts, color distortion, or flickering - common issues I noticed in other upscaling software.

Beyond its core function as an AI video upscaler, VideoProc Converter AI also integrates AI stabilization, frame interpolation, and noise suppression. These additions make it particularly capable of handling fast-moving or high-motion content, such as sports or gaming clips, producing smooth, visually refined results.

In comparison with other best AI video upscalers, VideoProc Converter AI stands out for its lightweight design and efficient GPU memory management. Even during real-time upscaling tasks, it maintained smooth operation and delivered consistent visual improvement. For anyone looking for a practical and efficient video upscaling software to AI upscale video from 1080p to 4K or to restore older footage with more natural detail, it remains one of the most well-rounded options available today.

Price: Free; $39.95/year (3PCs), $65.95 for a lifetime license (1PC), $89.95 for a family lifetime license (up to 5 PCs).

Experience VideoProc Converter AI's video upscaling in action:

Features:

• Supports AI upscaling for videos and images by up to 400%, reaching 4K, 8K, and 10K resolutions.
• Equipped with the latest AI Super Resolution models, trained on diverse datasets to accurately restore details, reduce noise, and preserve natural textures across various video types.
• Offers both Fast Mode and High Quality Mode, allowing you to balance processing speed and output precision based on your project needs.
• Lightweight design with low hardware consumption, enabling faster rendering and higher upscaling efficiency.
• All-in-one AI video upscaling solution: enhances resolution, boosts frame rates, deblurs, denoises, deinterlaces, and restores fine details.
• Includes advanced AI tools such as frame interpolation, video stabilization, slow motion, face restoration, noise suppression, and colorization.

Pros:

• Upscales videos up to 400%, delivering 4K, 8K, and 10K with restored details.
• Boosts frame rates up to 5x, supporting 60fps, 120fps, 240fps, and 480fps for smooth slow motion.
• Latest AI models speed up processing by up to 80% without quality loss.
• Processes multiple videos at 1080p–4K with minimal lag on mid-range hardware.
• A beginner-friendly AI video upscaler

Cons:

• Processing time may increase on extremely high-resolution videos.
• For optimal performance, the software benefits from relatively modern hardware:
  *NVIDIA: GeForce GT 630 or higher
  *Intel: HD Graphics 2000 or higher
  AMD: Radeon HD 7700 series (VCE 1.0) or higher
  Apple Silicon: M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra, M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max

How to AI Upscale Video with the Best Free AI Video Upscaler

Step 1. Free download the best AI video upscaling software, run it, and click the 'Super Resolution' tab on the home page.

Step 2. Import the videos that you wish to upscale by dragging or clicking the +/Add Media icon. You can add multiple videos at one time.

Step 3. Select the desired upscaling model to upscale your video:

• Gen Detail V3: generate more details, clarity, and sharpness for your videos, and deliver better quality.
• Real Smooth V3: tailored for video restoration, smoothing, flaw elimination, and enhanced fidelity.
• Anime: upscaling and restoring anime videos on older computers.
• Zyxt: enhance the resolution of low-quality video on older computers.

💡 Tips:

• It is recommended to use the latest generative AI upscaling models (Gen Detail V3 and Real Smooth V3) for the best upscaling results; if you are using an older computer, you can opt for the Anime or Zyxt models, which are designed to perform efficiently on less powerful hardware.
• Select between 'Fast Mode' or 'High Quality Mode' based on your preference for either improved upscaling speed or quality.

Step 4. Choose a scale option to enhance your video resolution by 2X, 3X, or 4X, or use the output resolution presets (1080p/2K/4K) directly to specify the output video size you want.

Step 5. (optional) you can cut video to upscale only a specific segment, and change video codec, audio codec, GOP, and output folder to your liking. Hit the Run button to start the AI video upscale process.

Besides videos, this AI upscaler also works nicely for images. For instance, you can use VideoProc to increase the resolution of old photos, low-res illustrations, and AICG pictures such as upscaling MidJourney images.

My Experience with VideoProc AI's Video Upscaling

I tried upscaling several videos from low resolution to 4K using VideoProc Converter AI, and I was impressed by how fast and smooth the process was. Fast Mode in particular made the workflow noticeably quicker without sacrificing quality. 👍

The upscaled videos came out crisp and detailed, with vibrant colors and smoother motion. Even clips that were blurry, noisy, or low-FPS were significantly improved—the textures looked more natural, and the playback was much smoother.

Overall, my experience showed that VideoProc strikes a solid balance between speed and output quality, making it a reliable choice for both casual projects and more demanding video work.

🏆 VideoProc Converter AI is rated as the No.1 best free video upscaler by many trusted websites. Check some of them:

• Best AI Video Upscalers (2025) - medium.com
• Best AI Image Upscalers for Ultra Clarity in 2025 - tweaktown.com
• Improve Video Quality Using a Top AI Video Upscaler - pcworld.com

      Excellent

2. Topaz Video AI

Best for skilled users to enhance video quality with AI.

Rating: 9.2/10 by Neil Chase Film

Platform: Windows 10/11 (build 19041 v2004 and above); Mac 10.14 Mojave+ for CPU, 10.15 Catalina+ for GPU support

Topaz Labs Video AI leverages advanced deep learning and machine learning algorithms to upscale low-resolution videos up to 8K, while preserving fine details, textures, and natural colors. It can reduce noise, remove compression artifacts, and enhance clarity, making older or low-quality footage look significantly sharper. Users can also adjust color grading, contrast, and other visual parameters for greater creative control. With support for different frame rates and resolution targets, the AI video upscaler offers flexibility for a wide range of content, making it a versatile tool for videographers and filmmakers who want to enhance video quality with AI.

In practice, however, some users - especially professionals working with archival footage or detailed textures - have noted occasional issues with Topaz Video AI. The AI video upscaling processing can sometimes produce over-smoothed textures, subtle artifacts, or unnatural “plastic” appearances, particularly on faces or fine details like animal fur. Certain color and noise adjustments may require additional manual correction to achieve the desired look. Additionally, Topaz’s relatively high hardware requirements and large model files may limit flexibility on older machines.

Despite these considerations, Topaz Labs Video AI remains one of the best video upscaler for skilled users who want precise control over video enhancement and are comfortable with its technical demands.

Price: Topaz Video AI is available via annual subscription, with the Personal plan at $33/month (billed annually, total $396 + tax) and the Pro plan at $67/month (billed annually, total $804 + tax). Users can also opt for the Topaz Studio subscription, which includes all Topaz apps, at $37/month for Personal or $75/month for Pro, offering expanded features and commercial use.

Features:

• Upscales videos to 4K, 8K, or even 16K with support for 60fps and 120fps playback.
• De-interlaces footage and applies motion interpolation up to 16x for ultra-smooth playback.
• Corrects motion issues with deblurring and shake stabilization, enhancing visual clarity.
• Creates cinematic slow-motion sequences.
• Offers basic editing tools such as trimming, cropping, and duplicate removal for workflow convenience.

Pros:

• Preserves fine details when upscaling to 4K, 8K, or 16K.
• Supports 16x motion interpolation for smooth video playback.
• Stabilizes shaky footage and reduces motion blur.
• Allows batch processing of multiple videos.
• Provides real-time previews while editing.
• Can resume edits after a crash or power loss.

Cons:

• Requires powerful CPU/GPU and at least 32GB RAM.
• Advanced settings may be difficult for beginners.
• Overuse of some tools can create unnatural, over-smoothed visuals.
• Processing large or high-resolution videos takes longer.
• Price is high for non-professional users.
• Subscription model may frustrate some users, since it requires a full-year commitment.

My Experience with Topaz Video AI's Video Upscaling

Using Topaz Video AI, I found the video upscaling software delivers high-quality upscaling, effectively enhancing details, textures, and colors while smoothing motion and reducing shake. Batch processing makes it convenient to handle multiple videos at once, though rendering large files can take longer. While the AI features and cinematic enhancement tools are impressive, I found the subscription model somewhat inconvenient, as it requires a full-year commitment. Overall, it remains a versatile choice for both professional and hobbyist videographers.

3. Aiarty Video Enhancer

Best for enhancing lower-resolution or imperfect video footage to high-definition clarity.

Rating: 9.5/10 by PetaPixel

Platform: Windows and Mac

Aiarty Video Enhancer provides a straightforward and efficient AI video upscaling experience, enhancing both old and low-resolution videos with notable clarity and detail. The AI video upscaler effectively reduces noise, removes blur, and restores textures, producing natural-looking results without over-smoothing. Its lightweight design ensures smooth performance even on mid-range hardware, making it accessible for a wide range of users.

Batch processing and multiple AI enhancement tools, including frame interpolation, stabilization, and slow-motion support, allow for versatile video editing. While it may lack some of the advanced cinematic controls found in other professional tools, Aiarty excels at quick, high-quality upscaling, making it an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced users who want fast results.

Price: Free trial; $79/year; $165.00/lifetime (for 3PCs)

Features:

• Uses advanced AI to upscale low-resolution videos to 4K, enhancing clarity, detail, and sharpness.
• Offers three specialized AI models tailored for different enhancement scenarios.
• Includes AI frame interpolation to smooth motion and create consistent slow-motion effects without frame distortion.
• Provides audio noise removal and color correction tools for improved vocal clarity and precise control over white balance, exposure, contrast, and saturation.
• Turbo mode delivers up to 3× faster upscaling at real-time 30fps, supporting efficient workflow.
• Supports batch processing and offline processing, making it convenient for multiple videos without internet dependency.

Pros:

• Maintains consistent quality across various video types
• Efficient batch processing for multiple clips.
• Beginner-friendly interface with access to advanced AI models.
• Stable offline performance without cloud dependency.
• Balanced output size; upscaled videos remain manageable.

Cons:

• Turbo mode may slightly soften fine details in high-motion footage.
• 8K upscaling is slower and less optimized than 4K.

My Experience with Aiarty's AI Video Upscaling

Aiarty Video Enhancer impressed me with its speed and reliability. Even on mid-range hardware, it handled upscaling smoothly, restoring detail and clarity in older, compressed, or low-light footage. I appreciated how the integrated audio cleanup and color tools streamlined the workflow, so I didn’t have to switch between multiple apps.

While it’s not designed for full cinematic production, Aiarty delivers consistent, high-quality 4K results with minimal fuss. Features like Turbo mode and batch processing make the video upscaler ideal for creators who need quick, dependable enhancement without a steep learning curve.

4. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI

Best for improving video resolution and clarity through AI.

Rating: 9.0/10 by Software Testing Help

Platform: Windows; Mac

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is another powerful AI video upscaler that utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance both video quality and resolution. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, the 4K video upscaler analyzes footage at a granular level and reconstructs missing details with impressive precision, delivering sharper, more defined results. The Optimized Face Enhancement Algorithm intelligently restores facial features without introducing artificial artifacts, while the Video Blur function provides automated face blurring for privacy or creative control. Noise reduction and artifact mitigation are handled effectively, producing consistently clean and refined output suitable for both professional projects and high-quality personal content.

Price: Limited free trial; a one-month plan for $39.95; a one-year of use for $119.95; a lifetime license for $299.90.

Features:

• Upscales videos from 480p to 4K/8K with AI-enhanced clarity and detail.
• Reduces noise and motion blur for smoother visuals.
• Frame interpolation enables natural slow-motion effects.
• Face refinement and portrait enhancement for sharper facial features.
• Supports batch processing and offline mode for efficient and private workflow.
• Compatible with modern formats: H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1.

Pros:

• Produces visually polished 4K/8K videos with minimal artifacts.
• Smooth slow-motion playback feels natural, even for shaky or compressed footage.
• Handles multiple videos simultaneously.
• Beginner-friendly interface.
• Offline processing ensures privacy and stable performance without cloud reliance.
• Enhances faces and colors without needing separate editing software.

Cons:

• A bit expensive; relatively high requirement for computer configuration.
• The software may not be suitable for professional video upscaling tasks as it offers limited customization and control over the enhancement process.
• Only the first 3 videos are free under the trial version.

My Experience with AVCLabs's AI Video Upscaling

In my testing, AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI delivered noticeable improvements in clarity and detail for low-resolution footage. Videos that were previously blurry or noisy now exhibit sharper edges, cleaner textures, and more natural colors. The face enhancement tool performed subtly and effectively, avoiding the overprocessed look seen in some other AI upscalers. The automated blur feature for privacy purposes was reliable, handling faces without manual adjustments.

Processing times were reasonable for 1080p to 4K upscales, though higher-resolution footage or complex scenes required more time, as expected with intensive AI computations. Overall, it offers a strong balance of output quality and usability, making it a dependable choice for content creators and professionals seeking refined video enhancement without a steep learning curve.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Best for the top professionals to upscale and enhance video quality.

Rating: 9.0/10 by PCmag

Platform: Windows; Mac

Adobe Premiere Pro stands out as a professional-grade video upscaler for enhancing video resolution and overall visual clarity. While it is first and foremost a comprehensive video editing platform, its suite of AI-assisted tools - such as Auto Reframe, Scene Edit Detection, and integrated Lumetri color adjustments - enables editors to upscale footage, recover fine details, and refine textures in low-resolution or compressed videos. These AI features intelligently analyze each frame to maintain natural motion, reduce artifacts, and preserve color fidelity, ensuring that upscaled videos look professional rather than artificially enhanced.

Its support for 4K, 8K, and higher-resolution formats allows older recordings, streamed footage, or compressed clips to be brought closer to contemporary standards, making it a versatile AI video upscaler for both archival restoration and modern content production.

Price: $20.99 per month.

Features:

• AI video upscaling to 4K, 8K, and higher resolutions.
• Auto Reframe and Scene Edit Detection for intelligent frame adjustments.
• Lumetri Color panel for precise color grading and tonal enhancement.
• Integrated noise reduction and motion stabilization for smoother playback.
• Supports both compressed and archival footage, maintaining natural textures.
• Seamless integration with After Effects for advanced compositing and visual effects.

Pros:

• Offers professional-grade upscaling while preserving detail and natural motion.
• Flexible control over frame-level adjustments and color, beyond simple AI upscaling.
• Handles large, multi-layered projects efficiently on high-performance systems.
• Enables recovery of older or low-resolution footage to near-modern standards.
• Combines AI upscaling with editing workflow, avoiding the need for multiple software.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners.
• High system requirements; requires robust CPU/GPU for smooth 4K/8K upscaling.
• Processing and rendering times can be long for ultra-high-resolution videos.
• Less immediate “one-click” automation compared to dedicated AI upscalers.
• The 'audio out of sync in Premiere' error occurs occasionally.

My Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro's AI Video Upscaling

Using Adobe Premiere Pro for AI video upscaling provides a highly precise and professional workflow. Unlike dedicated one-click AI video upscalers, Premiere Pro offers frame-level control over upscaling, color grading, and motion, allowing older 720p or 1080p footage to be intelligently scaled to 4K or 8K. Its motion interpolation and stabilization maintain natural fluidity without introducing noticeable artifacts. Although rendering ultra-high-resolution projects can take time, the ability to combine upscaling with detailed editing and compositing makes Premiere Pro a standout choice for professional editors.

On the downside, Premiere Pro requires robust hardware and a solid understanding of its AI-assisted tools to fully leverage its capabilities. Beginners may find the learning curve steep, but for experienced editors, it delivers unmatched flexibility and precise control over the final output.

6. Nero AI Video Upscaler

Best AI video upcsaler to upscale and enhance part of the video image without pre-cutting.

Rating: 7.0/10 by PCMag

Platform: Windows 10/11, online, and mobile.

Nero AI Video Upscaler is a powerful and user-friendly video upscaler that enables you to enhance videos up to 4x their original quality. With its intuitive interface, simple steps, and impressive image quality, it offers a seamless solution for content creators, marketers, and individuals seeking to improve the quality of their videos and leverage a robust AI video enhancer.

The video upscaling software features Super Resolution up to 4x, allowing you to upscale videos to a remarkable 4K resolution; the Noise Reduction removes noise and grain from videos, ensuring crystal-clear and detailed visuals; and Clip Selection enables you to enhance any clip within a video without the need for pre-cutting. With AI models tailored to various needs, including Fast, Animation, and Realistic modes, you can optimize your content for different purposes. Additionally, the software supports a maximum video input of 1920x1080, enabling you to upscale videos to their highest possible quality. Best of all, Nero AI Video Upscaler does not add watermarks to your output videos, ensuring an unobstructed viewing experience.

Price: limited free version; $84.95 per year or $195 for a lifetime license for one PC (Windows 10/11), including automatic updates.

Features:

• Utilizes advanced AI to upscale videos up to 4K resolution, enhancing clarity and detail.
• Effectively reduces noise and artifacts, restoring fine details for a cleaner image.
• Offers five distinct AI models tailored for various video types.
• Ease of use; allows for processing multiple videos simultaneously.

Pros:

• Sharp and detailed upscaled videos.
• Effective noise and artifact reduction.
• User-friendly interface, easy for beginners.
• Affordable lifetime license.
• Good performance on standard HD/4K footage.
• Retains natural textures in faces and objects.

Cons:

• Requires modern CPU and dedicated GPU.
• Limited advanced editing tools.
• Performance may drop on older hardware.

My Experience with Nero AI's Video Upscaling

Using Nero AI Video Upscaler felt straightforward and efficient. Upscaling 1080p footage to 4K was smooth, with noticeable improvement in clarity, textures, and overall visual quality. The AI models adapted well to different video types, and batch processing made handling multiple files easier. While high-resolution videos took longer to process, the video upscaling software remained stable throughout. Overall, it strikes a solid balance between performance, usability, and quality, making it a reliable choice for both casual and semi-professional video upscaling.

7. Real-ESRGAN

Best open source and free AI video upscaler to restore and upscale real-world or old video footage.

Rating: 8.5/10 by Aiarty

Platform: Windows, Linux, and MacOS

One of the biggest strengths of Real-ESRGAN is that it was specifically designed for real-world degraded media — not just ideal synthetic downscales. According to its authors, the open-source video upscaler uses a high-order degradation model during training (blur, noise, JPEG artefacts) so that it can more reliably restore textures and reduce artefacts in actual footage. In practical terms, users of older formats (VHS, MiniDV) report that Real-ESRGAN produces cleaner, more natural results compared to many simpler upscalers. In terms of video-specific use, Real-ESRGAN has been adapted or used in workflows for upscaling motion frames, not just still images: its general architecture and training pipeline lend themselves to frame-by-frame upscaling while managing noise and compression artefacts.

However - and this is important - Real-ESRGAN is not without its trade-offs. Because of its strong “detail generation” drive, in some cases it may introduce texture that wasn’t truly present (it is a GAN-based model, after all). Also, as with most AI upscalers, processing time and hardware requirements can be significant if you’re working with high-resolution video or long clips.

Overall, if you want one of the best upscalers suited for restoring or enhancing real video footage, Real-ESRGAN deserves a spot on your list. It’s well-suited for serious workflows where quality matters, though you’ll want to test and adjust parameters (scale factor, denoise strength, temporal smoothing) to get the best outcome.

Price: Free and open-source

Features:

• AI upscaling based on the Enhanced Super-Resolution GAN (ESRGAN) architecture.
• Trained with real-world degradations for realistic restoration.
• Supports upscaling by 2×, 4×, and even higher with consistent visual fidelity.
• Compatible with both images and video frames for flexible workflows.
• Open-source and actively maintained by the AI developer community.
• Can be integrated into custom pipelines or used via GUIs and third-party wrappers.

Pros:

• Produces highly detailed and natural-looking results with minimal artifacts.
• Excels at restoring old, low-quality, or compressed footage.
• Free and open-source, allowing customization and community support.
• Delivers video quality comparable to paid professional video upscaling tools.
• Handles texture and fine detail reconstruction exceptionally well.

Cons:

• Setup requires some technical knowledge; not ideal for beginners.
• Processing can be slow without a strong GPU.
• May occasionally generate over-sharpened or artificial textures on certain footage.
• Lacks a built-in video GUI interface for direct batch processing.

My Experience with Real-ESRGAN's Video Upscaling

After testing Real-ESRGAN on various clips, I was impressed by how naturally it restored details. Old SD videos gained depth and clarity without looking overly sharpened, and the model handled noise and compression surprisingly well. Upscaling a 480p clip to 1080p brought back textures I thought were lost, with minimal artifacts. While fast-motion scenes can appear slightly artificial at times, the overall quality and realism easily rival many paid tools.

8. CapCut

Best for content creators to upscale videos for social media for free.

Rating: 9.0/10 by PCMag

Platform: Windows, Mac, and web

CapCut’s AI Video Upscaler is designed for creators who want fast and visually pleasing results without diving into technical settings. During my tests, it upscaled short-form videos from 720p to 4K in just a few minutes while noticeably improving sharpness and color balance. The built-in AI enhancement also boosts contrast and smooths out noise, making clips instantly more polished and ready for social media. What I particularly liked is how seamlessly it integrates upscaling with CapCut’s full editing suite—you can enhance, trim, color-correct, and export all in one workflow.

However, the model tends to favor a slightly stylized look over perfect accuracy, so fine textures or film grain can sometimes appear softened. Still, for quick content upgrades and efficient editing, CapCut’s AI Upscaler is a solid choice that balances quality, speed, and ease of use remarkably well.

Price: Free version; one-year of use for $89.99.

Features:

• AI-powered upscaling up to 4K resolution.
• Built-in enhancement for color, contrast, and sharpness.
• Seamless integration with CapCut’s editing tools.
• Works on both desktop and mobile versions.
• Fast rendering optimized for social media formats.

Pros:

• Very easy to use with no technical setup needed.
• Quick processing and export times.
• Desktop version supports upscaling to 4K.
• Delivers vibrant, polished visuals ideal for online content.
• Intuitive interface, beginner-friendly; Multi-device support for flexible editing.

Cons:

• Online version limited to 2K upscaling.
• Slow processing for long or large videos.
• Limited control over upscaling parameters.

My Experience with CapCut's Video Upscaling

I found CapCut’s AI Upscaler extremely user-friendly and fast, effortlessly boosting several 720p clips to 4K in just a few minutes. The enhanced videos appeared brighter and sharper, with cleaner colors, giving them a more professional look for social media. Some fine details, like hair or fabric textures, were slightly softened, but overall the results were polished and ready to share. The tight integration with CapCut’s editing suite made the entire process smooth and convenient, ideal for quick content production.

9. HitPaw Video Enhancer

Best free AI video upscaling software for enhancing facial features.

Rating: 9.0/10 by Capterra

Platform: Windows; Mac

With a user-friendly interface, HitPaw Video Enhancer allows users to upscale videos up to 4K, reduce noise, and improve overall clarity with minimal effort. The 4K video upscaling software includes multiple AI models tailored to different content types. The General Denoise Model focuses on reducing noise and enhancing video quality, while the Animation Model restores and sharpens animated content. The Face Model improves facial features by smoothing skin and enhancing eye clarity, and the Colorize Model can add color to black-and-white footage. Together, these models make the software versatile, capable of handling a wide range of upscaling and enhancement needs.

While HitPaw Video Enhancer is generally praised for its ease of use and effective results, some users note that processing high-resolution videos can be slow. Additionally, the free trial has limitations such as restricted previews and disabled exports, which may affect the overall experience.

Price: Free trial; Mac: $70.39/month, $110.39/year or $350.39 for a Lifetime License; Windows: $43.19/month, $99.99/year or $350.39 for a Lifetime License.

Features:

• AI upscales videos up to 4K resolution.
• Multiple models for different content: denoise, animation, face, colorization.
• Noise reduction for clearer footage.
• Batch processing for multiple videos.

Pros:

• Intuitive, beginner-friendly interface.
• Produces noticeable improvements in clarity, color, and facial details.
• Quick and convenient for standard-length videos.

Cons:

• Requires a powerful computer for best performance.
• Slow processing on high-resolution videos.
• Quite expensive.

My Experience with HitPaw's Video Upscaling

HitPaw Video Enhancer impressed me with its simplicity and results. I tested it on noisy home videos and animated clips, and it enhanced clarity, color, and motion smoothly without manual adjustments. High-resolution videos took longer to process, but the AI models handled different content types well, delivering polished and consistent results.

10. UniFab Video Enhancer

Best for AI upscaling digitalized DVD files.

Rating: 9.0/10 by Software Testing Help

Platform: Windows

UniFab Video Enhancer is a comprehensive AI video upscaler designed to upscale and enhance video quality using advanced AI algorithms. It offers a range of features including resolution upscaling up to 8K, noise reduction, HDR conversion, and frame rate enhancement. The video upscaling software is equipped with multiple AI models tailored for different types of content, ensuring optimal results across various video genres. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible for both beginners and professionals.

During testing, UniFab demonstrated impressive performance, significantly improving video clarity and detail. However, the software's reliance on GPU acceleration means that users with lower-end hardware may experience slower processing times. Additionally, while the 30-day free trial offers full access to features, some users have reported minor bugs and interface inconsistencies. Despite these drawbacks, UniFab stands out as a powerful tool for those looking to elevate their video content.

Price: Limited free trial; UniFab Video Enhancer Pro $179.99 for a Lifetime License

Features:

• AI-powered video upscaling up to 16K resolution.
• Noise reduction and deinterlacing capabilities.
• HDR conversion and frame rate enhancement.
• Multiple AI models for different content types.
• Batch processing support.
• Intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Pros:

• High-quality video enhancement with improved clarity and detail.
• Supports a wide range of video formats and codecs.
• Regular updates and improvements.
• Comprehensive suite of tools for various enhancement needs.

Cons:

• Minor bugs and interface inconsistencies reported by some users.
• 30-day free trial may not be sufficient for extensive testing.
• Higher system requirements compared to some competitors.

My Experience with UniFab's Video Upscaling

UniFab made enhancing videos simple and effective. I tested it on both older and HD clips, and the AI upscaling improved clarity, detail, and color with minimal effort. High-resolution files took longer to process, and minor interface glitches appeared, but the final videos looked consistently sharp and professional.

The Best Free AI Video Upscaler Software Comparison Chart

After testing the best free AI video upscalers, I found that while they can deliver decent results, they often come with trade-offs. Topaz gives good detail but takes much longer to render, AVCLabs sometimes struggles with stability on long videos, and online free AI video upscalers are simply too slow for large files. In contrast, VideoProc Converter AI stood out by striking the perfect balance: it runs incredibly fast thanks to Level-3 GPU acceleration, keeps CPU usage low, and still produces crisp details, smooth motion, and vibrant colors. From my hands-on experience, it’s the only tool that consistently delivers both speed and quality, making it the most reliable AI video upscaler for real-world use.

How We Test the Best AI Free Video Upscaler

To bring you the most reliable free AI video upscalers and enhancers, we conduct thorough testing across several critical factors. Our process ensures that each tool excels in quality, performance, and user experience. Here's how we approach our evaluation:

• Upscaling Quality: We meticulously analyze the enhanced resolution, paying close attention to how well details are preserved, clarity is improved, and sharpness is maintained in the upscaled videos.
• Format and Resolution Compatibility: We test each upscaler's ability to handle a wide variety of formats and resolutions, from standard definition to 4K and even 8K, ensuring versatility across different video types.
• Processing Speed and Efficiency: We evaluate the software's speed and resource efficiency during video processing, focusing on its ability to upscale quickly without sacrificing quality, especially for large or high-resolution files. An efficient AI video enhancer should optimize this process.
• User Experience and Interface: We assess how intuitive and user-friendly the software is, from installation to regular use. We ensure that both beginners and professionals can easily navigate and utilize the features without a steep learning curve.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: We verify the software's compatibility across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, to ensure users can access the tool on their preferred platform without issues.

By rigorously testing each AI video upscaler across these key areas, we ensure that our top recommendations meet the highest standards. Whether you're enhancing personal projects or handling professional-level video production, the tools we feature are built to deliver optimal results that satisfy every need and skill level.

What Is AI Video Upscaling

AI video upscaling is a technique that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to upscale video from HD to 1080p/4K.

Traditional video upscaling involves implementing algorithms designed to fill the additional pixels with similar visual information in a way that makes the resulting video look clearer and more detailed, or create interstitial pixels to produce a smoother transition between low-resolution pixels. While an AI video upscaler performs the same function, it possesses an improved capability to recognize the image context and enhance the intricacy of the output. This is achieved through the utilization of deep machine learning models that have been trained on extensive datasets of high-resolution images and videos. These models learn to identify patterns and features in images and use the collected knowledge to generate higher-quality versions of the input video, making it a powerful video enhancer.

Take a piece of an old family video that was recorded on VHS tapes. The tape comes in low resolutions and has degraded over time, resulting in blurry and pixelated videos. Using AI video upscaling software, or an AI video enhancer, you can feed these low-resolution videos into the algorithm. The algorithm will then dissect the video into individual frames, analyze and predict the missing information in these areas, and cross-reference them with images or video footage from other frames or the training dataset to identify pixel patterns resembling those found. Subsequently, it adds additional pixels to generate a higher-resolution rendition of the original video, effectively AI upscaling videos and providing significant video enhancement.

What Is the Best AI Video Upscaler?

While there are many AI video upscalers on the market, not all of them balance speed, quality, and ease of use. From my own experience testing different tools, VideoProc Converter AI stands out as the best choice. It combines advanced deep-learning models with exclusive Level-3 GPU acceleration, allowing it to upscale videos up to 4K and even 8K at lightning speed without draining system resources. Unlike some AI video upscaling software that either produce artifacts, take hours to process, or require high-end hardware, VideoProc maintains crisp details, restores natural colors, and reduces noise effectively—even when working with old, blurry VHS footage or compressed online clips. With multiple AI models tailored for different content types (such as anime, films, or real-life recordings), it consistently delivers sharper, smoother, and more vibrant results. For anyone serious about enhancing video quality, VideoProc Converter AI is simply the most reliable and well-rounded AI video upscaler available.

FAQs

1. Can 1080p be upscaled to 4K?

Yes! By utilizing the AI video upscaling software outlined above, you can easily upscale 1080p to 4K. For a user-friendly yet robust AI upscale solution, try VideoProc Converter AI. Simply load the video you wish to upscale into the software, choose a preferred output, and the AI program will handle the rest. VideoProc Converter AI uses Super Resolution to maximally scale up your videos and images by 400% and enlarge them to up to 4K while delivering a natural result without artifacts and losing details.

2. What is the best free AI video upscaling software?

Among the 10 free AI video upscaling sotfware compiled above, VideoProc Converter AI stands out as the top choice. It features advanced AI-based upscaling and enhancement capabilities, enabling you to improve the quality of low-resolution videos by enlarging the pixels and scaling them up by 200%, 300%, or 400% to reach up to 4K resolution. Unlike the conventional upscaling techniques, the Super Resolution used in VideoProc Converter AI guarantees a more authentic result, minimizing artifacts and preserving details with minimal loss.