Best Photo Enlargement Software: 8 Great AI-Powered Programs in 2026

Introduction

Want to create a stunning large print from your favorite photo, but the resolution isn’t quite there? Photo enlargement software is the solution—and in 2026, AI-powered upscaling has reached remarkable new heights.

Modern photo enlarger programs don’t just stretch pixels and create blurry, pixelated messes. Instead, they use sophisticated machine learning algorithms to intelligently add new detail, recover texture, and maintain sharpness even when enlarging images to 400%, 600%, or even 1000% of their original size.

The AI upscaling revolution that began a few years ago has matured significantly. Today’s tools use diffusion models similar to those powering AI image generators—but in reverse, adding photorealistic detail rather than creating from scratch. The results can be genuinely impressive.

I’ve spent weeks testing the latest versions of all major photo enlargement programs to identify the absolute best options available today. Below, I share my top picks—both free and paid—with honest assessments of quality, ease of use, and value for money.

1. Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI

Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI remains my top choice for photo enlargement, and the 2025/2026 updates have made it even better. Since its launch as the first commercial AI upscaler in 2019, Topaz has continuously refined its models—and the latest diffusion-based additions are genuinely impressive.

The headline feature is the new Wonder model, which uses diffusion AI to recover previously unrecoverable images. It can upscale, sharpen, and denoise in one click—perfect for extremely low-resolution photos. The Standard MAX model offers even more precise, true-to-input restoration and is claimed to be 100x faster than first-generation diffusion models.

I tested various images at up to 6x enlargement, and the results remained remarkably sharp. The program now includes 9 AI models: Standard, High Fidelity, Low Res, Text & Shapes, Art & CG, Recover, Redefine, Face Recovery, plus the new Wonder and Standard MAX. Each is optimized for different scenarios—architecture shots benefit from the Text & Shapes model, while portraits look best with Face Recovery.

The major change is the pricing model. Topaz has shifted entirely to subscriptions—the Personal plan starts at $12/month (billed annually at $149) or $17/month with annual commitment. The Pro plan at $42/month adds full commercial rights and the Wonder model for local processing. While I understand frustration about losing the perpetual license option, the unlimited cloud rendering is a genuine benefit for users with older hardware.

You can also get Gigapixel AI as part of Topaz Studio ($33/month annually), which bundles it with Topaz Video, Topaz Photo, and other apps—solid value if you need multiple tools.

2. ON1 Resize AI 2026

ON1 Resize AI 2026 has been significantly upgraded with two powerful new AI models that put it in direct competition with Topaz. Formerly known as Genuine Fractals, it’s now a serious contender for photographers who need professional-grade enlargements.

The standout feature is the new Highest Quality model, which uses diffusion AI to rebuild lost detail with stunning realism. It’s ideal for tight crops, low-resolution images, and gallery-quality enlargements. The Standard model is optimized for speed and works well even on older GPUs—perfect for batch processing large numbers of images.

What sets ON1 apart is its focus on print production. The program includes tiling for mural-sized prints, gallery wrap margins for canvas printing, smart sharpening presets optimized for specific printers, and soft proofing to preview how your image will look when printed. If you regularly produce large format prints, these tools are invaluable.

ON1 Resize AI 2026 works as a standalone app or as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Capture One. Importantly, ON1 still offers a perpetual license option—you can buy it outright rather than subscribing. Pricing varies with frequent sales, but expect around $49-99 for the standalone app, or get it included with Photo RAW 2026.

3. Upscayl

If you want powerful AI upscaling without spending a cent, Upscayl is the answer. This free, open-source application has become incredibly popular—and for good reason. It delivers genuinely impressive results that often rival paid alternatives.

Upscayl runs entirely on your local machine, meaning your images never leave your computer. This is a significant privacy advantage over cloud-based alternatives. It works on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and includes multiple AI models optimized for different types of images.

The app supports up to 16x upscaling with a “Double Upscayl” feature that processes images twice for even better quality. Batch processing is included, so you can upscale entire folders of images in one go. There are no watermarks, no usage limits, and no subscriptions—download once and use forever.

In my testing, Upscayl produced excellent results at 2-4x enlargement, with good detail recovery and minimal artifacts. At higher multipliers, results become more variable, but the price (free!) makes it an easy recommendation. The main limitation is that it requires a decent GPU for optimal performance—processing on CPU alone is significantly slower.

Upscayl also offers a Cloud option for users who want faster processing or don’t have capable hardware. The cloud version is 10x faster than local processing and maintains color accuracy for printing, though it comes with a subscription cost.

4. Adobe Photoshop (Super Resolution)

If you already subscribe to Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Creative Cloud, you have solid photo enlargement capabilities built right in—no additional software required.

The Super Resolution feature in Adobe Camera Raw (accessible via Photoshop or Lightroom) uses machine learning to double your image dimensions while adding realistic detail. It works on RAW files as well as JPEGs and produces excellent results for 2x enlargement. Right-click any image in Camera Raw and select “Enhance” to access it.

For larger enlargements, you can still use the traditional Image Size tool with the “Preserve Details 2.0” resampling algorithm. It works well up to about 4x, though results get softer beyond that. You can run Super Resolution first, then use Image Size for additional scaling if needed.

The advantage of Photoshop is having your enlargement tool integrated with a full professional editing suite. You can upscale, then immediately apply sharpening, noise reduction, and other adjustments without switching applications. For occasional 2x enlargements within a broader editing workflow, Photoshop is hard to beat for convenience.

However, if enlarging images is a core part of your workflow and you regularly need 4x+ scaling, dedicated software like Topaz or ON1 will deliver noticeably better results.

5. Pixelmator Pro

For Mac users, Pixelmator Pro offers an elegant solution with its built-in ML Super Resolution feature. Now owned by Apple and part of Apple Creator Studio, it remains one of the best values in image editing.

The ML Super Resolution feature uses machine learning trained on millions of photos to intelligently enlarge images while preserving and enhancing detail. It’s not as specialized as Topaz or ON1, but the results are impressive and the integration with Pixelmator’s broader editing tools is seamless.

The biggest advantage is pricing flexibility. You can still purchase Pixelmator Pro outright for $49.99—a one-time payment with no subscription required. Alternatively, it’s included in Apple Creator Studio for $12.99/month (or $129/year), which bundles it with Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and other Apple creative apps.

Pixelmator Pro is optimized for Apple Silicon and runs beautifully on M-series Macs. The interface is clean and intuitive, with on-canvas controls that feel natural. If you want a capable image editor that happens to include solid upscaling capabilities—and you’re on Mac—Pixelmator Pro is an excellent choice.

6. BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 9

BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 9 has been a respected name in image enlargement for years, and the latest version introduces S-Spline Max AI—their new machine-learning powered interpolation technology.

The standout capability is extreme scaling. PhotoZoom Pro 9 can enlarge images to any size between 1×1 pixels and an incredible 1 million by 1 million pixels. If you’re creating billboard-sized prints or need massive resolution for specialized applications, this is the tool for you.

The S-Spline Max AI technology automatically eliminates noise and compression artifacts during enlargement, producing clean results even from low-quality originals. The split-screen preview is particularly useful—you can compare different enlargement methods side by side and choose the best result for each image.

PhotoZoom Pro 9 works as both a standalone application and as a plugin for Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Corel PHOTO-PAINT, PaintShop Pro, and Lightroom Classic. Batch processing handles multiple images efficiently, and there are numerous presets for different image types.

The price (€179, approximately $195) is higher than some alternatives, and the interface hasn’t received the modern makeover that competitors have. But for raw enlargement capability and the ability to work with truly massive output sizes, PhotoZoom Pro 9 remains a solid professional tool.

7. Let’s Enhance

Let’s Enhance is a browser-based AI upscaling service that’s particularly well-suited for e-commerce, print-on-demand, and quick one-off jobs where you don’t want to install dedicated software.

The service goes beyond simple upscaling—it can fix pixelation and blur, correct colors and lighting, remove JPEG artifacts, and prepare images for high-quality printing at 300+ DPI. The AI automatically optimizes results based on image content.

For businesses, Let’s Enhance offers an API for integration into existing workflows. This is particularly valuable for print-on-demand services that need to automatically enhance customer-uploaded images before production. The Claid.ai enterprise product extends these capabilities with additional e-commerce optimization features.

Pricing is based on per-image credits, which works well for occasional use but can add up for high volume work. For regular, heavy use, dedicated desktop software is more cost-effective. But for quick web-based upscaling when you’re away from your main workstation, or for integrating into automated workflows via API, Let’s Enhance is an excellent option.

8. Imglarger (AI Image Enlarger)

Imglarger (also known as AI Image Enlarger) is a versatile web-based platform that combines AI upscaling with a suite of other image enhancement tools.

The core feature is AI-powered image enlargement up to 8x resolution, with free users able to upscale at 2x and 4x. The AI maintains sharpness and clarity while enlarging, reducing the typical blur and pixelation problems of traditional upscaling.

What sets Imglarger apart is the additional functionality: AI background removal, image denoising, face retouching, an “AI Uncrop” tool that expands images beyond their original borders, and format conversion between JPG, PNG, WebP and other formats. It’s essentially a mini image editing suite in your browser.

The free tier limits uploads to 1200×1200 pixels and restricts some features, but it’s enough to test the service and handle occasional small jobs. Premium plans unlock higher resolution uploads (up to 4000×4000), 8x upscaling, and batch processing.

For users who need quick web-based upscaling plus additional editing capabilities—without installing software—Imglarger provides solid value. There’s also an iOS app (PhotoAI) for mobile processing.

Enlarge Your Photos with Powerful Software

The photo enlargement landscape has transformed dramatically with AI technology. Where we once accepted that enlarging meant losing quality, today’s AI upscalers can actually add realistic detail that wasn’t in the original image.

After extensive testing, I believe Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI remains the best option for pure quality, especially with the new diffusion-based Wonder and Standard MAX models. The subscription model may frustrate some users, but the results speak for themselves.

ON1 Resize AI 2026 is a close second and offers the advantage of a perpetual license option. Its print-focused features (gallery wrap, tiling, soft proofing) make it ideal for photographers producing large format prints.

For budget-conscious users, Upscayl is a revelation—genuinely impressive free and open-source AI upscaling that runs locally on your machine. It’s the clear choice for anyone who doesn’t want to pay for enlargement software.

Whatever your budget or workflow, there’s now an excellent photo enlargement tool available. The days of accepting pixelated, blurry enlargements are officially over.