Best 3 FREE Image Upscalers in 2024 + Comparison!

PiXimperfect
30 Dec 202309:36

TLDRThe video script introduces viewers to various free and open-source tools for image upscaling, emphasizing the ease of use and compatibility across different operating systems. It highlights the capabilities of 'Upscale with a Y' for its no-strings-attached usage and customizable settings, as well as other platforms like DB and Photoshop. The comparison of upscaling results, including the detail preservation and processing time, guides users in making an informed choice based on their system's capabilities and their specific needs.

Takeaways

  • 🆓 There are free upscalers available that do not require signing up or jumping through hoops.
  • 🖥️ Upscale with a Y is a highly motivated free tool available for Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.
  • 📂 Once installed, the app can upscale images without needing internet access, supporting all major formats.
  • 🖼️ Users can choose different upscaling models and adjust the level of upscaling (2x, 3x, 4x) in the settings.
  • 📂 The upscaled images are exported to the same folder by default, but users can choose a custom output folder.
  • 🔄 Upscaling at higher multiples, such as 16 times, can put a heavy load on the system.
  • 🌐 DB.LOL offers free image upscaling tools, but users may have to wait their turn due to high demand and limited resources.
  • 💻 Pixel Cut is recommended for users with less powerful systems and offers batch upscaling capabilities.
  • 🔍 Comparisons between different upscaling tools show that while results may vary, all three (Photoshop, Pixel Cut, and Upscale with a Y) provide improved results over the original image.
  • 🕒 Upscale with a Y stands out for its ability to process images on the user's own system and offers a variety of models to choose from.
  • 💡 The video encourages users to consider donating to support the free services provided by these tools.

Q & A

  • What is the primary focus of the video?

    -The video focuses on evaluating and comparing various free image upscalers available for different operating systems, such as Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.

  • How does the 'Upscale with a Y' tool work?

    -Upscale with a Y is a free tool that can be downloaded and installed on your system without requiring an internet connection. Users can drag and drop their images, select a model, and choose the upscaling factor to enhance the image resolution.

  • What are the advantages of using 'Upscale with a Y'?

    -The advantages of 'Upscale with a Y' include its ease of use, support for all major image formats, and the ability to upscale images without needing an internet connection. It also offers customization options like selecting the upscaling factor and choosing different models for upscaling.

  • How does the 'db. LOL' image upscaler function?

    -The 'db. LOL' image upscaler is a web-based tool that offers free upscaling services. Users can upload their images, select the desired upscaling model, and wait for their turn to process the image. However, the free service may involve waiting times due to high demand and is funded by advertisements.

  • What is the main drawback of the 'db. LOL' platform?

    -The main drawback of 'db. LOL' is that the free upscaling service can have significant waiting times, as users have to wait for their turn to process the images, which can take up to 15 minutes or more depending on the platform's traffic.

  • How does 'Pixel Cut' differ from other upscaling tools mentioned in the video?

    -Pixel Cut is an upscaling tool that can be used without signing up or paying. It offers batch upscaling, allowing users to upscale thousands of photos using their system's resources. The tool also provides the option to select different upscaling models and offers a high level of customizability.

  • What are the results of the comparison between Photoshop's upscaling and other tools?

    -The comparison shows that while Photoshop's upscaling improves the image quality, it may create harsh lines and unsatisfactory fur details. Pixel Cut and Upscale with a Y, on the other hand, provide better results with more natural-looking enhancements and fewer artifacts.

  • How can users support the developers of these free tools?

    -Users can support the developers by donating if they find the tools helpful and want to contribute to maintaining and improving the services. For instance, the video mentions supporting Piximperfect on Patreon to keep it free for everyone.

  • What is the significance of the 'Donate' button in the settings of some tools?

    -The 'Donate' button is a way for users to contribute financially to the developers of the tools. This support helps to cover the costs of maintaining and improving the free services offered by these tools.

  • What are the key factors to consider when choosing an image upscaling tool?

    -Key factors to consider include the ease of use, the level of customization available, the quality of upscaling, whether the tool requires an internet connection, and the potential waiting times for processing, especially for free services.

  • What is the recommendation for users with powerful systems?

    -For users with powerful systems, the recommendation is to use 'Upscale with a Y' as it offers the best performance, allows for batch processing, and provides a high level of customizability with different upscaling models.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introducing a Free Image Upscale Tool

This paragraph introduces a free and open-source image upscaler that doesn't require any sign-up or complicated steps to use. It's available for multiple operating systems including Linux, Mac OS, and Windows. Users can simply download and install the tool on their systems, allowing them to upscale images without the need for internet access. The tool supports all major formats and offers various upscaling models that can be tested by the user. It also provides settings to choose the upscaling factor, such as 2x, 3x, or 4x. The output is automatically saved in the same folder, but users can select a custom output folder as well. The paragraph emphasizes the tool's ease of use and effectiveness, even for high-resolution upscaling tasks.

05:00

🌐 Comparing Different Upscaling Platforms and Techniques

The second paragraph discusses the comparison of different image upscaling platforms and techniques. It starts by describing the use of a free online tool, DB LOL, which offers image upscaling among other tools. However, this platform operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which can lead to waiting times for users. The paragraph then moves on to discuss Pixel Cut, another upscaling tool that allows batch processing without the need for a subscription. It compares the results of upscaling using Photoshop, Pixel Cut, and the previously mentioned tool, highlighting the differences in quality and processing time. The paragraph concludes with a recommendation for using Pixel Cut for users with less powerful systems and Upscale with a Y for those who require batch processing and have a powerful system. It also mentions the flexibility of Upscale with a Y in terms of selecting different models and customizing the upscaling process.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscaler

An upscaler is a software tool or algorithm that increases the resolution of an image or video. In the context of the video, it refers to free tools available for users to enhance the quality of their images without the need for online access or subscription. The script mentions an 'upscale with a Y' which is an example of such a tool, supporting various formats and allowing users to choose different upscaling models.

💡Free and Open Source

Free and open source refers to software or tools that are available without any cost and with source code that can be freely accessed, used, modified, and shared. In the video, the presenter is looking for an upscaler that fits this description, emphasizing the ease of use and accessibility for users across different operating systems like Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.

💡Linux

Linux is a free and open-source operating system based on the Unix operating system. It is one of the most widely used operating systems for servers and is known for its stability and security. In the video, Linux is mentioned as one of the platforms on which the upscaler tool can be installed, highlighting the tool's compatibility with various operating systems.

💡Mac OS

Mac OS, also known as macOS, is the operating system developed by Apple Inc. for their Mac computers. It is known for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Apple products. The video script mentions Mac OS as one of the platforms that support the free upscaler tool, emphasizing the tool's cross-platform availability.

💡Windows

Windows is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft, used on personal computers, tablets, and other devices. It is one of the most popular operating systems globally. In the video, Windows is mentioned as one of the compatible platforms for the upscaler, indicating that the tool can be easily installed on a Windows system by using an executable file (.exe).

💡Drag and Drop

Drag and drop is a graphical user interface action that allows users to move or copy data from one place to another by pressing and holding a mouse button, dragging the object, and releasing the mouse button at the desired location. In the context of the video, drag and drop is used to describe the simple process of selecting an image for upscaling by dragging it onto the upscaler tool.

💡AI Models

AI models, or artificial intelligence models, are algorithms or systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and understanding language. In the video, AI models refer to the different upscaling algorithms that users can choose from to enhance their images, each offering a unique approach to increasing image resolution.

💡Batch Process

Batch processing refers to the ability to process a group of tasks, files, or data sets automatically and sequentially without the need for individual intervention. In the context of the video, batch processing is a feature of the upscaler tool that allows users to upscale multiple images at once, saving time and effort.

💡Customizability

Customizability refers to the ability of a product or service to be tailored or modified to meet specific user needs or preferences. In the video, customizability is a key feature of the upscaler tool, as it allows users to select different upscaling models, adjust the level of upscaling, and even upload their own models for a personalized upscaling experience.

💡Donate

Donating refers to the act of giving money or resources to support a cause, organization, or project, often without expecting anything in return. In the video, the presenter encourages users to consider donating to support the continued development and free availability of the upscaler tool, highlighting the voluntary nature of such contributions.

💡Patreon

Patreon is a platform that allows creators to receive financial support from their fans or patrons on a subscription basis. This support helps creators to continue producing content or developing tools. In the video, Patreon is mentioned as a platform where supporters contribute to keep the upscaler tool free for everyone.

💡Image Quality

Image quality refers to the clarity, sharpness, and overall visual appeal of an image. It is determined by factors such as resolution, color depth, and compression. In the video, image quality is a central theme as the upscaler tools are evaluated based on their ability to enhance and improve the quality of images without introducing artifacts or distortions.

Highlights

An upscaler that is free and does not require signing up is available, called upscale with a Y.

Upscale with a Y is available for Linux, Mac OS, and Windows, making it accessible on multiple platforms.

For Windows, installation is as simple as clicking on the exe installer, while for Mac OS, the DMG file is used.

Once installed, the app can be used offline and supports all major image formats.

Users can choose different upscaling models and adjust the level of upscaling, such as 2x, 3x, or 4x.

The app allows users to drag and drop their images or select them from a folder to upscale.

Upscaled images are exported to the same folder by default, but users can choose a custom output folder.

Attempting to upscale an image by 16 times puts a heavy load on the system but yields impressive results.

The platform db. LOL offers a range of free tools, including an image upscaler, funded by ads.

Using db. LOL's image upscaler requires waiting in a queue due to high demand for the free service.

Pixel Cut is another tool that allows batch upscaling without the need for a subscription.

Comparing the results of upscaling with different methods, Pixel Cut outperforms Photoshop's upscaling in terms of detail preservation.

Upscale with a Y, Pixel Cut, and db. LOL's upscaling produce almost identical results in some cases.

Upscale with a Y offers the advantage of selecting different AI models and customizing the upscaling process.

For users with powerful systems, Upscale with a Y is recommended for batch processing and model selection.

The video concludes by thanking the supporters of piximperfect on Patreon, who help keep the service free for everyone.