Topaz Video alternative: free, private, in-browser image upscaling

Topaz Video is built for frequent, professional video enhancement. ClearPix is for the opposite job: a short clip or image you want to improve now, without installing software, creating an account or buying a subscription. Both process media locally; the difference is setup, cost and intended workload.

Topaz Video vs ClearPix, at a glance

Topaz VideoClearPix
PrivacyDesktop application — media processing stays on your machineAlso local — no upload and no installation
Cost$299/year, or $33/month billed to $399/yearFree, no sign-up, no credits
SetupDesktop install; documented OS, memory and model requirementsRuns in a modern browser with WebGPU or WASM fallback
Best fitFrequent professional video enhancement and longer projectsOccasional short clips and images with no setup

Frequently asked questions

Does Topaz Video upload my images?

Desktop application — media processing stays on your machine. ClearPix works differently: Also local — no upload and no installation.

When is Topaz Video the better choice?

You enhance video frequently and want a dedicated desktop application rather than a browser tab.

Is ClearPix really free?

Yes. ClearPix runs the AI models on your own device, so there is no server cost to pass on to you — no credits, no sign-up, no resolution lock, and no watermark on your export.

Try both tools — free, in your browser

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Engineering deep-dive: Browser Image Upscaling: How We Got 4× Super-Resolution 14× Faster — Then Made It Slower on Purpose

Try the difference right now. No sign-up, no upload — the tool below runs entirely on this page, on your own device.

Drop your image here, or click to browse

PNG / JPG / WebP — longest side up to 2048px for in-browser processing · You can also paste an image (⌘V)

No image handy?

What is AI super-resolution?

Real-ESRGAN is a neural network trained on real-world image degradation. Unlike a simple resize, it reconstructs plausible high-frequency detail — sharper edges, recovered texture, cleaned-up compression artifacts. ClearPix runs the model in overlapping tiles on your own GPU (WebGPU) or CPU (WebAssembly), so even large images process safely without any server.

When to use 2× vs 4×

  • 4×— small thumbnails, compressed social-media saves, AI-art drafts.
  • 2×— moderate enlargements where you want a natural, less sharpened look.
  • For very large sources, downsize first and let the model rebuild the detail.

Only process images you own or have explicit permission to modify.

When Topaz Video is the better choice

We would rather earn your trust than your click. Choose Topaz Video — or another dedicated tool — when:

  • You enhance video frequently and want a dedicated desktop application rather than a browser tab.
  • Your projects need longer timelines or a professional editing workflow instead of short-clip, on-demand processing.
  • You have supported hardware and prefer Topaz’s dedicated models and controls over a simpler 2×/4× tool.

Facts & sources

Every claim about Topaz Video on this page comes from public sources, re-verified on the date shown. If something has changed, the source link is the authority.

ClaimSourceVerified
Topaz Video costs $299/year prepaid, or $33/month ($399 total for the year).docs.topazlabs.com2026-10-25
Topaz Video is a desktop application with documented operating-system, memory, storage and model requirements.docs.topazlabs.com2026-10-25
The app needs internet access for activation, model downloads, updates and cloud rendering, even though media processing can stay local.docs.topazlabs.com2026-10-25