Yes, Upscayl's desktop app is free and open source for Windows, macOS and Linux. The paid part is Upscayl Cloud, a separate online service that runs on credits, with a free trial of 10 credits before you pay.
So there are two Upscayls, and most confusion comes from mixing them up. The desktop app runs on your own computer at no cost. Upscayl Cloud runs on Upscayl's servers and adds things like storage and AI image generation. Here's how each one works, from Upscayl's own website, pricing page and GitHub project, checked as of October 2026.
Upscayl Desktop: free and open source
Upscayl's home page says Upscayl Desktop continues to be its image upscaler for Linux, macOS and Windows, and calls it "Free and Open Source": download once, forever yours. The GitHub project describes it as a free and open source AI image upscaler and says the backend is open source under the AGPLv3 licence.
It uses AI models to enlarge and enhance low resolution images by guessing what the missing details could be, built on Real-ESRGAN and Vulkan. You can choose between different models for different kinds of image, and the README points to extra community models you can add.
The catch: you need a suitable graphics card
This is what trips people up. Upscayl's README says you'll need a Vulkan compatible GPU to upscale images, and that many integrated graphics chips won't work, nor will most CPUs on their own. If your laptop only has basic built-in graphics, the free app may not run your upscales at all.
The README also sets expectations on quality: Upscayl can enhance low resolution and pixelated images, but it can't de-blur or fix focus. If your photo is out of focus, it's the wrong tool.
Upscayl Cloud: the paid service
Upscayl Cloud is what the pricing page covers. It's credit-based, with one-time purchases or a subscription, and you pick how many credits you expect to use each month.
| Option | What the pricing page lists |
|---|---|
| Free Trial | 10 credits included. Log in, fill in the trial application and that's it. |
| Pro Plan | $24.99 for 300 credits a month, rollover of unused credits, priority support, 6 months unlimited storage, upscale up to 256MP, AI image generation |
| Business | Up to 512MP images; listed as not available at the 300 credit level |
| Custom | Custom amount of credits and unlimited storage; contact Upscayl for pricing |
Prices are as shown on Upscayl's pricing page for the 300 credit monthly option as of October 2026. The page also offers 100, 500, 1000, 2500 and 5000 credit levels, and annual billing.
Two notes on the page matter if you subscribe: if you cancel your plan, subscription credits won't roll over and are lost, and your Upscayl history is lost after 1 month. When I checked, the pricing page also showed a notice that Upscayl was having issues with its payments platform.
What Upscayl Cloud adds over the free app
Upscayl's home page lists what the Cloud version brings beyond the desktop app:
- AI upscaling up to 16x, with several models, which Upscayl says is 10x faster than before
- Colour accuracy that preserves details and colours for printing
- Unlimited cloud storage, so you can reach your files from anywhere
- Image editing with AI face enhancement and detail recovery, with batch processing
- AI image generation from a text description, in several artistic styles
- Access from desktop, mobile and tablet
If you're technical, the desktop project also has a command line tool called upscayl-ncnn, and Mac users can install the app with Homebrew. Neither costs anything.
Desktop or Cloud: which should you use?
| Upscayl Desktop | Upscayl Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free trial, then credits |
| Runs on | Your computer | Upscayl's servers |
| Needs | Vulkan compatible GPU | A browser and an account |
| Platforms | Windows 10+, macOS 12+, Linux | Desktop, mobile and tablet |
| Extras | Choice of models, batch upscaling | Storage, face enhancement, AI image generation |
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How to install Upscayl Desktop for free
- Check your computer has a graphics card that supports Vulkan. Integrated graphics may not work.
- Download the installer for your system from Upscayl's official website or its GitHub releases page.
- On Windows, run the .exe; if SmartScreen warns you, the README says to click More Info and then Run Anyway.
- On a Mac, open the .dmg and drag Upscayl into Applications, then right click it and choose Open the first time.
- Pick a model, choose your image and output folder, and run the upscale.
If your computer can't run it, my round-up of the best AI image upscalers covers browser options, and my guide to a free photo enhancer is the place to start for old or soft photos.
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My verdict: is Upscayl free?
Yes, if you use the desktop app. Upscayl Desktop is free and open source, and it's one of the few upscalers you can run on your own computer without a subscription, as long as you have a Vulkan compatible GPU. Upscayl Cloud is the paid add-on: as of October 2026 its Pro Plan was $24.99 for 300 credits a month, after a 10 credit free trial. Try the free app first; only pay for Cloud if your machine can't run it.
For a heavier commercial option, see whether Topaz Labs is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Upscayl completely free?
The desktop app is free and open source. Upscayl Cloud is a separate paid service with a 10 credit free trial.
Is Upscayl safe to download?
Download it only from Upscayl's official website or its GitHub releases page. The project's code is public under the AGPL-3.0 licence.
Why won't Upscayl work on my laptop?
Upscayl needs a Vulkan compatible GPU. Its README says many integrated graphics chips and most CPUs won't work.
How much is Upscayl Cloud?
As of October 2026 the Pro Plan was $24.99 for 300 credits a month, with other credit levels and annual billing available.
Can Upscayl fix blurry photos?
Not out-of-focus ones. Upscayl's README says it enhances low resolution and pixelated images but can't de-blur or fix focus.
Does Upscayl work on Mac?
Yes. The desktop app supports macOS 12 and later, and can also be installed with Homebrew.
Do Upscayl Cloud credits roll over?
On the Pro Plan, unused credits roll over each month. If you cancel, subscription credits are lost and your history goes after 1 month.
Is there an Upscayl command line tool?
Yes. Upscayl's README says the CLI tool is called upscayl-ncnn, and like the desktop app it's free.
