Upscayl
by Upscayl
Upscayl is a free, open-source desktop application that enlarges and enhances images with AI models. It processes images locally through Vulkan-compatible graphics hardware and supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Why Abandoned
The official website remains available, and the public GitHub repository continues to publish releases and receive development activity.
💵 Pricing & access
- Pricing model
- Not documented
- Starting at
- Not documented
- Official site
- Visit Upscayl →
🩺 Health Signals
- HTTP Status
- 200
- Response
- —
- SSL
- —
- Confidence
- 97%
- Domain expires
- —
- Last content change
- —
- Last tweet
- —
- API status
- —
📅 Timeline
Upscayl launched publicly
The project's first public GitHub release, version 1.1.0, made the open-source AI image upscaler available for desktop users.
Linux Foundation coverage highlighted Upscayl
Linux Foundation's Open Source Stories profiled Upscayl as an open-source AI image-upscaling application created by Nayam Amarshe and Tushar Gupta.
Upscayl 2.15.0 released
The project's GitHub releases page lists version 2.15.0, demonstrating continued maintenance of the desktop application.
🔄 Alternatives to Upscayl
Adobe Firefly
🟢ActiveAdobe's generative AI tool for creating images, text effects, and design elements.
Canva Magic
🟢ActiveSuite of AI tools within Canva for image generation, text-to-image, and design assistance.
Stable Diffusion
🟢ActiveOpen-source text-to-image AI model by Stability AI, allowing local and cloud-based image generation.
🪦 Other dead Design & Graphics tools
Clipdrop
🟡Acquired / MergedClipdrop is a suite of AI-assisted image editing and generation tools for removing backgrounds and objects, relighting scenes, upscaling images, replacing backgrounds, and creating images from text or sketches.
Magnific AI
🟡Acquired / MergedMagnific AI is a generative image upscaling and enhancement tool. It enlarges images while using text prompts and adjustable controls to reconstruct details, sharpen outputs, and apply creative transformations.
remove.bg
🟡Acquired / Mergedremove.bg is an online image-editing service that automatically detects foreground subjects and removes image backgrounds. It offers a web app, desktop integrations, plugins, and an API for automated workflows.
Galileo AI
🟡Acquired / MergedGalileo AI was a generative design tool that turned text prompts into editable user-interface designs. The service was acquired by Google in 2024, and its public website now redirects to Google Stitch.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Upscayl used for?
Upscayl enlarges low-resolution images and attempts to restore or sharpen details using AI upscaling models. It is commonly used for photographs, illustrations, digital art, and other raster images.
Is Upscayl free and open source?
Yes. Upscayl's desktop application is distributed as open-source software, with source code and releases available through its public GitHub repository.
Does Upscayl process images locally?
Yes. The desktop app performs upscaling on the user's computer rather than requiring every image to be uploaded to a remote service.
Which operating systems support Upscayl?
Upscayl provides desktop builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Hardware and driver compatibility can vary because local processing relies on Vulkan-capable graphics support.
Does Upscayl require a GPU?
Upscayl generally requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU or integrated graphics device for its desktop upscaling pipeline. Users should consult the current project documentation for hardware-specific limitations.