Upscayl is a free, open-source AI image upscaler for Windows, Mac, and Linux that can increase image resolution by 4x or 8x using neural network models like Real-ESRGAN. Download it from upscayl.org, load an image, choose a model, and click Upscayl — the result is a significantly sharper, higher-resolution version of the original. The only requirement is a Vulkan-compatible GPU, which covers most dedicated graphics cards made after 2016.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 23, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Upscayl is completely free and open-source — no subscription, no watermarks, no usage limits.
- A Vulkan-compatible GPU is required. Most NVIDIA cards from GTX 900 series onwards and AMD RX 400 series onwards are supported. Integrated Intel graphics may not work.
- The Double Upscayl feature achieves 8x upscaling by running two consecutive passes — best used on images under 1024×1024 pixels to avoid overshooting.
- Batch mode processes an entire folder of images at once, saving upscaled copies to a separate output folder automatically.
- Different AI models (Real-ESRGAN, Remacri, Ultramix, Digital Art) produce different results — try 2–3 models on your image type before committing to one.
Quick Steps
- Download Upscayl from upscayl.org and run the installer
- Launch Upscayl and click Select Image to load the photo you want to upscale
- Choose an upscaling model (start with the default Real-ESRGAN)
- Set the output folder and file format (PNG recommended for quality)
- Click Upscayl and wait for processing to complete
- Compare the original and upscaled images using the built-in slider
What is Upscayl and How Does It Work?
Upscayl uses AI models — primarily Real-ESRGAN — to analyze the pixel structure of a low-resolution image and generate a plausible high-resolution version. Instead of simple interpolation (which just blurs and stretches pixels), these models predict what additional detail should exist based on patterns learned from millions of images. The result is a sharpened, higher-resolution image that looks genuinely better rather than just bigger.
The processing happens entirely on your local GPU — nothing is uploaded to a server. On a mid-range card like an RTX 3060, a 4x upscale of a 1024×1024 image takes under a minute. The 8x “Double Upscayl” mode runs the same process twice and takes 2–3 minutes on the same hardware.
System Requirements: Do You Need a Vulkan GPU?
Upscayl requires a Vulkan-compatible GPU to run. Most modern dedicated graphics cards support Vulkan — NVIDIA GTX 900 series and newer, AMD RX 400 series and newer, and Intel Arc GPUs all qualify. Older integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000 and below, older AMD APUs) typically do not support Vulkan and will fail to process images.
If you’re unsure whether your GPU supports Vulkan, just install and run Upscayl. If it throws an error on the first upscale attempt, the GPU isn’t compatible. For a budget GPU upgrade that would handle Upscayl and much more, see the best graphics cards for every budget guide.
How to Use Upscayl
The Upscayl interface is straightforward. After loading an image, you have three key decisions to make before clicking Upscayl: which model to use, whether to enable Double Upscayl, and what format to save the output in.
Choosing the Right Settings
Upscayl Model: Start with the default Real-ESRGAN model. It’s the most versatile and works well on photos, AI-generated images, and general artwork. If you’re upscaling digital illustrations or anime-style art, try the Digital Art model instead — it preserves clean lines better than the photo-optimized models.
Double Upscayl (8x): This option runs the upscaling process twice, achieving 8x resolution instead of 4x. It works best on small source images (under 1024×1024) — applying it to an already-large image produces diminishing returns and takes much longer to process.
Output Format: PNG preserves full quality with no compression artifacts. Use JPG if you need smaller file sizes and the image will be used on a website. WEBP offers a balance of quality and file size for web use.
Tip: After upscaling, Upscayl shows a side-by-side comparison slider so you can drag across the image to see the original versus the upscaled version. The difference is most dramatic on faces, text, and fine textures.
Batch Upscaling: Process Entire Folders at Once
Batch mode lets you point Upscayl at a folder and upscale every image inside it in one go. The results are saved to a separate subfolder, so originals are never overwritten. Double Upscayl (8x) is not available in batch mode — you’ll get 4x upscaling for all images in the batch. For large folders, run the batch overnight — processing time scales linearly with the number of images.
Comparing Upscayl Models: Which One Should You Use?
Different models produce noticeably different results. Real-ESRGAN (the default) adds realistic texture and detail to photographs and AI art. The Remacri and Ultramix models tend to produce softer, smoother results that work better for portraits where you don’t want over-sharpened skin texture. Digital Art sharpens edges cleanly and is ideal for illustrations, logos, and sprite art.
My recommendation: run the same image through 2–3 models and compare in the built-in slider before committing to one. Processing takes under a minute per pass, so trying multiple models is fast. For a list of other useful free tools like Upscayl, check out 10 free software tools you’ll wish you found sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upscayl completely free to use?
Yes — Upscayl is 100% free and open-source. There are no subscriptions, no usage limits, no watermarks, and no features locked behind a paywall. The full source code is available on GitHub under an open license.
What GPU do I need to run Upscayl?
Any Vulkan-compatible dedicated GPU works — NVIDIA GTX 900 series and newer, AMD RX 400 series and newer, and Intel Arc. Most integrated GPUs (Intel UHD/Iris, older AMD Vega iGPUs) do not support Vulkan and will cause Upscayl to fail at processing time. If you’re unsure, try it — the error message is immediate and clear.
Can I upscale multiple images at once?
Yes — use the Batch Upscale tab in Upscayl. Select the input folder and an output folder, choose your model and settings, then click Upscayl. All images in the folder will be processed sequentially and saved to the output folder. Double Upscayl (8x) is not available in batch mode — you’ll get 4x for batch operations.
What output file formats does Upscayl support?
Upscayl can save upscaled images as PNG, JPG, or WEBP. PNG is lossless and gives the best quality. JPG produces smaller files at the cost of some compression artifacts. WEBP balances quality and file size well for web use. The input image format doesn’t affect which output formats are available.
Does Upscayl send my images to a cloud server?
No — all processing happens locally on your GPU. Upscayl doesn’t upload your images anywhere. The AI models are downloaded once during setup and run entirely on your machine. This makes it suitable for processing private or sensitive images that you wouldn’t want to send to a third-party service.
