AI platform for upscaling images, enhancing photos, and generating high-quality creative assets with contextual detail.
NextGenUp
FreeStarting price
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About NextGenUp
NextGenUp is a free, open-source AI tool for upscaling images and videos on local hardware. It supports images up to 8K resolution and video up to 4K, with modes ranging from Quick to Ultra for images and basic to professional for video. The application includes face restoration using GFPGAN v1.4, noise and blur reduction in Enhance mode, and batch processing for folders. It operates entirely offline, with no cloud uploads, subscriptions, or watermarks. The desktop app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, while a self-hosted web version can be accessed from any device on the same network. The tool uses Real-ESRGAN for super-resolution, GFPGAN for face restoration, and ONNX Runtime for local AI processing, with FFmpeg handling video tasks.
Key features
- Image upscaling up to 8K
- Video upscaling up to 4K
- Face restoration with GFPGAN v1.4
- Four image modes: Quick, Quality, Enhance, Ultra
- Batch processing for folders
- Before/after slider for comparison
- Runs on CPU or GPU with automatic acceleration
- Self-hosted web app option
Use cases
- Upscaling low-resolution images for print or digital use
- Enhancing video quality for editing or archival purposes
- Restoring and sharpening faces in photos
Pros
- Open-source and free with no subscriptions or watermarks
- Runs entirely locally with no cloud uploads or data collection
- Supports both image and video upscaling in one application
- Includes face restoration and noise reduction features
- Batch processing for folders and before/after comparison slider
Cons
- No GPU required but performance depends on local hardware
- Video upscaling limited to 4K resolution
- Web app has a 2GB file size limit
Frequently asked questions about NextGenUp
Is NextGenUp free to use?
Yes, NextGenUp is completely free and open-source under the MIT license, with no subscription, watermark, or account required.
Does NextGenUp upload files to the cloud?
No, all processing occurs locally on your machine, including the AI models, FFmpeg, and server. Files never leave your computer.
Is NextGenUp a good alternative to Topaz Gigapixel AI or Topaz Video AI?
NextGenUp offers similar core features—image upscaling to 8K, video upscaling to 4K, and face restoration—without a subscription or watermark.
Do I need a GPU to use NextGenUp?
No, NextGenUp runs on the CPU by default and automatically uses GPU acceleration if available. In the browser, it can leverage WebGPU on supported versions of Chrome or Edge.
What platforms does NextGenUp support?
Desktop apps are available for macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows 10/11 (64-bit), and Linux (AppImage and .deb), alongside a self-hosted web app accessible from any device on the same network.
Can NextGenUp batch-process multiple images or videos?
Yes, the tool supports batch processing for folders, allowing users to upscale multiple images or videos in a single run and export results as a zip file.
