LibreAI / Image / Upscayl
// image ยท upscayl/upscayl

Upscayl

๐Ÿ†™ Upscayl - #1 Free and Open Source AI Image Upscaler for Linux, MacOS and Windows

โ˜… 50.1k starsโ‘‚ 2.5k forksAGPL-3.0updated 2026-09
โ–ฆ visual โ€” this project's README ships no embeddable screenshot,
so here's a placeholder. The guide below is complete regardless.
// project facts

Project facts

Upscayl is an open-source image project by upscayl (upscayl/upscayl on GitHub). It has 50,086 GitHub stars and 2,536 forks, is released under the AGPL-3.0 license, and was last updated on GitHub on 28 September 2026.

Repository
upscayl/upscayl
GitHub stars
50,086
Forks
2,536
License
AGPL-3.0
Last updated on GitHub
28 September 2026
Category
Image
Listing
Full install guide
Official site
Official site
// how it works

How it works

  1. Choose the right tool

    Generation studio, upscaler, background remover, or photo library โ€” match the tool to the task.

  2. Install it your way

    Desktop apps, Docker images, and portable builds cover most platforms; pick the simplest for your OS.

  3. Add models if needed

    Generation tools need checkpoint files; utilities like upscalers usually bundle everything.

  4. Create or organize

    Generate, enhance, or import โ€” then export, share, or keep building your library.

// features

Why people love it

No subscriptions

The defining trait of this whole category: professional results without monthly fees.

Runs locally

Your images stay on your machine โ€” important for client work and privacy.

Model freedom

Bring any compatible open checkpoint; you are never locked to one vendor's style.

Purpose-built utilities

Single-job tools (upscale, de-background, restore) that do one thing excellently.

Smart photo libraries

Self-hosted managers with AI tagging, face recognition, and deduplication.

Extensible ecosystems

Extensions, scripts, and community presets extend the popular studios far beyond stock.

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// run it

Run it yourself

  1. Step 1 โ€” Clone the repo

    Download the source and move into the project folder.

    git clone https://github.com/upscayl/upscayl.git
    cd upscayl
  2. Step 2 โ€” Install dependencies

    Use the package manager the project specifies (check for pnpm or yarn lockfiles).

    npm install
  3. Step 3 โ€” Start it

    Launch the dev server or build, per the README.

    npm run dev
// use cases

What you can build

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// faq

Questions, answered

Which should I start with?

For generation: a polished studio interface. For enhancement: a dedicated upscaler. For libraries: a photo manager. The guides above narrow it down.

Do I need a powerful GPU?

Generation benefits hugely from one; upscalers and photo managers are far lighter.

Who maintains Upscayl?

It is an open-source project at upscayl/upscayl with 2,536 forks. Check the repo's contributors and recent commits to see how active maintenance is.

Are they free for commercial work?

Mostly yes under MIT/Apache/GPL โ€” but verify each license, especially for client deliverables.

Can they match Midjourney quality?

With the right open checkpoints, absolutely โ€” the interface matters less than the model you load.

Where do models come from?

Community hubs like CivitAI and Hugging Face host thousands of open checkpoints.

// keep exploring

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// alternatives

Alternatives in Image

The most-starred other Image projects in the LibreAI catalogue โ€” the realistic shortlist if Upscayl is not the right fit.

Get Upscayl

Free and open โ€” grab the source, star the repo, and start creating.