The 7 best AI photo enhancers of 2023

In an era dominated by technology, AI photo enhancers are becoming household names. But what are they? Simply put, these are software tools powered by artificial intelligence that enhance and perfect our photos. Instead of manually adjusting brightness, contrast, or sharpness, these tools use AI to automatically refine and beautify images. They learn from vast amounts of data to understand what makes a photo appealing, and then apply those insights to your snaps. This article is your go-to guide for these cutting-edge tools. As AI photo enhancers flood the market, picking the right one can be a daunting task. That’s where we come in. We’ve reviewed and ranked the best AI photo enhancers of 2023 (so far), making your choice easier. Dive in to discover the wonders of AI-enhanced photography and how to make the most of it!

How we test and review AI photo enhancers

To determine the best AI photo enhancer in 2023, we tested the tools for a limited duration to determine usability and performance by comparing the outputs. Our testing was of the most basic features the AI tools have to offer, such as the upscaler/enhancer, fill or background remover. For this testing, we used the same image throughout. Secondly, we scoured the web for reviews by experts and consumers to determine an aggregate opinion on the tool. Following the same idea, we compare them on broader parameters, while still accounting for the speciality of the AI photo enhancers. We consider factors such as the following to shape an overarching review of the AI tools.

• Price: We look into the value-for-money aspect of the reviewed tools and compare them to tools of similar capabilities. If the enhancer/upscaler is free, but requires other applications or infrastructure to function, we consider this part of the “price”.
• Usability: An important criteria in our reviews are the ease of use; how easy it is to get started and set up the tool, the UX of interface and lastly the if there’s a multipurpose functionality
• General performance: We take into consideration the processing speed; how does it take for the AI photo enhancer to produce a (valid) output and of course the quality of the output itself.

1. Magic studio

Ranking: 9.5/10

Price: $4.95/month

Performance: Excellent (although not very advanced features)

Usability: Extremely easy

Magic Studio is not just another AI photo enhancer; it’s a digital magician. Whether you’re aiming to perfect a product photo without the expensive photoshoots or looking to blur the background of a profile picture, Magic Studio delivers with precision. The magic unfolds in three simple steps: upload your image, make desired modifications, and download the transformed masterpiece. Its user-centric design, coupled with AI-enhanced features, ensures quality outcomes without a steep learning curve.

The AI photo enhancer is also very accommodating. With both freemium and premium options, users can choose a model that aligns with their needs. And for those investing in the Pro version, benefits like high-resolution downloads without watermarks and priority support enhance the value proposition.

Magic Studio’s standout feature remains its AI-driven auto-enhancement. It intuitively adjusts images, ensuring optimal color, lighting, and overall aesthetic appeal. Its compatibility across devices and platforms adds a cherry on top, promising flexibility and accessibility to a wider user base.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the background remover from Magic Studio:

Highlighted features

• AI background and object remover
• High-resolution & watermark-free downloads
• AI face enhancer
• Multiple integration options with third-party tools

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Versatile capabilities
• Efficient batch processing

Cons

• Absence of community hub
• Lack certain features that strong competitors have

2. Topaz Photo AI

Ranking: 9/10

Price: $199 one time payment

Performance: Very good (try out the autopilot feature!)

Usability: Very easy – intuitive interface

Topaz Photo AI sharpens, denoises, and impressively upscales images, replicating the pristine clarity and sharpness of the original moment. I’ve often struggled with high ISO (light sensitive) photos, but with Topaz Photo AI’s meticulous noise removal capabilities, noise is seamlessly eliminated while preserving intricate image details.

One of the standout modules in this tool is the Sharpen module. This gem doesn’t just add a generic sharpness filter. Instead, it intelligently counteracts blurriness by addressing common issues like camera shake, motion blur, and missed focus, resulting in an authentic sharpness devoid of unsightly artifacts. Another commendable feature is the AI tool’s ability in upscaling. Topaz Photo AI leverages real details from countless images, thus filling in missing pixels, which has significantly amped up the resolution quality of my tighter crops and prints.

The software is incredibly user-friendly, streamlining the enhancement process. The drag-and-drop feature for raw files is a breeze and makes the experience smooth even for those new to such tools. Overall, for a price of $199, this AI tool proves its worth in gold, providing a comprehensive and efficient solution for photo enthusiasts striving for impeccable image quality.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the AI upscaler from Topaz Photo AI:

Highlighted features

• Sharpening module to counter blurriness
• AI-driven upscaling
• Noise Removal Capabilities ( ideal for high ISO photos)
• Well functioning autopilot feature

Pros

• Uses DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI, and Sharpen AI, ensuring comprehensive image enhancement.
• User-friendly interface
• Batch processing

Cons

• Performance can vary depending on the initial image quality and the extent of the issues.
• The price tag might be steep for some users, especially with the absence of a trial option.
• At times, the noise reduction can be too aggressive, which might not align with the desired results for all users.

3. PicWish

Ranking: 8.5/10

Price: $5.99/month

Performance: Very good – fast & high quality upscaling/enhancing

Usability: Very easy (it might differ from PC to mobile)

PicWish is undeniably a marvel in the world of AI photo enhancing. Having experimented with it briefly, I can affirm that this AI-driven platform has managed to bring professional-level photo editing to the fingertips of everyday users. The most striking feature is its proficiency in background removal, offering an array of customizable background options. This versatility makes it particularly beneficial for users who need images with transparent, solid color, or custom backgrounds for design purposes.

The platform’s interface is seamless and intuitive, especially the online version. This user-friendliness is a blessing for novices, while still robust enough for professionals who demand greater editing flexibility . The AI-driven sharpening capability is another noteworthy attribute, adept at enhancing blurry images and presenting them with renewed clarity.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the AI photo enhancing from PicWish:

Highlighted features

• AI background remover
• Excellent AI photo enhancer
• Photo Retouch
• Batch mode with up to 30 images at once

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Superior background removal and image enhancement
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Some users have found issues with the unblurring feature, particularly for text.
• Advanced features are only accessible on mobile devices.
• May lack complexity compared to more sophisticated editing software

4. YouCam Enhance

Ranking: 8.2/10 

Price: $9.99/month

Performance: Very good – wide range of features

Usability: Easy

Having put the YouCam Enhance AI photo enhancer through its paces, I can confidently share my experience with this robust tool. At its core, YouCam Enhance specializes in sharpening, restoring, and upscaling images. Regardless of the image type – be it a faded old family photograph, a blurred vacation shot, or a noisy night-time picture, this app claims to be the perfect remedy.

The AI Photo Enhance feature is undoubtedly the most valuable feature, working seamlessly to breathe life back into lackluster photos. With just a tap, the Restoration feature attempts to revert aged or damaged photos back to their original glory, while the Unblur and Denoise features are ideal for refining slightly shaky or noisy images, respectively. The Upscale feature, on the other hand, is particularly impressive, striving to improve the resolution of images without compromising their quality. One of the newest additions, the AI Lighting feature, serves as a game-changer for brightening up those underlit shots. Additionally, the improved cutout editing enhances user experience by providing more accurate editing capabilities.

However, for all its strengths, a few users have raised concerns over the app sometimes deteriorating photo quality, which might be related to over-processing or perhaps some bugs in the newer versions. However, I didn’t run into this issue while testing the tool. The difficulty in canceling subscriptions through the app is another point of contention.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the AI photo enhancing from YouCam Enhance:

Highlighted features

• AI photo enhance/upscale.
• Photo restoration
• Unblur & Denoise: Refines blurred or noisy images for clearer results.
• AI Lighting to brighten dark images

Pros

• Comprehensive suite of photo enhancement tools for various image types.
• Newly introduced AI Lighting feature to brighten dark images effectively.
• High user rating, suggesting overall satisfaction and tool efficiency.

Cons

• Some users reported worsened photo quality after editing.
• Difficulties faced while canceling subscription through the app.
• Negative feedback about certain photo enhancements, such as replaced faces.

5. Firefly (Adobe)

Ranking: 8.1/10

Price: $20.99/month (Photoshop)

Performance: Excellent

Usability: Easy – bit of a learning curve for optimal results.

Adobe Firefly is a game-changer for photo enthusiasts and professionals alike. Housed within the Creative Cloud family, Firefly capitalizes on generative AI, offering unique capabilities for photo enhancement and expansion. In my personal journey with Firefly, it consistently presented itself as an advanced photo-enhancer, exhibiting a fine balance between AI innovation and human creativity.

One of Firefly’s standout features is its ability to produce stunning images based on text prompts. The tool displays a remarkable adeptness at landscapes, effortlessly capturing the essence of  textual descriptions and translating them into visually captivating representations. Notably, Firefly’s proficiency in matching lighting and style to existing images is commendable, enabling seamless expansions beyond original image borders with heightened accuracy. It’s almost as if the tool “understands” the ambiance you wish to convey and adjusts its enhancements accordingly. Be aware; Adobe Firefly is not an AI upscaler, so it wouldn’t help you make low resolution images less pixelated. However, it’s capable of a whole lot more that would categorize it as an AI photo enhancer, such as the generative fill and image expansion features.

A slight drawback is that the full extent of Firefly is only available within Photoshop (Adobe’s flagship photo editing software). As such, you’d have to purchase a subscription to Creative Cloud in which Photoshop is available. If you wanna tryout some of Firefly’s features check out their beta-version.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the generative fill in Firefly:

Highlighted features

• AI-powered image creation
• AI lighting and styling
• Generative fill
• Enables the expansion of images beyond original dimensions, merging AI-generated content seamlessly

Pros

• Contextual image generation
• Seamless image expansion
• Integrated workflow thanks to its deep integration with the Creative Cloud. 

Cons

• Challenges with detailed text
• Training imagery limitations
• There are conditions imposed on the commercial utilization of images generated through Firefly’s beta version

6. Fotor

Ranking: 7.7/10

Price: $3.33/month

Performance: Quite good

Usability: Fairly easy

Fotor’s AI photo enhancer is not just a notch but several notches above many of its peers. Its core value lies in its ability to simplify what traditionally would require extensive photo editing expertise and translate it into a few seamless clicks.

For beginners, the learning curve with photo editing can be daunting, but Fotor makes it feel almost non-existent. Simply upload your desired image, and the magic begins: colors are balanced, sharpness is enhanced, and any blurriness is tactfully eradicated. What truly sets Fotor apart is its capability to seamlessly remove backgrounds and unwanted objects, offering a pristine and distraction-free image. Additionally, for those seeking an artistic touch, Fotor doesn’t disappoint. With over 50+ painting styles, your photos can be transformed into sketches, cartoons, and even world-renowned artwork styles.

Apart from these transformative features, Fotor also aids in face retouching, thus enabling a polished, studio-quality portrait without the professional price tag. Its comprehensive toolset doesn’t stop there; from image upscaling to text-to-image conversion, Fotor integrates the latest AI technology into every aspect of its platform, allowing for limitless creativity.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the AI photo enhancing from Fotor:

Highlighted features

• Automatic AI-enhanced editing
• Background and object removal
• Over 50+ painting styles for transformation
• AI image upscaling

Pros

• Intuitive and user-friendly interface 
• Text-to-image conversion
• Well functioning bulk editing 

Cons

• Some advanced features might require a paid subscription.
• For highly professional edits, there might be a need for additional manual tweaking.
• Requires time and effort to learn every feature

7. VanceAI

Ranking: 7.5/10

Price: $4.95 for 100 credits

Performance: Good (especially upscaling and sharpening)

Usability: Easy 

I recently gave VanceAI a test run and the experience was truly impressive. To put it simply, VanceAI is an advanced photo enhancement tool powered by cutting-edge deep learning techniques, catering especially to graphic design, batch-processing for various industries such as photography, e-commerce, and printing. The startup has grown rapidly, establishing its dedicated team of AI developers and experts to bring about groundbreaking automatic photo editing tools that, in the past, would only be confined to pricey apps with steep learning curves.

Its pricing model is straightforward: you pay 1 credit for enhancing 1 image. They offer two monthly subscription plans: Basic at $9.90/month for 200 credits and Pro at $19.90/month for 500 credits, both coming with a complimentary desktop app. The generosity extends further: they offer a free trial that lets you test out the tool with 5 images per month.

In terms of performance, VanceAI excels in AI upscaling, sharpening, and enhancing, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking for impeccable results right from the outset.

Here’s a short preview of our test of the AI photo enhancing from VanceAI:

Highlighted features

• Cutting-edge upscaling, sharpening, and enhancing of photos.
• Diverse use cases
• Simple pricing model
• User-friendly

Pros

• Incorporates advanced deep learning techniques for high-quality results..
• Versatile applications across multiple industries.
• Clear and affordable pricing model with free trial options

Cons

• Only available for Windows PCs currently.
• Young company, so it might still be developing some features and ironing out kinks.
• Per image credit system might not be suitable for everyone, especially those with bulk requirements.

Considerations before choosing an AI photo enhancer

Purpose and Intended Use

Before choosing an AI photo enhancer, you need to identify the primary purpose of your photo enhancement needs. For example, a professional photographer looking to upscale and edit images for print might have different requirements than a blogger enhancing images for web content. While the photographer might prioritize the highest resolution outputs and fine-tuned adjustments, a blogger might look for faster processing and integration with other web tools. It’s essential to match the software’s capabilities with your specific objectives.

Usability and Learning Curve

Not all AI tools are created equal when it comes to user experience. Some platforms, especially those offering more advanced features, can come with a steeper learning curve, which might be ideal for professionals but challenging for hobbyists or occasional users. Before settling on a tool, it’s important to consider your technical proficiency and the amount of time you’re willing to invest in learning the software. Opting for a platform that aligns with your comfort level can greatly enhance the overall user experience.

Pricing and Subscription Model

Financial considerations play a significant role in any purchasing decision. Many AI photo enhancers operate on a subscription-based model, often with varying tiers of service. You should try to assess how often you’ll use the software and what features are essential to them. For occasional users, it might make sense to opt for a basic plan or even look for platforms offering pay-as-you-go options. On the other hand, heavy users or professionals might find more value in premium plans that unlock advanced features and allow for bulk processing. It’s also worth checking for any free trials, as these can provide a hands-on feel for the tool before committing financially.

FAQ about AI photo enhancers