Images · by Xintao Wang et al.
Real-ESRGAN
Open-source super-resolution models and CLI for general images and anime, widely embedded in other tools.
+ Lightweight, scriptable and the de facto upscaler inside ComfyUI, A1111 and Upscayl.
− Command-line only with no official GUI, and the models have not been updated in years.
Open Real-ESRGAN ↗ best for: scripted upscaling in pipelines
Evidence
rank #99 of 257Head to head: Upscayl vs Real-ESRGAN Krea vs Real-ESRGAN
Real-ESRGAN alternatives
All 7 alternatives →
+ Completely free, runs offline on almost any GPU and batch-processes folders.
− Only deterministic upscaling, so it cannot add believable detail like Magnific or Gigapixel.
+ One subscription gives access to Flux, Veo, Kling, Wan and others plus a strong enhancer, so you rarely need another tool.
− It is an aggregator, so model availability and pricing shift often and credits drain quickly on video.
+ Many useful single-purpose tools (relight, uncrop, reimagine) under one roof with an API.
− Since the move from Stability AI to Jasper, several tools have been pared back and the model updates have slowed.
+ Access to Flux, Imagen, Kling, Veo and Magnific upscaling bundled with a stock library in one subscription.
− The interface is cluttered with upsells and credit costs differ per model.
+ Invents convincing fine detail (skin, fabric, foliage) that ordinary upscalers cannot.
− Expensive, and the creativity slider can alter faces or add details that were not there.