Top 10 Best Open Source Video Upscalers

Video upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution and quality of a video using artificial intelligence algorithms. Video upscaling can enhance the details, reduce the noise, and improve the sharpness of low-resolution videos, making them more suitable for viewing on high-definition screens or devices.

There are many open-source video upscaling tools available online, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages. In this blog post, we will review the top 10 open source video upscalers in 2024 with their GitHub links, based on their popularity, performance, and functionality.

1. Video2X

Video2X is a Python-based software that can upscale and interpolate video/GIF/image files using various state-of-the-art algorithms, such as waifu2x, Anime4K, SRMD, RealSR, and RealCUGAN. It supports various formats and resolutions, and offers a GUI, a Colab notebook, and a Docker image for usage. Video2X is fast, easy to use, and flexible, as it allows the user to choose from different models and settings, and load custom ESRGAN models. However, Video2X requires a compatible GPU and a large amount of VRAM to run smoothly, and it may not work well on older or very lower-resolution videos.

Pros

This is freely available and open-source, allowing everyone to utilize, modify, and share it without any fees or limitations.
It is easy and convenient, meaning it has a user-friendly GUI and a Colab notebook for easy access and configuration.
Video2X is adaptable and versatile, enabling it to operate on various platforms and devices, including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Docker.

Cons

Needs a powerful GPU and ample VRAM for smooth operation; might struggle on older or low-end devices.
It may not work well on older or lower-resolution videos, meaning it may produce artifacts, distortions, or blurriness.
Could struggle with DRM-protected videos, possibly leading to decoding or encoding failures.

2. Waifu2x

Waifu2x is a web service that uses deep convolutional neural networks to enhance the quality of anime-style art and photo. You can upload a file, choose a style, a noise reduction level, and an upscaling factor, and download the result in PNG or WebP format. Waifu2x is simple, convenient, and free to use, and it produces high-quality results for anime and manga images. However, Waifu2x is limited by the file size and resolution, and it may not work well on realistic or complex images.

Pros

It is fast and easy, meaning you can use it online without installing any software or registering any account.
Specialized and proficient, excelling in handling anime-style art and photos by preserving intricate details, colors, and textures effectively.
Flexible and customizable, offering various style options, noise reduction levels, and upscaling factors that can be adjusted to match individual needs and preferences.

Cons

Restricted in capability, processing files up to 5 MB and 3000×3000 pixels, potentially inaccessible in certain regions or on specific devices.
Not versatile and general, meaning it may not work well on realistic or complex images, and it may lose some details, colors, or textures.
Insecure and lacking privacy measures, potentially sharing uploaded files with third parties and failing to safeguard data against unauthorized access or use.

3. Holloway’s Upscaler

Holloway’s Upscaler is a small, fast application written in Rust that is used for upscaling animated video content. It utilizes Real-ESRGAN-ncnn-vulkan, FFmpeg and MediaInfo under the hood. Holloway’s Upscaler employs a segment-based approach to video upscaling, allowing it to simultaneously upscale and encode videos. This results in a notable enhancement in performance and enables the feature of resumability. Holloway’s Upscaler is optimized for native 1080p anime encoded with h.264, h.265 or VC-1, and it may not work well on downscaled, older, or non-animated videos.

Pros

Swift and lightweight, suitable for low-end devices with minimal resource consumption.
Simple and easy, meaning it has a user-friendly CLI interface and a clear documentation.
Compatible and portable, meaning it can run on different platforms and devices, such as Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Cons

Limited and restricted, meaning it can only process video files and not GIFs.
Limited in customization and flexibility, lacking options for users to select various models, settings, or load custom ESRGAN models.

4. Real-ESRGAN Video Enhancer

Real-ESRGAN Video Enhance (REVE) is a small, fast application written in Rust that is used for upscaling animated video content. It utilizes Real-ESRGAN-ncnn-vulkan, FFmpeg and MediaInfo under the hood. REVE employs a segment-based approach to video upscaling, allowing it to simultaneously upscale and encode videos. This results in a significant improvement in quality and speed, and enables the feature of resumability. REVE supports various upscaling factors and models, and it works well on anime and cartoon videos. However, REVE requires a powerful GPU and a large amount of VRAM to run smoothly, and it may not work well on realistic or complex videos.

Pros

Reliable and robust, meaning it can handle large video files and resume the process if interrupted.
Potent and adaptable, capable of utilizing various upscaling factors and models like RealESRGAN_x4plus, RealESRGAN_x4plus_anime_6B, and RealESRGANv2_animevideo-xsx4.
It is secure and private, meaning it does not store or share your video files with third parties, and it protects your data from unauthorized access or use.

Cons

It may not work well on videos with hard-coded subtitles, meaning it may overwrite or remove them.
It is not compatible and portable, meaning it may not run on some platforms and devices, such as Android, iOS, and Docker.
It is not easy and convenient, meaning it does not have a GUI or a Colab notebook for easy access and configuration.

5. RealScaler

RealScaler is a Windows app powered by AI to enhance, enlarge and reduce noise in photographs and videos. It uses BSRGAN, Real-ESRGAN, and SAFMN models to upscale images and videos with different styles and quality levels. RealScaler is easy to use, fast, and flexible, as it allows the user to drag and drop files, resize, trim, crop, or slow down the video, and load custom ESRGAN models. However, RealScaler requires a DirectX 12 compatible GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM to run efficiently, and it may not work well on low-resolution or noisy videos.

Pros

It is powerful and versatile, meaning it can use different upscaling factors and models, such as BSRGAN, Real-ESRGAN, and SAFMN.
Secure and private, ensuring no storage or sharing of video files with third parties while safeguarding data against unauthorized access or use.

Cons

It requires a DirectX 12 compatible GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM to run efficiently, meaning it may not work well on low-end or old devices.
It may not work well on anime or cartoon videos, meaning it may lose some details, colors, or textures.

6. Anime4K

Anime4K is a set of open-source, high-quality real-time anime upscaling/denoising algorithms that can be implemented in any programming language. Anime4K is simple, fast, and effective, as it can upscale 1080p anime to 4K in real time, while providing a similar effect to SRGANs and being much better than waifu2x. Anime4K can also be used as a user shader for mpv, a popular media player. However, Anime4K is not optimized for downscaled, older, or non-animated videos, and it may not work well on realistic or complex images.

Pros

It is customizable and flexible, meaning it allows the user to choose from different settings and parameters, such as upscaling factor, denoising level, and sharpening strength.
It is stable and bug-free, meaning it does not encounter errors or crashes during the process, and it works well on most video formats and codecs.

Cons

It is not powerful and versatile, meaning it can only upscale videos by 2x or 4x, and it cannot interpolate frames or denoise images.

7. QualityScaler

QualityScaler is a Windows app powered by AI to enhance, enlarge and reduce noise in photographs and videos. It uses BSRGAN, Real-ESRGAN, and SAFMN models to upscale images and videos with different styles and quality levels. QualityScaler is easy to use, fast, and flexible, as it allows the user to drag and drop files, resize, trim, crop, or slow down the video, and load custom ESRGAN models. However, QualityScaler requires a DirectX 12 compatible GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM to run efficiently, and it may not work well on low-resolution or noisy videos.

Pros

It is stable and bug-free, meaning it does not encounter errors or crashes during the process, and it works well on most video formats and codecs.
It is compatible and portable, meaning it can run on different platforms and devices, such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and Docker.

Cons

To function optimally, it needs a DirectX 12 compatible GPU possessing a minimum of 4GB VRAM, potentially causing performance issues on low-end or outdated devices.
This may not work well on low-resolution or noisy videos, meaning it may produce artifacts, distortions, or blurriness.

8. Enhancr

Enhancr is an elegant and easy to use GUI for video frame interpolation and video upscaling which takes advantage of artificial intelligence. It features blazing-fast TensorRT inference by NVIDIA, which can speed up AI processes significantly, and NCNN inference by Tencent, which is lightweight and runs on NVIDIA, AMD, and even Apple Silicon. enhancr allows the user to chain interpolation, upscaling, and restoration, and load custom ESRGAN models. However, enhancr requires a compatible GPU and a large amount of VRAM to run smoothly, and it may not work well on low-resolution or noisy videos.

Pros

Simple and easy, meaning it has a user-friendly GUI and clear documentation.

Cons

Requires a compatible GPU and a large amount of VRAM to run smoothly, meaning it may not work well on low-end or old devices.

9. AviSynth AiUpscale v1.2.0

AviSynth AiUpscale v1.2.0 is a script that uses AviSynth Shader to test some Super-Resolution Convolutional Neural Networks implemented as HLSL pixel shaders. It can upscale and denoise images and progressive videos in any AviSynth+ color format except YV411 and 32 bit float. It supports independent luma/chroma upscaling and chroma resampling, two modes for video/photography and line art, and KrigBilateral option for chroma upscaling/resampling. It also provides mpv user shaders of all models for real-time upscaling. However, AviSynth AiUpscale v1.2.0 requires AviSynth+ and AviSynth Shader to work, and it may not work well on downscaled, older, or non-animated videos.

Pros

Free and open-source, meaning anyone can use, modify, and distribute it without any cost or restriction.
Customizable and flexible, meaning it allows the user to choose from different settings and parameters, such as upscaling factor, luma model, chroma method, chroma resampling method, mode, chroma placement, and output bit depth.

Cons

Requires AviSynth+ and AviSynth Shader to work, meaning it may not work well on devices that do not have them installed or configured.

10. VideoCleaner

VideoCleaner is a small, fast application written in Rust that is used for periodically removing old files from video/images storages in android car video recorder. It can scan the storage directories and delete the files that are older than a specified number of days. It can also delete the files that are smaller than a specified size, or that have a specified extension. VideoCleaner is simple, convenient, and free to use, and it can help the user to save storage space and avoid clutter. However, VideoCleaner is limited by the file size and resolution, and it may not work well on corrupted or protected files.

Pros

Efficient and smart, meaning it can scan the storage directories and delete the files that are older, smaller, or unwanted.

Cons

Not powerful and versatile, meaning it can only delete files and not enhance, enlarge, or reduce noise in video files.

How to use Open Source Video Upscaler?

These are the common steps to use open-source video upscalers. Keep in mind, steps can vary based on the specific Open Source Video Upscaler software used. Consult the software’s documentation or user guide for precise and detailed instructions tailored to that application. Using an Open Source Video Upscaler involves a series of simple steps:

Installation: Begin by downloading and installing the Open Source Video Upscaler software compatible with your operating system.
Launch the Software: Open the application post-installation.
Import Your Video: Utilize the software’s interface to import the video file intended for enhancement or upscaling.
Adjust Settings: Explore the software’s options, including upscaling factors, models, and noise reduction levels. Customize these settings according to your preferences or the video’s requirements.
Initiate Upscaling: Start the upscaling process. Depending on the software and video length/quality, this may take some time.
Save or Export: After upscaling, save or export the enhanced video file to your preferred location on your computer.
Review and Fine-tuning: Preview the upscaled video to ensure it meets your standards. If necessary, refine settings and reprocess the video until achieving the desired results.
Save the Final Video: Save the final version of the upscaled video, preserving the settings that yielded the best outcome.

With my experience, you need technical knowledge to use these open-source video and image upscale. But you can try this using YouTube videos like this. Have fun upscaling your low quality video with these open source free tools.

Top 10 Best Open Source Video Upscalers in 2024

1. Video2X

2. Waifu2x

3. Holloway’s Upscaler

4. Real-ESRGAN Video Enhancer

5. RealScaler

6. Anime4K

7. QualityScaler

8. Enhancr

9. AviSynth AiUpscale v1.2.0

10. VideoCleaner

How to use Open Source Video Upscaler?

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