Topaz Labs

Topaz Labs has been the industry standard for AI-powered image and video enhancement since 2001. Processing over 2 billion images across professional studios and individual creators, the company's tools are trusted by major brands including Nike, Google, Target, and Tesla.

The product line comprises both desktop applications and cloud-based tools. Topaz Studio ($399/year) is the unified suite combining all core products. Topaz Studio Pro ($799/year) targets professional teams and commercial production with expanded features and licensing.

**Gigapixel AI** is the flagship upscaler, enlarging images up to 6x with exceptional quality. Unlike creative upscalers like Magnific, Gigapixel prioritizes accuracy and detail preservation. The tool includes face recovery for portraits, maintaining skin texture and features during enlargement.

**Photo AI** extends capabilities with noise reduction, sharpening, and additional restoration features alongside upscaling. **Video AI** is specifically designed for filmmakers, enabling video enhancement to pristine 4K, slow-motion frame interpolation, and stabilization. **Astra** (cloud) provides video upscaling without local processing demands.

**Bloom** (cloud) offers creative upscaling up to 8x with detail generation—Topaz's answer to Magnific's approach. **Mosaic** provides batch photo restoration.

A critical 2026 change: Topaz discontinued perpetual licenses on October 3, 2026, transitioning to subscription-only. This affects pricing strategies but ensures users always access current AI models and algorithms.

For filmmakers, Topaz Studio Pro is a production essential. The 6x Gigapixel upscaling maintains the accuracy required for DCP output and archival restoration. Video AI enables quality enhancement of rushes and archival footage. Cloud tools (Astra, Bloom) allow render farm upscaling without GPU overhead.