Overview

PhotoBoost targets blurry, faded, poorly lit and low-resolution images with tools for sharpening, face enhancement, old-photo restoration, colorization and lighting or color improvement. It can upscale images by up to 4×, and also offers video upscaling.

Cloud AI processing uses credits, with consumption tied to the enhancement and output resolution. Desktop apps also include unlimited local tools and full-resolution exports without the web upload limits described for desktop. PhotoBoost says uploaded images are not used to train its models unless it separately requests and receives explicit consent. It cautions that generated results can be artificial or inaccurate, and should not be used to judge identity, authenticity, historical facts or other high-stakes matters.

For category browsing, see AI Photo Enhancer Software, AI Image Enhancers and AI Photo Editors.

Key features

Repair, restoration and enhancement

The toolset addresses several common image problems rather than focusing only on sharpening: users can restore old photos, enhance faces, colorize images and improve low-light images, color and lighting.

Web, desktop and video workflows

The web app accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, WebP and HEIC images up to 45 MB and automatically corrects orientation. That makes browser-based work convenient for supported files, but the 45 MB cap can rule out larger uploads. Desktop versions support macOS 11+, Windows 10+ and 64-bit Linux, and export at full resolution without the web upload limits described for desktop.

The video upscaler processes video frame by frame at 2×, preserves audio and exports MP4. Its role is specific: Pro covers videos up to 15 seconds, while Max extends that ceiling to 60 seconds. The short caps make it better suited to brief clips than longer footage.

Privacy and reliability

Web editor projects are stored in browser IndexedDB; cloud enhancement uploads only the selected image. PhotoBoost says remote content is retained only as reasonably needed for service and legal purposes, and describes using access controls, encrypted transport, restricted processing systems and monitoring to protect data. Its privacy policy also names Plausible, Google Analytics, Google Ads and Mixpanel for measurement.

The caution around results matters: AI reconstruction can alter details, so PhotoBoost is for visual improvement, not verification. That makes it a poor choice when an image will be used to establish who someone is, what an original image showed or whether a historical claim is true.

Pricing

The Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes two introductory credits total, core editing tools, cloud output up to 3 MP and no credit card requirement. It is useful for a brief trial, but two credits and the output cap make it a limited ongoing option.

Pro costs 39.99 USD per year, billed Or $4.99/week; it can be canceled anytime. It provides 100 credits each week, video upscaling up to 15 seconds, unlimited local tools, output up to 20 MP, two concurrent jobs, no watermark and the desktop app. It is the lower-cost paid tier for regular users who can work within its resolution, job and video limits.

Max costs 79.99 USD per year, billed Or $9.99/week; it can be canceled anytime. It raises weekly credits to 200, video length to 60 seconds, output to 32 MP and concurrent jobs to eight, while retaining unlimited local tools, no watermark and desktop access. The higher tier is better suited to heavier workloads or larger outputs; casual users may not need the extra capacity.

For less regular cloud use, one-time credit purchases are offered at monthly prices: 200 credits for 19.99 USD per month, 700 for 49.99 USD per month, 1,500 for 99.99 USD per month, or 3,200 for 199.99 USD per month. These options give a defined credit allotment without the weekly amounts of Pro or Max, but credit usage varies by enhancement and resolution. Compare likely workload before choosing an allotment.

Platforms

PhotoBoost is available on web, Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux. Mobile apps support iPhone, iPad and Android devices; native desktop apps support macOS 11+, Windows 10+ and 64-bit Linux. The desktop option is the clearest fit for users who need local tools and full-resolution export without web upload limits.

Who it's for

PhotoBoost is a reasonable fit for people restoring personal photos, correcting common lighting or color problems, enhancing faces, or enlarging images across devices. Its mix of local desktop tools and credit-based cloud processing accommodates different workflows, while the Free plan offers a small initial sample.

It is less compelling for users who need frequent long-video processing, very high cloud output beyond their tier's cap, or dependable factual reconstruction. Credit-based cloud work also calls for attention to consumption, particularly at higher output resolutions.

Pros and cons

Broad restoration toolkit: sharpening, face enhancement, old-photo restoration, colorization and low-light work cover more than one repair need.
Desktop flexibility: unlimited local tools and full-resolution exports without web upload limits benefit users with large or privacy-sensitive image workflows.
Clear tier differences: Pro and Max specify weekly credits, resolution ceilings, concurrent jobs and video durations.
Strict free limits: two introductory credits and a 3 MP cloud-output cap allow only a small trial.
Brief video limits: even Max caps upscaled footage at 60 seconds, restricting longer-video use.
Results need caution: PhotoBoost itself warns that enhancements may be artificial or inaccurate, ruling them out for evidentiary judgments.

Alternatives

HeyStar AI Image Enhancer is worth considering for a free-start image enhancement and upscaling option across Android, iOS and web; its free offering covers core work, with advanced or high-volume use potentially requiring a plan.

ImageColorizer may suit users who want a stated monthly free allowance: its Free plan provides 50 credits per month, single processing, all AI features and ads. It runs on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows.

PicWish Photo Enhancer offers free previews for most features, free tools and five standard enhancements per day, making it an alternative for users who prefer a daily free allowance despite limited non-HD downloads.

Aragon Magic Eraser provides free daily credits with a required Aragon account; paid plans add credits and higher-resolution outputs.

HueFold is another free-start option, available on Android and web.

AVCLabs Photo Enhancer AI may appeal to users who want a monthly 100-credit plan at 9.95 USD per month with auto-renewal, cancellation anytime and credits that roll over for up to 150 days.

Face26 offers weekly, monthly and yearly plans with unlimited app-feature access, for users comparing another freemium face-enhancement option.

Remini offers Lite and Pro weekly plans for users seeking another freemium photo-enhancement app.

Verdict

Choose PhotoBoost if you want a multi-platform toolkit for photo restoration and enhancement, with desktop local tools and cloud options under one roof. Its strongest case is breadth plus desktop flexibility; look elsewhere if you need generous free cloud use, longer video jobs or results suitable for high-stakes judgments.

	Capture One	PhotoBoost
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	—	$3.33/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	iOS	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	No	No
Batch editing	Yes	—

Capture One vs PhotoBoost

Capture One

PhotoBoost