PowerDirector

15 Best Software to Upscale Video Quality With AI in 2024

Last Updated on Mar. 8, 2024 – by David Morgan
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PowerDirector Interface
PowerDirector Interface

Even with the advanced digital technology and high-powered cameras of today, most videos are not fit for purpose right out of the gate. Even big-budget Hollywood productions need a video upscaler to make the final movie look and sound perfect. 

Video upscalers allow you to make color corrections, fix imperfections, and improve your clip’s quality. However, choosing the best software to upscale video quality can be challenging.

This guide looks at the 15 best software to upscale video quality for Windows and Mac PCs. We also provide a step-by-step guide you can follow to enhance video quality for home videos or social media content.


Snapshot of the Top 3 Best Software to Upscale Video Quality

PowerDirector Logo

1. PowerDirector – Best Overall

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality on this list. It includes a vast selection of both video and audio-enhancing tools. Use it to balance and correct the color of your videos, stabilize shaky footage, denoise video/audio, and swap out skies with AI-powered sky replacement. Detailed Review >

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI Logo

2. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI - Best Facial Recognition

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is one of the best software to upscale video quality to 8K. Use this video quality enhancer to blur or unblur moving faces in a crowd. Detailed Review >

Topaz Labs Video Enhance AI Logo

3. Topaz Video AI - Best for Slow Motion

Topaz Video AI is a powerful video quality enhancer that can upscale video up to 8K without sacrificing quality. Use it on classic cinema or old home movies and watch them in crisp detail like never before. Detailed Review >

How to Choose the Best Software to Upscale Video Quality

Choosing the best software to upscale video quality depends on several different factors. We outline those factors below to help you choose the right tool for your needs. 

Price

In our list, we have options to cover a range of budgets, so you can find what you need without breaking the bank. 

Ease of Use 

We’ve also found the best software to upscale video quality to suit a range of skill levels, from first-time users to editing professionals. Some of our video upscalers offer one-click solutions for beginners, while others have manual adjustments so you can enhance video quality exactly the way you want.   

Video Editing Tools

Some of the best software to upscale video quality are also fully-featured video editors, some offer only basic editing tools, and others exist only to upscale videos. If you are an influencer, content creator, or filmmaker, it makes sense to get a multifunctional video quality enhancer. 

15 Best Software to Upscale Video Quality With AI in 2024

1. PowerDirector – Best Overall

Pros
  • Professional Video Upscaler & Editor: Filled with advanced features 
  • Beginner-Friendly: Intuitive interface that is easy to learn
  • Wide Format Support: Including 360-Degree and Ultra HD 4K video editing
Cons
  • CPU-Intensive: Can use up system resources while in use 

Key Features:

  1. Video Stabilizer: Fixes unwanted camera shake 
  2. Lens Corrections: Instantly corrects common imperfections like fisheye distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting, and more
  3. Video/Audio Denoise: Remove unwanted grain and background noise
  4. Color Match/Enhancement: Replicate colors from any film clip and automatically improve video colors and contrast 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


PCMag Rating: 5/5 Excellent


Video Enhancement Tools: 5/5


Price: Free
*Premium version available for a 30-day free trial, then $4.33/month


Who It’s For

The best software to upscale video quality on our list is PowerDirector. No matter your video editing experience, you can quickly improve the look and quality of your videos. From basic to advanced color correction and audio editing to powerful AI restoration tools, PowerDirector has all the features you need to create the best-looking and sounding videos.


Why We Picked It

Fix your video's appearance with lighting adjustments, video denoise, and white balance. Steady shaky handheld or action sports footage with video stabilization. And make your audio crisp and pristine with audio denoise, wind removal, and dereverb.

Once your footage looks and sounds the way you intended, you can make it even better with effects, color enhancements, titles, and transitions. Or take your videos to the next level by adding an HDR effect or swapping dull skies for beautiful sunsets and starry vistas with AI Sky Replacement. With PowerDirector's enhancement tools, your footage will look better than anything you could shoot in real life. 


Bottom Line

PowerDirector isn't just a video quality enhancer. It has all the video editing tools and effects you need to create engaging videos. Plus, it has compatibility with all standard video formats and lets you upload directly to social media to save time.

Click the link below to download PowerDirector for free today to enhance video quality and add a professional touch to your videos. 


Check out these related topics for video editing:

2. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI - Best Facial Recognition

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI Interface

Image from avclabs.

Pros
  • User-Friendly: Easy to navigate, and all tools are 100% automatic
  • Fast Processing: Thanks to ONNX Runtime 
Cons
  • Need a Powerful Computer: Works best on newer models with plenty of storage 
  • No Video Editor: You will need additional software to complete videos

Key Features:

  1. AI Denoiser: Automatically reduce noise and grain 
  2. Blur Tool: Use facial recognition to blur faces for privacy
  3. Colorize B&W Videos: Add colors where there are none, or improve faded colors

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


Trustpilot Rating: 4.6/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 5/5


Price: $39.95/month, $119.95/year, or $299.90 for a perpetual license


Who It’s For

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is one of the best software to upscale video quality for its facial recognition features. AVCLabs uses a combination of facial recognition and motion tracking to deblur and enhance facial details on one face in a shot or multiple faces, whether moving or standing still. 


Why We Picked It

The automated multi-frame super-resolution will upscale video from SD to HD, and from HD to UHD 4K or 8K. Processed videos remain uncompressed, while unwanted video parts are eliminated for a smoother, crisper, more natural look. 


Bottom Line

AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI has automatic tools for beginners to upscale video resolution without any quality loss. It’s #2 on our list of the best software to upscale video quality because it does not have video editing tools, and its price is too high for most people to afford both this software and a video editor.  


3. Topaz Video AI - Best for Slow Motion

Topaz Labs Video Enhance AI Interface
Pros
  • Powerful Video Restoration: Natural results with no artifacts 
  • Stutter-Free Slow Motion: Seamlessly slow down video by 2,000%
Cons
  • High System Requirements: Very heavy on computer resources
  • No Video Editing Tools: You can’t make a video from start to finish

Key Features:

  1. CG/Cartoon Upscaling: Uses Gaia CG or Theia to enhance graphics
  2. AI-Powered Deinterlacing: Pristine deinterlacing of interlaced footage
  3. Video Stabilizer: Fills in details from multiple frames for smoother panning

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


Trustpilot Rating: 4.4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 5/5


Price: $299


Who It’s For

Video AI from Topaz Labs is one of the best software to upscale video quality for slow-motion effects. While traditional time interpolation causes stuttering, the technicians at Topaz Labs seamlessly generate new frames that are indistinguishable from frames captured in-camera. The result is a natural and stutter-free slow-motion effect. 


Why We Picked It

Upscale video from SD to HD, and HD to 4K or 8K, without sacrificing quality. This video upscaler can remove noise and grain and convert different frame rates while bringing out crisp detail in your shots with minimal flickering. 


Bottom Line

Topaz Video AI is very similar to AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI. Both are some of the best software to upscale video quality with AI but lack video editing tools. They even cost the same. However, AVCLabs has motion tracking/blur tools that Topaz lacks. 


4. Adobe Premiere Pro – Best for Editing Professionals

Adobe Premiere Pro Interface
Pros
  • Robust Color Tools: Pro-Level color correction with automatic and manual color adjustments
  • Excellent Performance: GPU acceleration, fast rendering, and improved performance on M1/M2 Macs
Cons
  • Complex Interface: Overwhelming for new users
  • Expensive: High monthly fee, and gets higher if you need After Effects for more upscaling tools 

Key Features:

  1. Audio Editing Tools: Use AI audio tools such as Sound Match to equalize your mix 
  2. Motion Graphics Templates: Quickly create custom animated titles
  3. Warp Stabilize Feature: Smooth shaky hand-held or action cam footage

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


PCMag Rating: 4.5/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4.5/5


Price: $20.99/month


Who It’s For

Adobe Premiere Pro is the best software to upscale video quality for professionals as it offers almost all video formats, and it is suitable for editing any video content. Filmmakers and editors have used this software to make various popular movies and TV shows, including Mindhunter, Gone Girl, and Everything Everywhere All At Once.


Why We Picked It

Premiere Pro features a nonlinear editing platform with Lumetri Color Tool, providing unlimited color manipulation. Using this tool, you can adjust your clip’s exposure, contrast, shadows, and white balance, and you can trigger them at any point in the clip using keyframes.


Bottom Line

Premiere Pro has a steep learning curve and isn’t the best software to upscale video quality for beginners. Although Premiere Pro and PowerDirector are both powerful video quality enhancers and video editors rolled into one, beginner-friendliness and affordability put PowerDirector on top.  


5. Ashampoo Video Optimizer Pro 2 - Best for Action Camera Footage

VideoStudio Pro Interface
Pros
  • Covers a Broad Range of Users: Both manual and automatic settings
  • Includes Basic Editing Tools: Cut, rotate, and add text to videos
Cons
  • Not Updated Regularly: You may wait awhile for updated technology
  • No Audio Enhancements: Can’t improve audio quality using this video upscaler

Key Features:

  1. Batch Processing: Saves time by upscaling multiple videos at once 
  2. Slow-Mo and Time-Lapse Effects: Change speed of an entire video or only a section 
  3. Metadata Editor: Add author, copyright, title, and more to your videos

Compatibility: Windows


Softpedia Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4.5/5


Price: $70


Who It’s For

Ashampoo® Video Optimizer Pro 2 is one of the best software to upscale video quality for action camera footage. With this software, you can automatically stabilize shaky videos, fix fish-eye distortions caused by a wide-angle lens, and denoise/deflicker videos taken in bad lighting. 


Why We Picked It

This video quality enhancer comes with 20 preset filters for vignettes, lighting, saturation, and more. Apply presets with a click of a button or manually fine-tune brightness, shadows, and highlights. It also includes a large preview window to see all of your video enhancements in action. 


Bottom Line

Like the best software to upscale video quality, PowerDirector, Ashampoo® Video Optimizer Pro 2 has both automated and manual solutions to enhance video quality for beginners and professionals. It also has some basic video editing tools, but unlike PowerDirector, it is not a stand-alone video editor. 


6. HitPaw Video Enhancer - Best for Faces

HitPaw Video Enhancer Interface
Pros
  • Beginner-Friendly: One-Click video upscaler
  • Unique Enhancement Tools: Specific AI models for faces and animation 
Cons
  • No Control: No manual adjustments and only 1 AI model per video 
  • Expensive: Only 4 tools and no video editing, yet it is the priciest video upscaler on our list

Key Features:

  1. Batch Processing: Upscale multiple videos at once 
  2. Colorize: Add realistic colors to black and white videos
  3. Animation Upscaler: Restore clarity in 2D and 3D cartoons.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


Trustpilot Rating: 4.2/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4.5/5


Price: Mac: $69.99/month, $109.99/year or $349.99 for a Lifetime License

Windows: $42.99/month, $99.99/year or $349.99 for a Lifetime License


Who It’s For

HitPaw Video Enhancer has 4 AI Models that beginners can apply in one click. AI Models include Denoise, Animation, Colorize, and Face. We think it’s one of the best software to upscale video for faces, because the Face Model repairs and sharpens facial details, revealing individual eyelashes and strands of hair. 


Why We Picked It

With this video upscaler, you can convert low-res video up to 1080p or 4K and convert SD to HD. You can even upscale videos from 4K to 8K and enlarge videos up to 8 times without quality loss.


Bottom Line

HitPaw Video Enhancer makes it easy to upscale videos in only 3 steps. However, you must choose only one AI model per video, and there are no manual adjustments. It also costs more than any of the best software to upscale video quality on this list.  


7. DVDFab Video Enhancer AI - Best for Beginners

DVDFab Video Enhancer AI Interface
Pros
  • Beginner-Friendly: One-click solution for beginners
  • Upscale Videos up to 4K: Upscale low-res videos losslessly with super-resolution technology  
Cons
  • Extremely Slow Processing: You may be waiting an entire day to upscale one video 
  • High System Requirements: Requires a newer computer with plenty of space

Key Features:

  1. Deinterlacer: Deinterlace old videos with AI
  2. Neural Networks Training: The video upscaler will naturally get better over time 
  3. Removes Artifacts: Sharpen and denoise without leaving artifacts behind

Compatibility: Windows


Softpedia Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4.5/5


Price: $59.99/month, $79.99/year, or $99.99 for a Lifetime License  


Who It’s For

DVDFab Video Enhancer AI is one of the best software to upscale video quality because it works for users of any skill level. No need to tinker with a bunch of settings, simply import your video and choose to enlarge, denoise, or sharpen. If you are tech-savvy, you can have more control over the end result by adjusting the optional parameters. 


Why We Picked It

Use DVDFab Video Enhancer AI on old home movies shot on DV or classic films and enjoy the enhanced video quality on a big screen. The software boosts saturation, corrects color, decreases noise, and sharpens blur, all with the click of a button. 


Bottom Line

In short, DVDFab Video Enhancer AI is one of the best software to upscale video quality for novices who need a quick and easy way to upscale old videos. But the processing time is extremely long, taking a minimum of 8-30 hours to restore one video. 


8. DaVinci Resolve - Best for Linux

DaVinci Resolve Interface
Pros
  • Pro-Level Post-Production Tools: Precise edits for those who want ultimate control 
  • Neatly Organized Interface: Uncluttered and divided into separate “Pages” 
Cons
  • High System Requirements: May require additional hardware
  • Steep Learning Curve: Not the best software to upscale video quality for beginners 

Key Features:

  1. Repair Sound: Reduce background noise, de-hum, de-ess, and more
  2. Wipe & Split Screen Modes: Compare a string of clips side by side to help match shots 
  3. Secondary Color Correction: Color correct only a specific area of a clip 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux


PCMag Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4/5


Price: Free
*DaVinci Resolve Studio available for $295


Who It’s For

DaVinci Resolve is a pro-level video upscaler with advanced tools for colorists, VFX artists, video editors, and sound engineers. We think it’s the best software to upscale video quality available to Linux users. It also has a very robust free version that will let users on a budget upscale video at no cost. 


Why We Picked It

Enhance video quality with the impressive Shot Match feature, which matches the color of any clip or Hollywood movie. DaVinci has a library of over 85 Resolve FX plug-ins that enhance video quality, such as Face Refinement, Automatic Dirt Removal, and Dead Pixel Fixer.


Bottom Line

DaVinci Resolve is a post-production behemoth with an impressive array of effects to upscale video and audio. However, it has a steep learning curve and it will take some time to improve video quality with all the manual features and precise tools. If you are looking to upscale videos with one click, try PowerDirector. 


9. Pinnacle Studio – Best for Hobbyists

VideoStudio Pro Interface
Pros
  • User-Friendly Pro-Level Tools: Frame-accurate customizations in a beginner-friendly package
  • Excellent Rendering Performance: For faster editing and exports
Cons
  • Resource Intensive: May crash or freeze on low-end computers
  • No Split-Screen Preview: Can’t see a side-by-side of video quality improvements 

Key Features:

  1. Video Stabilization: Improve video quality of shaky footage 
  2. Audio Editing: Audio ducking, pitch scaling, and multi-channel sound mixing 
  3. Lens Corrections: Remove common lens distortions

Compatibility: Windows


PCMag Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4/5


Price: $59.99 for Studio and $129.99 for Ultimate


Who It’s For

When looking for a video quality enhancer, Pinnacle Studio is a viable option. We like this software for hobbyists, because it is almost pro-level, but is also easy to use. It’s also relatively affordable, especially if you opt for the Studio version. 


Why We Picked It

The Ultimate edition’s video upscaler tools include white balance, exposure, contrast, vibrance, haze correction, and clarity. You can apply auto tone and auto white balance to enhance your clip without spending valuable time with adjustments. 


Bottom Line

Pinnacle Studio is one of the fastest video editors, making it similar to the best software to upscale video, PowerDirector. But unlike PowerDirector, Pinnacle Studio doesn’t feature a split-screen preview, so you can only see the enhanced video quality once you move the play head. 


10. Final Cut Pro - Best for Adjusting Focus

Final Cut Pro Interface

Image from BolderVideo.

Pros
  • Excellent Performance: Optimized for Apple Silicon, with lightning-fast speeds and HDR on Apple displays
  • Advanced Color Correction: Professional color tools for pixel-level adjustments
Cons
  • Infrequent Updates: Not updated regularly with the newest tools and features
  • Learning Curve: Not the best software to upscale video quality for beginners 

Key Features:

  1. Duplicate Detection: Quickly displays any audio or video that appears more than once in your project
  2. Advanced Multicam Editing: Automatically sync 64 angles and view 16 at once
  3. Organizational Features: Tag clips and create Smart Collections

Compatibility: Mac


TechRadar Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4/5


Price: $299.99


Who It’s For

Final Cut Pro has several tools to enhance video quality, including Cinematic Mode, which can manually change the f-stop and shift focus on footage shot on newer iPhones. You can adjust how blurry or sharp the background appears, and even shift focus from one part of the shot to the other - all in post. 


Why We Picked It

With this video upscaler, you can change the color, hue, luminance, or saturation of just one color using an eyedropper tool, use keyframes to change colors over time, or use the object tracker to apply color changes to a moving object or person. It also comes with audio enhancements such as reducing background noise and optimizing levels.  


Bottom Line

Final Cut Pro is a professional video editing suite with multiple video quality enhancers. It is not the best software to upscale video quality for beginners. For an equally feature-rich video editor with AI-powered tools, we recommend PowerDirector.  

11. Pixop - Best for Businesses

Pixop Interface
Pros
  • Excellent Video Upscaler: Upscale video up to 8K
  • Powerful AI Filters: Deinterlace footage, remove grain, denoise, and more 
Cons
  • Expensive: Confusing pricing model that can add up fast
  • No Video Editing Tools: You can’t complete a film from start to finish 

Key Features:

  1. Frame Rate Converter: Create new frames for a smoother look 
  2. Deep Restoration: Inject details into degraded video and eliminate artifacts
  3. Super Resolution: Increases resolution and boosts clarity

Compatibility: Web Browser


Trustpilot Rating: 3.7/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4/5


Price: Pay per gigapixel for processing, and per gigabyte for storage and downloads  


Who It’s For

Pixop is one of the best software to upscale video quality for large businesses because it is designed for large archives of digital footage.We recommend it for broadcasters, media production companies, TV networks, or professional video editors. Clients can easily access their Pixop account online to store, organize, and enhance video quality. 


Why We Picked It

With this video upscaler you can remaste digital footage up to UHD 8K. We liked the Face Forward filter, which makes lighting on faces appear uniform, blurs the background for a Portrait effect, and balances color. 


Bottom Line

Pixop has powerful AI tools, however, it works best on digital videos from the 90s onward, so this is not the best software to upscale video quality if you want to upgrade your classic film collection. We moved it below DaVinci Resolve, Pinnacle Studio, and Final Cut Pro in our updated list because they offer a full set of video editing features. 


12. Movavi Video Converter - Best for Converting Files

Movavi Video Converter Interface
Pros
  • Fast Processing: Converts files quickly  
  • Beginner-Friendly: Sleek interface with tips and recommendations on every tool 
Cons
  • Lack of Control: Few manual tools to improve video quality with precision 
  • Can’t Upscale Videos Found Online: Doesn’t support downloading from YouTube or Vimeo 

Key Features:

  1. Subtitles: Find and add subtitles automatically  
  2. Video Compression: Compress large videos with no quality loss
  3. Basic Video Editing Tools: Trim/Crop/Merge videos 

Compatibility: Windows, Mac


TechArrival Rating: 4/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 3.5/5


Price: $54.95/year or $69.95 for a Lifetime License


Who It’s For

Movavi Video Converter is an AI-powered video upscaler, converter, and basic editor. This video quality enhancer allows you to convert not only video but also music and photos into over 180 formats. 


Why We Picked It

Simply drag and drop your video into the window, choose your upscaling parameters from a drop-down menu, and click Upscale. You also get a recommended resolution in the drop-down menu, making it one of the best software to upscale video quality for beginners. You can increase the resolution of your videos by a factor of 2 or 4, and preview your new resolution before it is applied. 


Bottom Line

Movavi Video Converter also comes with some basic video editing tools such as color adjustment and adding filters. If you need a three-in-one tool to convert, edit, and upscale video, then this is a good choice. However, it’s mainly a converter. You wouldn’t use it as a stand-alone video editor, and there are more powerful video quality enhancers on our list.   


13. VideoStudio Pro – Best for Instant Movies

VideoStudio Pro Interface
Pros
  • User-Friendly: Simple and straightforward video upscaler
  • Wide Format Support: Compatibility with various formats including 360-degree footage
Cons
  • Not Professional: Lacks some advanced features; many tools are gimmicky 
  • Weak Audio Editing: Few audio enhancements 

Key Features:

  1. Lens Corrections: Fix common distortions
  2. Motion Tracking: Add text and graphics to moving objects or blur faces/license plates
  3. Speed Ramping: Apply fast or slow motion effects and freeze frames

Compatibility: Windows


TechRadar Rating: 3.5/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 3.5/5


Price: $79.99 for Pro and $99.99 for Ultimate


Who It’s For

VideoStudio Pro from Corel is a video upscaler for beginners. It’s one of the best software to upscale video quality if you want to make instant movies and slideshows from your media. Drag-and-drop an Instant Project Template onto your timeline to automatically recreate a popular video style. Highlight Reel uses AI technology to choose your best clips, while FastFlick instantly creates a slideshow from a given template. 


Why We Picked It

Face Effects is one of the most popular features of this software, especially among influencers. Using this tool, you can brighten or smooth your subject’s skin using straightforward controls. This video upscaler has color correction tools that brighten your scenes, add accent colors, or adjust a clip’s hue, saturation, and white balance.


Bottom Line

VideoStudio Pro has an intuitive interface that is and easy to learn and use, even if you are new to video editing. We moved it ahead of Lightworks in our updated list because it is easier to use and has a more affordable price. However, VideoStudio is more gimmicky and not the best software to upscale video quality for professionals.  


14. Lightworks - Best Audio Enhancer

Lightworks Interface
Pros
  • Collaboration: Includes security and automated transfer; share, receive, and review content in the cloud
  • Time-Saving Features: Tools like background processing and instant autosave are great for busy editors
Cons
  • Learning Curve: Not the best software to upscale video quality for beginners, and users used to other software will struggle with nontraditional workflow 
  • Expensive: The free version does not include video quality enhancers 

Key Features:

  1. Universal Timeline: Add clips with different frame rates and sizes to the same track
  2. Motion Graphics: 700+ pre-built titles and motion graphics
  3. Creative Transitions: LIbrary of over 100 transitions to move you from scene to scene

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux


G2 Rating: 3.5/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 3.5/5


Price: Free
*Premium subscriptions available for $9.99/month for Create, and $23.99/month for Pro


Who It’s For

Lightworks is a pro-level video editing software and one of the best software to upscale video quality for audio enhancements. It has Quick FX audio templates you can easily drag and drop onto your timeline. These incredibly fast audio adjusters combine different effects to enhance dialogue or music. 


Why We Picked It

This video upscaler also has advanced color correction tools to give your video the right look and enhance video quality to HD, Full HD, 2K, or 4K. With Lightworks, you can import a file at any frame rate and it will play at its native shape and resolution.  


Bottom Line

Lightworks has a fairly robust free version, however, all of the video upscaler features listed above are only found in the expensive Pro version. This software also has a learning curve for beginners. The best software to upscale video quality, PowerDirector, offers AI-powered audio enhancements for a fraction of the cost.


15. Vegas Pro – Best for Collaboration

Vegas Pro Interface

Image from Vegas Pro.

Pros
  • Advanced Features: Tools for professional editors
  • Excellent for Teams: The Notes feature makes collaboration and revisions easier
Cons
  • Learning Curve: Relatively complicated editing platform
  • Stability Issues: Crashes or lags more frequently than similar video upscalers

Key Features:

  1. Colorization: Add color to black and white videos
  2. Style Transfers: Mimic the look of famous artists like Van Gogh or Picasso
  3. Audio Editing: Full control over volume, panning, bussing, and audio effects 

Compatibility: Windows


PCMag Rating: 3/5


Video Enhancement Tools: 4/5


Price: $15.99/month or $149 for a Lifetime License


Who It’s For

Vegas Pro is one of the best software to upscale video quality for editors who need excellent online collaboration tools. With the Notes feature, teammates can leave virtual color-coded notes linked with timecode on specific areas of the edit. 


Why We Picked It

Using the look-up tables (LUTs), you can apply various color effects to your clips, conveying specific settings or moods. There’s also an AI-powered tool to upscale video from 720p to 4K.  


Bottom Line

Vegas Pro lets you change your clip’s playback speed, but using this feature can be challenging, especially if you are new to the software. While Vegas Pro is a feature-packed video enhancer, it has a relatively unintuitive interface, and it doesn’t feature tutorials for beginners. 

Best Software to Upscale Video Quality Comparison Chart

Software OS Beginner-Friendly Video Editing Tools AI Tools Audio Enhancements Free Download
PowerDirector Windows, Mac Yes Fully-featured video editor Yes Yes
Free Download
Secure Download
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI Windows, Mac Yes None Yes No Download
Topaz Video AI Windows, Mac No None Yes No Download
Adobe Premiere Pro Windows, Mac No Fully-featured video editor Yes Yes Download
Ashampoo Video Optimizer Pro 2 Windows Yes Basic editing tools No No Download
HitPaw Video Enhancer Windows, Mac Yes None Yes No Download
DVDFab Video Enhancer AI Windows Yes None Yes No Download
DaVinci Resolve Windows, Mac, Linux No Fully-featured video editor No Yes Download
Pinnacle Studio Windows Yes Fully-featured video editor Yes Yes Download
Final Cut Pro Mac No Fully-featured video editor No Yes Download
Pixop Web Browser Yes None Yes No Download
Movavi Video Converter Windows, Mac Yes Basic editing tools Yes No Download
VideoStudio Pro Windows Yes Mid-range video editor Yes Yes Download
Lightworks Windows, Mac, Linux No Fully-featured video editor No Yes Download
Vegas Pro Windows No Fully-featured video editor Yes Yes Download

PowerDirector vs

OS

Windows, Mac

-

Beginner-Friendly

Yes

-

Video Editing Tools

Fully-featured video editor

-

AI Tools

Yes

-

Audio Enhancements

Yes

-

How to Enhance Video Quality

This section looks at how to enhance video quality using PowerDirector. 

Download and install PowerDirector on your computer before following these steps.


  1. Launch PowerDirector. From the Welcome Screen, choose a video Aspect Ratio and click New Project. Click the large Folder icon in the middle of the Preview Window, choose the video files you want to enhance, then click Open.
  2. PowerDirector Interface - Fix / Enhance
  3. Drag the clips from the Media Library to the Editing Timeline.
  4. Click on the clip to select it. Next, click on the Fix / Enhance tool directly above the timeline. The toolbox will appear, replacing your Media Library.
  5. PowerDirector Interface - Fix / Enhance
  6. Starting from the top, check each box to open its respective video quality enhancer toolkit. Upscale videos with the various adjustment sliders until you are happy with your video quality.
  7. Click Compare in split preview to see your upscaled video next to the original clip.

    PowerDirector Interface - Fix / Enhance, split preview

    Click Compare in split preview to see your upscaled video next to the original clip.

  8. If you don’t want to make individual enhancements, use color presets to enhance video quality. Close the Fix / Enhance menu and click the FX icon from the left-hand menu.
  9. Click Color LUT for filters such as Black and White, Cyberpunk, or Faded Film, or choose Blending Effect for effects such as Grunge and Light Leaks.
  10. PowerDirector Interface - Color Presents

For more information on how to enhance video quality with Color LUTS, check out How to Color Correct and Color Grade: The Ultimate Guide.

Download the Best Software to Upscale Video Quality

Even if you only post videos for fun on Facebook and YouTube, a video upscaler will help make your footage more enjoyable for friends and family to watch.

If you're looking for the best software to upscale video quality, look no further than PowerDirector. This video quality enhancer includes color and audio correction, restoration tools, and sky replacement. PowerDirector also offers video editing features like motion tracking, 3D editing, and chroma key. It has all the functionality you might need as a video content creator.  

Download the best software to upscale video quality for free by clicking the link below and see how great your videos can look and sound.

Best Software to Upscale Video Quality FAQ

1. What is a video upscaler?

A video upscaler uses a collection of editing tasks to improve video quality and make it more engaging to viewers. In most cases, video upscalers aim to accurately portray subjects’ color and appearance despite suboptimal environmental conditions. For example, a clip you capture early in the morning might have a color imbalance, with most elements appearing in various shades of blue.

Professional video editors feature unique and AI-based video quality enhancer tools such as sky replacement and auto-adjustments to optimize your clip’s white balance, contrast, and exposure.

2. How can I improve the quality of a video?

Video editing software, such as PowerDirector, come with several different methods to improve video quality. Suppose your clip is too dark or bright, or the video has a color imbalance. In this case, you can enhance the video using color correction tools. If your video is grainy or pixelated, you can use a video denoiser. And if you took action camera footage, you can use a video stabilizer to fix shaky video, and lens correction to get rid of the common fish-eye effect. 

3. What features should I look for in a video upscaler?

The top ten features you should look for in a video upscaler are

  1. Compatibility with your computer
  2. A user-friendly interface
  3. Video stabilization and denoise tools
  4. Lens correction 
  5. An intuitive color grading tool
  6. Professional video editing features
  7. AI features
  8. Stock footage and effects libraries
  9. Direct social media uploading
  10. Support for all file formats

If you’re looking for the best software to upscale video quality that checks all of these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.

4. What is the best video quality enhancer?

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality. It has every possible tool to upscale videos including color correction, video stabilization, video denoise, lens corrections, color match, lighting adjustment, and more. It’s also beginner-friendly, affordable, and has both automatic and manual video enhancement tools for any level of editor.

5. Can you enhance video quality free?

With PowerDirector Essential, you can improve video quality for free. Use all the premium features found in PowerDirector 365 for free for 30 days, then continue using the free version as long as you wish.

6. Where can I enhance videos?

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality. Video editors often have the tools you need to enhance videos.

7. How can I make a video less blurry?

Use PowerDirector to fix a blurry video by using the Video Stabilizer tool. It includes an adjustment slider so you can choose an exact level of clarity.

8. How do I convert low-quality video to HD on PC?

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality that will allow you to convert low-quality video to HD. You can also use a video converter.

9. Can we convert low-quality video to high-quality?

Yes, using a video upscaler such as PowerDirector, you can improve video quality. PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality because you can make colors more true-to-life and remove grain, pixelization, blur, and more. You can even enhance audio by removing background noise and wind.

10. Can 1080p be upscaled to 4K?

You can upscale video using PowerDirector’s video enhancer tools outlined in this article. When you are done making video enhancements, click Export. Under Profile name/Quality, you can choose 4K. If you want to choose a specific frame rate and resolution, you can hit the +, then Video, and choose the video profile settings you want. 

11. Is there a free video upscaler?

Yes. PowerDirector Essential is our pick for the best software to upscale video quality you can get for free.

12. How can I increase the quality of a video?

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality. See our “How to Enhance Video Quality” section above for a step-by-step guide.

13. Can videos be upscaled?

Yes, using PowerDirector, the best software to upscale video quality. PowerDirector is a video editor that can upscale videos in a variety of ways.

14. What is the best free 4k upscaler?

PowerDirector is the best software to upscale video quality to 4K that is available for free. Try PowerDirector’s free version for as long as you want, and get all the premium tools to enhance video quality free for 30 days.

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