Magnific vs Topaz isn't a contest between a good upscaler and a bad one: they're two philosophies. Magnific was built to reinvent detail creatively and now has a faithful mode too; Topaz was built to recover detail while staying close to the original and now has generative models too. For a brand the right question is: in this image, can I afford the AI adding something that wasn't there?
The short answer
- Choose Magnific when you want upscaling to add texture and character: renders, "soft" AI images, concepts, campaign visuals. With Precision mode you can stay faithful too.
- Choose Topaz when the priority is not changing the subject: real product photos, archives, faces, print. Gigapixel runs locally and plugs into Photoshop and Lightroom Classic.
- For video both have creative and faithful upscalers: Magnific in the cloud, Topaz with the Topaz Video desktop app and Astra in the cloud.
Magnific: from creative upscaler to platform
Magnific became known as the "creative" upscaler and was acquired by Freepik, which adopted the Magnific name for the whole platform on 28 April 2026; it now covers images, video, 3D and audio (Magnific source). We covered it in Higgsfield vs Magnific.
For upscaling it offers two routes:
- Upscaler Creative: uses a prompt and sliders such as creativity, resemblance to the original and HDR, from -10 to +10, to infer or add new visual elements and stylisation (Magnific source).
- Upscaler Precision V2: faithful upscaling with controlled detail enhancement, from 2x to 16x; listed uses include e-commerce, photo restoration and print (Magnific source).
- Video: a creative video upscaler and a Precision one that stays faithful to the source and adds no generated content, up to 4K (Magnific source).
Topaz: Gigapixel, Photo, Video and Astra
Topaz Labs was built on faithful detail recovery. Its tools are now sold as subscriptions, individually or in the Topaz Studio bundle (Topaz source).
- Gigapixel: desktop image upscaler for Windows and macOS, also as a Photoshop and Lightroom Classic plugin. It has different models per image type (Standard, High Fidelity, Low Res, Text & Shapes, Art & CG, Recover, Redefine), a face recovery model and the generative Wonder models (Topaz source).
- Topaz Photo: sharpening, denoising, upscaling and face recovery for photographers.
- Topaz Video: desktop app to enhance and upscale video locally.
- Astra: cloud app for upscaling AI video up to 4K, with a precise mode that keeps the original look and a creative one that synthesises new detail (Topaz source).
A useful detail for companies: the standard Gigapixel and Topaz Studio plans allow commercial use only for organisations under $1M in annual revenue; above that you need a Pro licence (Topaz source).
Magnific vs Topaz: comparison table
| Magnific | Topaz | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting approach | Creative: reinvents detail | Faithful: recovers detail |
| Faithful mode | Upscaler Precision V2 (2x-16x) | Gigapixel: Standard, High Fidelity, Recover and others |
| Creative mode | Upscaler Creative with prompt and sliders | Generative Wonder models; Astra in creative mode |
| Where it runs | Cloud (web and API) | Local desktop; Astra in the cloud |
| Video | Creative and Precision upscalers up to 4K | Topaz Video (desktop) and Astra (cloud) |
| Integrations | Magnific platform, API | Photoshop and Lightroom Classic plugins |
| Best for | Renders, AI images, campaign visuals | Real photos, archives, faces, print |
Sources: Magnific Precision, Magnific video, Topaz Gigapixel, Topaz Astra.
"A creative upscaler can improve a scene. On the product, every invented detail is a wrong detail."
When to use which
Packshots and product images
Faithful mode, always: Magnific Precision or Topaz's non-generative models. A creative upscaler can "improve" a seam, change the grain of leather or rewrite a letter in the logo.
Scenes, locations and campaign visuals
This is where creative upscaling pays off: it adds texture to a generated background, a wall, a landscape. The safest route is to split: creative upscaling on the scene, faithful on the product, then composite.
Print and large formats
Catalogues, roll-ups, shop windows: you need real resolution. Work faithful and check critical areas, text and edges, at 100%.
AI video
Generated clips often come out at low resolution. Magnific and Topaz Astra both offer a creative and a precise route: here too, precise is the safer choice on product shots.
The tool matters less than the check
In our workflow upscaling is one step of AI retouching and post-production, not the last: after upscaling every image is compared with the real product again, because that's where surprises show up. Labels and logos, if needed, are rebuilt from the original file. It's the same method we use in AI product photography and explain in how to keep product and packaging true.
Frequently asked questions
Is Magnific or Topaz better for upscaling?
It depends on what you can afford to change. Magnific started creative and has a faithful Precision mode; Topaz started faithful and has generative models. For products, always use the faithful mode.
Does Magnific invent details?
The Upscaler Creative does, by design: it uses a prompt and sliders to add texture and stylisation. The Upscaler Precision V2 is built for faithful upscaling, from 2x to 16x.
Can I use Topaz Gigapixel commercially?
Yes, but the standard plan allows commercial use only for organisations under $1M in annual revenue; above that you need a Pro licence. Check the current terms on the Topaz site.
What is the best upscaler for AI video?
Magnific and Topaz Astra both have a creative and a precise mode, up to 4K. For product shots, use the precise one.
Does upscaling make an AI image print-ready?
It gives you resolution, not accuracy. After upscaling the product needs checking, especially text, edges and logos.