A progress report on what we are committed to and what we’ve delivered since the Photo RAW 2026 launch.

In January, we published a vision post that made a specific promise: fewer surprises, faster updates, and photo editing software built around trust rather than hype. We said we were going to build ON1 the way a great camera gets built — something you stop thinking about and start relying on.

Over five months in, here’s what that looks like in practice.

Four Free Updates to ON1 Photo RAW 2026 and Counting

Since Photo RAW 2026 launched in October 2025, owners have received four substantial free updates. Not minor patches, each one advanced something photographers asked for.

2026.1 (November 2025) brought faster AI masking, 20+ new Styles, cleaner menus, and expanded camera support for the latest Canon, Fujifilm, and Sony bodies. It also introduced a new method for customers to submit feedback in the app directly to our dev team.

2026.2 (December 2025) focused on workflow speed and smarter AI results: faster exports, an improved Face Restoration model inside Resize AI, built-in Module Tips to guide new users through each editing module, faster exporting, and additional camera and lens support.

2026.3 (February 2026) went deeper on performance and stability. Faster folder browsing, improved Generative Crop, better color label flexibility, and targeted fixes along with another round of speed optimizations in the 2026 cycle.

2026.4 (May 2026) was the biggest release yet of the 2026. The headlining addition is Restore AI, a new module inside Photo RAW MAX that recovers old, faded, and damaged photos. Scan a print from a shoebox. Rescue a soft shot from an old phone. Colorize a black-and-white image with results that look realistic, not like a filter. 2026.4 also redesigns the Home experience to get you into your editing faster and delivers meaningful performance improvements across the board.

This cadence was intentional. We committed to more frequent releases so improvements reach you sooner. Four updates in seven months. That commitment, kept. And we aren’t don yet.

Delivering on the Vision: Four Priorities, Six Months In

The January vision post outlined four priorities: better image quality, AI that assists without taking over, performance you can feel, and a user experience that earns your confidence. Here’s where each one stands.

Better Image Quality in Your RAW Files

Raw processing improvements are in progress. The goal is photos that look more accurate straight out of camera and respond faster in the Edit module. We’ll share results when they’re ready to show. This is the kind of work that takes time to do right, and we’re doing it right.

AI Photo Editing That Assists Without Taking Over

Restore AI is a clear example of how we want AI to work in Photo RAW. You give it a damaged photo. It recovers detail, removes fading, and optionally adds color. You stay in control of the result. The same philosophy applies to every AI tool we ship, AI speeds up the work, the photographer makes the call.

Performance That Compounds Over Time

Faster browsing. Faster exports. Faster AI masking. Smoother previews. These are not headline features. But photographers who use Photo RAW every day feel them compound across a session, across a week, across a year.

A First-Class User Experience

The redesigned Home module in 2026.4 is one visible result. Built-in module guidance in 2026.2 was another. Every release addresses friction points photographers reported. The goal isn’t novelty, it’s making the app feel familiar and reliable faster, for more people.

New Products and a Cleaner Lineup

ON1 Effects 2026: Professional Results, Instantly

In January, we launched ON1 Effects 2026 as a standalone release. It brings AI-powered Subject and Background masks, a layered masking system, and several new creative filters. Whether you use Effects inside Photo RAW or as a standalone plugin for Lightroom Classic or Photoshop, version 2026 delivers professional finishing tools that behave predictably and produce results you can trust.

ON1 Photo Studio: One Name, Everything Included

We also tightened up our product lineup. ON1 Photo Studio (formerly ON1 Everything Plus) is the name we should have been using all along. It includes Photo RAW MAX, all individual titles, all major and minor updates, 1TB of Cloud Sync, full ON1 Plus access, and up to five activations. The name changed. Nothing else did.

Innovation Beyond the Desktop App

Trust is built across every touchpoint, not just inside the desktop app. A few things from this year that reflect that.

AI Photo Restoration Software: Restore AI

Before 2026.4 shipped, we gave photographers an early look at Restore AI and explained exactly how it works, why it requires Photo RAW MAX, and what the cloud processing model means for perpetual license owners. We didn’t bury the details. Photographers got the full picture before being asked to upgrade.

ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile: The Same Engine, Anywhere

ON1 Photo RAW for Mobile is a free iOS and Android app that uses the same non-destructive RAW processing engine as the desktop. Owners of Photo RAW 2026 unlock all premium features automatically. Combined with ON1 Cloud Sync (included in Photo RAW and Photo Studio subscriptions), photos, edits, albums, and most presets stay current across every device.

The ON1 Photo RAW Awards 2026

To mark the launch of 2026.4, we opened the ON1 Photo RAW Awards 2026, a community photo competition celebrating real work produced and edited with Photo RAW. Three prize tiers, open to photographers worldwide. One clear rule: all editing must be done in Photo RAW. No third-party tools and the work has to be yours.

The Outdoor Photography Conference

In February, we hosted the ON1 Outdoor Photography Conference, a three-day live virtual event built for landscape, wildlife, travel, and environmental portrait photographers. Not a product demo. A working conference built around helping photographers edit with more confidence and efficiency. Anyone can also purchase the recordings from the conference.

Learning, Training, and Community

Innovation without education is just software sitting on a hard drive. This year, ON1 invested significantly in making sure photographers know how to use what they paid for.

The ON1 Learn hub covers everything from first-time imports to advanced masking, with free getting-started courses for Photo RAW 2026, Effects 2026, and Resize AI 2026. Live and recorded webinars run throughout the year across skill levels.

ON1 Plus members have received fresh content every month in 2026: new tutorials, presets, LUTs, eBooks, and photo challenges. The May recap alone included Restore AI walkthroughs, Sky Swap best practices, and a Milky Way live edit. The monthly Photo Remix Challenge gives members a shared image and a prompt to bring their own interpretation. It’s just one of the more genuinely creative things happening in the ON1 photo editing community right now.

Building Photo Editing Software With Photographers, Not Just For Them

In May, our Senior Product Marketing Manager Nathan Keudell wrote about the research process behind every feature: one-on-one interviews, usability sessions where we watch how photographers actually work, roundtable discussions, small group meetups, and surveys. Not asking what people want. Watching where workflows break down.

VP of Product Dan Harlacher has been taking those findings back to the team and letting real-world friction shape what we build next.

That same commitment to honest dialogue shows up in how we handle criticism. When the Restore AI announcement drew pushback from photographers who felt the pricing structure wasn’t fair to existing customers, I did my best to respond directly in the comment thread, not with marketing copy, but with a plain acknowledgment: you’re right that it’s an upsell, and here’s exactly why the pricing is structured this way. That kind of response isn’t easy and isn’t required. It’s how we want to operate.

What Comes Next for ON1 Photo RAW

Raw processing improvements are coming. You’ll see more accurate color and better shadow and highlight recovery across a wider range of cameras. More tools are in development that simplify everyday editing without removing control. Updates will keep arriving frequently.

The goal has not changed since January: give you outstanding results, keep you in control, and build photo editing software you can rely on year after year, with no subscription required.

If you own Photo RAW 2026, every update in the 2026 cycle is included at no additional cost. If you haven’t tried it yet, a free 30-day trial is available today.

Explore ON1 Photo RAW 2026.4 →

By now, you’ve probably heard about Restore AI. If not, it’s an upcoming feature inside ON1 Photo RAW MAX designed to breathe new life into your photos—both old and new.

Restore AI goes far beyond basic cleanup. It uses advanced AI photo restoration to remove dust, scratches, and wrinkles, correct faded color and tone, sharpen blurry images, and even enhance detail or colorize black-and-white photos. In many cases, what once required hours of careful retouching can now be accomplished in seconds. That’s the kind of innovation we believe in—practical, reliable, and built for real photographers.

It’s Not Just About Old Photos

Most of the examples you’ve seen so far focus on very old family photos—images that are 50 to 100 years old. And while Restore AI excels at restoring those, another big opportunity lies in the photos you’ve captured over the last 20 to 30 years. Over the past two or three decades, we’ve all created thousands of digital images—on early DSLRs, smartphones, and compact cameras. At the time, they captured meaningful moments. Today, many of those same images feel soft, noisy, or lacking the detail we’ve come to expect.

Restore AI gives those images a second life—bringing modern quality to moments that still matter.

Fix the Photos You Thought You’d Never Use Again

This is where Restore AI becomes more than a feature, it becomes useful. Photos that once felt outdated or unusable can now become images worth sharing, printing, and preserving. Restore AI recovers detail, clarity, and color in a way that feels natural without over processing.

One Tool. Your Entire Photo Library.

Restore AI is built directly into ON1 Photo RAW MAX, part of a complete workflow designed for photographers. No jumping between apps. No reliance on plugins. Just one place to restore, enhance, and finish your photos. It’s designed to simplify your workflow and not add to it. From century-old prints to early digital captures, Restore AI helps you reclaim your entire photo library with confidence.

Don’t Let Your Best Photos Stay Stuck in the Past

Some of your most meaningful photos aren’t your sharpest ones, they’re the ones you took before the tools caught up to the moment. Restore AI will help bring those photos forward, so they can finally match how you remember them. If you’re ready to bring the older photos in your library up to today’s standards, now is the time to upgrade to ON1 Photo RAW MAX and experience Restore AI.

Availability

ON1 Restore AI will be available soon as a new module exclusively inside ON1 Photo RAW MAX 2026. Existing ON1 Photo RAW 2026 (and earlier versions) owners can upgrade to Photo RAW MAX to access Restore AI, while current Photo RAW MAX 2026 owners will receive Restore AI as part of a free update coming soon.

Perpetual license owners of ON1 Photo RAW MAX 2026 will receive unlimited restorations for one full year using cloud-powered AI. Upgrading to future major versions renews that one-year access, ensuring continued restoration capabilities over time. Subscribers to ON1 Photo RAW MAX or ON1 Photo Studio receive unlimited restorations for as long as their subscription remains active.

AI photo restoration is powerful, but not perfect at this point. Here’s an honest look at what Restore AI will deliver, where it guesses, and why it still will be extremely useful.

Restoring old photos should feel like bringing memories back to life. After a recent online article that shared the announcement for Restore AI photo restoration, including early examples of the results, we saw feedback that highlighted cases where the AI failed. Those opinions were honest. AI can deliver incredible results, and sometimes it can produce outcomes that feel a little… off.

That’s the reality, and also shows where this technology is today. Restore AI is designed to solve problems photographers face: faded prints, dust and scratches, soft scans, heavy grain, and color shifts from aging. In many cases, it does something that used to take hours (manual retouching) and does it in seconds.

But it’s important to understand what it’s really doing. When the original photo contains clear detail, Restore AI enhances it. When details are missing like tiny faces, heavy blur, or damage, the software has to estimate the restoration and then generate results. Not randomly, but based on patterns it has learned from millions of images. That’s where results can vary.

A Portrait, Brought Back to Life

Here’s a photo from the early 1950s of a black-and-white portrait of my father, Mr. Harlacher. The original has soft tones, no color, a moment frozen in time.

By processing the photo through Restore AI you can move from black and white, to sepia, to a fully colorized version. The transformation is striking. The face feels alive again. The image feels closer.

Now look closer. Some might notice the eye on the right looks slightly different. And yes—it does. But it also looks more defined, more natural compared to the original scan. The likeness is still there. The identity is still unmistakable. Do I still recognize my father? Absolutely I do. Does it feel like a faithful representation? Yes, as his son I feel it absolutely does.

Is the color perfect? Not exactly, but it’s remarkably plausible for the era. In fact, better than most traditional colorization workflows without hours of manual work.

There’s one more detail: his eyes were blue, not brown.

But how could any AI know that from a black-and-white photo? It can’t. So it makes an educated guess. Here’s where control comes in with Restore AI. With Restore AI, you can retry and guide the result. In this case, adding a simple prompt produced a version with blue eyes, closer to reality, and more meaningful for my family.

That’s the real story: not perfection, but a ton of progress with creative control.

When There’s Almost Nothing to Work With

Now lets take a look at a different image. An old black-and-white print of a house. The photo itself is out of focus. The subjects being the women standing in the doorway, are tiny. Each face is roughly 28×28 pixels. That’s less than 0.03% of the entire image.

In the original, they’re barely recognizable. In fact, the photo is more about the house than the people. When Restore AI processes this image, several things happen at once. It enlarges the photo, reduces blur, removes scratches, and colorizes the scene. Most notably, it reconstructs the faces by adding detail where almost none existed.

Now take a step back and ask yourself this question. Are those faces in the original photo perfectly accurate? There’s no way to know. The original simply doesn’t contain enough information. But here’s a better question: is the restored version (far right) good enough to print and frame? For most people, no. But when viewed as part of the full image, it becomes more usable. The original just doesn’t contain enough information to get a good result.

It’s also worth noting that the quality of these reconstructed faces (far right) is significantly improved compared to early prototype results that were recently shared publicly (center). The technology is evolving quickly, and the difference shows, but it’s not quite there for photos like these.

The Reality of AI Restoration

It’s easy to look at edge cases and judge the entire technology by its limits. But that misses the bigger picture. Just a short time ago, results like these would have been considered impossible without hours of manual retouching. Today, these results are produced in seconds. That doesn’t mean AI is perfect, but it does mean it’s useful.

Restore AI is designed to get you most of the way there—fast. It removes the heavy lifting so you can focus on refining the result. With layers, masking, and other tools in ON1 Photo RAW MAX, you’re never locked into a single output. You can blend, adjust, and guide the final image to match your intent.

That’s the difference between automation and workflow.

Aligning Expectations with Outcomes

The key to getting the most out of Restore AI is understanding what you want from it. If your goal is to preserve family memories, digitize old collections, or bring new life to aging photos, it can be a huge advantage in your workflow. It gives you something you didn’t have before which is a clean, detailed, believable version of the past.

If your goal is pixel-perfect, forensic-level accuracy, especially from severely damaged or tiny source material, you will likely need to refine the result manually and be willing to put in the time and effort. That’s perfectly okay, because even then, you’re starting from a place that used to take hours to reach.

Great or Grotesque?

It’s a fair question. The answer depends on your expectations. If you expect perfection from imperfect inputs, you’ll find flaws in the results. If you recognize what’s being recovered vs. what’s being estimated, you’ll see something different.

You’ll see a tool that brings back moments that were fading away.

You’ll see a faster path to meaningful results.

And you’ll see just how quickly this technology is improving.

So the better question might be: What memories do you want to bring back? Because with Restore AI, you’re closer than ever to doing exactly that.

Here are a few more restorations using Restore AI. The first image (the woman standing in the boat) needed a bit more refinement, especially in the scenery. So I jumped over to ON1 Effects to make some adjustments to the shoreline and added a little extra detail in some spots. That’s really where this starts to come together.

Restore AI gets you close, fast. But it’s the full workflow in ON1 Photo RAW MAX that lets you take it further—dial things in, guide the result, and make it your own.

And when you see it all working together, it’s not just about fixing an image.

It’s about finishing it.

Can’t wait for you to use it.

Ready to see what’s possible? Learn more about Restore AI pricing and availability and start bringing your memories back to life.

One of the most common questions photographers ask when starting with ON1 Photo RAW is: “Do I need a catalog to organize my photos?”

If you’re coming from Adobe Lightroom, this question makes sense. Lightroom relies heavily on a catalog database to manage and organize images. In Lightroom, photos must be imported into a catalog before editing can begin.

ON1 Photo RAW works differently.

Instead of forcing photographers into a single workflow, it allows you to work directly with your existing folders on disk while also supporting catalog-based organization if you want it. This flexibility is one of the biggest differences between Lightroom catalog vs folder workflow systems. Understanding how Browse and Catalog workflows work in ON1 Photo RAW will help you manage your photos more efficiently and avoid confusion like:

• Do I need a catalog?
• Why are my photos missing?
• What’s the difference between Browse and Cataloged photos?

How Photo Organization Works in ON1 Photo RAW

ON1 Photo RAW is designed to provide flexible photo management software for photographers. Unlike catalog-only applications, it allows photographers to work directly with their existing folder structure while still offering catalog tools for faster searching and organization.

Inside the Browse module, ON1 Photo RAW provides two primary ways to view and organize images:

• Browse — navigate folders directly on your drives
• My Catalogs — view folders that have been cataloged

These two approaches allow photographers to work with their images in the way that feels most natural, whether they prefer direct folder navigation or database-powered searching. Many photographers will even use a combination of both workflows.

Browse Mode: Editing Photos Directly from Folders

Browse mode is the simplest way to manage photos in ON1 Photo RAW. Instead of importing images into a catalog database, you can navigate directly to folders on your hard drive and begin working with them immediately. ON1 Photo RAW reads the images directly from disk and generates previews so you can view and edit photos without any import step.

This approach is often described as photo organization without a catalog, and it’s one of the reasons many photographers choose ON1 Photo RAW as a Lightroom alternative. Your folder structure remains exactly as you created it, and your photos are accessible outside the software. Edits are stored next to the original images using small .ON1 sidecar files, which store all of the editing adjustments for a complete non-destructive workflow. This design allows photographers to back up their photos easily and move folders between drives or computers without losing any of their edits. Just remember to keep the sidecars in the same folder as your images.

Cataloged Folders: Faster Searching for Large Photo Libraries

While ON1 Photo RAW works perfectly fine without having to catalog photos, it also supports cataloged folders for photographers who want faster browsing and searching. When a folder is cataloged, ON1 Photo RAW creates preview files and metadata indexes for the photos inside that folder. This allows the software to browse and search those images much faster.

Cataloging is especially helpful when working with very large libraries because it enables features like searching by:

• keyword
• rating
• color label
• capture date
• camera or lens

For example, wedding photographers or event photographers who manage hundreds of thousands of images often catalog their main archive so they can locate photos quickly. It’s important to note that folders are cataloged, not individual photos. The original image files still remain in their existing folders on disk.

How Cataloged Folders Update Automatically

When a folder is cataloged, ON1 Photo RAW continues to monitor it for changes. If new photos are added to that folder, ON1 can update the catalog and generate previews for those images. This ensures the catalog stays synchronized with the actual contents of the folder. Because ON1 Photo RAW always keeps the original files in their folders on disk, photographers maintain full control over their image organization. This hybrid approach gives photographers the flexibility of a folder workflow with the performance benefits of a catalog database.

Lightroom Catalog vs Folder Workflow

Many photographers researching ON1 Photo RAW are comparing Lightroom catalog vs folder system workflows. Lightroom requires photos to be imported into a catalog database before editing can begin. The catalog keeps track of file locations, edits, and metadata.

ON1 Photo RAW offers more flexibility because it allows photographers to work directly with folders on disk without importing images first.

Here is a simple comparison.

Because ON1 Photo RAW supports photo organization without a catalog, photographers can start editing immediately while keeping their files organized exactly how they want on their hard drive.

Why Do Photos Sometimes Appear Missing?

Another common question photographers ask is:

“Why are my photos missing?”

This usually happens when folders or files are moved outside the software. If the catalog no longer knows where a folder is located, it may temporarily show those images as missing. In ON1 Photo RAW, this issue is easy to fix in most cases. This is because the software can read images directly from folders on disk, navigating to the new folder location will allow ON1 to locate the photos again. This is another advantage of a folder-based workflow, since your images remain accessible through your operating system even if the catalog reference changes.

Do You Need a Catalog in ON1 Photo RAW?

The short answer is no. You can use ON1 Photo RAW entirely with a folder-based workflow if you prefer. Many photographers choose this approach because it allows them to organize photos exactly as they want on their drives. However, catalogs can still be helpful if you want faster searching across large image libraries or advanced filtering options. ON1 Photo RAW supports both workflows so photographers are free to choose the approach that best fits their needs.

A Recommended Workflow for Most Photographers

Many photographers find the best results by combining both approaches.

A common setup might include:

• using Browse mode for everyday editing
• cataloging large archive folders
• using catalog search tools to locate images quickly

This approach combines the flexibility of a folder-based workflow with the speed of catalog searching.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between Browse and Catalog workflows removes one of the biggest points of confusion for photographers new to ON1 Photo RAW. Remember, unlike traditional catalog-only software like Lightroom, ON1 Photo RAW allows photographers to organize photos using either a folder-based workflow and/or a catalog system.

Whether you prefer photo organization without a catalog or want the performance benefits of indexed searching, ON1 Photo RAW gives photographers the flexibility to manage their images in the way that works best for them. Learn more about the photo organization features in ON1 Photo RAW.

When you edit RAW photos in ON1 Photo RAW, every adjustment is processed in a specific order behind the scenes. Exposure, color, retouching, AI tools, and effects all build on the underlying RAW data. Without a consistent structure, edits could conflict or produce inconsistent results.

ON1 Photo RAW isn’t just a collection of tools. It’s a structured, non-destructive photo editing system. Behind the scenes, ON1 Photo RAW applies your edits in a specific order so RAW processing, AI enhancements, local adjustments, layers, and creative effects work together properly.

You don’t need to edit in that order. The order you edit is not the same as the order Photo RAW processes those edits. You can make adjustments in any sequence, and ON1 Photo RAW automatically processes them in the correct order behind the scenes.

What is the Editing Pipeline?

Think of it like the foundation and framing of a house. You can decorate the rooms in any order, but the structure underneath determines how everything is built and held together. The editing pipeline is the internal order in which ON1 Photo RAW applies adjustments to your image. Even if you edit in a different sequence, ON1 Photo RAW processes those changes in the correct order to preserve quality and flexibility.

For a single-layer image, the process works like this:

• The original file is the base. Usually this is a RAW file but it can be any supported file type.
• If you use NoNoise AI or TackSharp AI, they are applied directly to the base image first for the best results. In fact, NoNoise AI replaces the fast debayering algorithm with a dedicated low-noise AI model instead.
• Retouching (dust removal, blemishes, Perfect Eraser) is applied next to the base pixels..
• Develop adjustments follow (color profiles, exposure, white balance, sharpening, noise reduction).
• Local adjustments are applied next, leveraging the full raw tonal range.
• Transform adjustments follow.
• Portrait AI edits are applied after that.
• Effects filters are processed near the end.
• Cropping and rotation are applied last.

When working with multiple layers, this full sequence runs on each layer individually before the layers are combined. Each layer is treated as a complete image before blending. This keeps adjustments clean and predictable.

True Non-Destructive Editing

ON1 Photo RAW 2026 provides true non-destructive RAW editing.

You can browse images in the Browse module, open a file in the Edit module, and apply cropping, healing, Develop, local adjustments, Effects, Sky Swap AI or Portrait AI, changes. At every stage, ON1 Photo RAW works from your original file.

Your RAW file is never altered.

You can return to any Edit tab or feature; Develop, Effects, Sky Swap AI, Local Adjustments, or Portrait AI, at any time and change your settings. Nothing is permanently baked in. When working with layers, ON1 Photo RAW saves your file in its non-destructive .onphoto format, which preserves all layers and editing instructions, all the way down to the original raw data. When you’re ready to share or deliver your image, you export to JPEG, TIFF, PSD, or another supported format. Your master file remains fully editable.

Why You Need to Understand the Editing Pipeline

You don’t need to memorize the exact order.

But understanding the pipeline helps you:

• Troubleshoot when something doesn’t look right. For example, order of filters matters in Effects. Placing a color filter after a Black and White will tint the photo, while reversing the order will influence the Black and White conversation instead.
• Understand why sharpening or noise reduction behaves a certain way. These are costly algorithms and may be turned off at times when adjusting some AI features.
• Know why a layer blend looks the way it does
• Edit with more confidence
• Avoid unnecessary rework

What This Means for Your Photo Editing Workflow

You can edit in any order you want with ON1 Photo RAW. ON1 Photo RAW handles the structure. For example, if you remove a dust spot at the end of your edit—even after adjusting exposure or applying effects—ON1 Photo RAW automatically places that retouching step in the correct position in the editing pipeline. Or if you change exposure after applying effects, ON1 Photo RAW recalculates it properly. ON1 Photo RAW protects your image quality while giving you complete flexibility.

That’s the real benefit:

• Less guessing.
• Fewer surprises.
• More confidence in your results.

Built on Trust and Innovation

The editing pipeline reflects our larger philosophy. Innovation means powerful AI tools, advanced RAW processing, and modern layer-based editing. Trust means predictable results, transparency, and full control over your images.

ON1 Photo RAW 2026 delivers both — an all-in-one photo editor that combines performance with professional structure, without subscription lock-in.

Looking to utilize the power of AI on your next photography project but don’t want another subscription? ON1 Photo RAW delivers a full suite of AI tools — noise reduction, sharpening, upscaling, portrait retouching — inside a single, perpetual-license app. It’s the best choice for creatives who want cutting-edge AI without recurring monthly fees.

Why AI Matters for Modern Photography

AI is changing photography forever. It saves time on tedious tasks and unlocks new creative possibilities — from instantly cleaning up noisy images to one-click retouching. With ON1 Photo RAW, you get these tools built-in, no extra subscription or plugin required.

AI Feature Showdown: ON1 vs. Competitors

CTA: Explore Full AI Feature Comparison — unbiased, side-by-side look.

AI for Noise Reduction

ON1’s NoNoise AI uses deep learning to detect and remove luminance and color noise while preserving fine detail. It works on RAW files and produces natural results with a single click — perfect for astrophotography, concerts, and other high-ISO images.

AI for Sharpening Blurry Photos

Tack Sharp AI analyzes motion and focus blur separately, applying targeted corrections that recover detail without halos. It’s ideal for slightly soft wildlife, sports, or handheld shots.

AI for Portrait Enhancement

Portrait AI automatically detects faces, smooths skin, whitens eyes and teeth, and allows manual overrides for full control — producing natural, client-ready results with minimal effort.

AI for Image Upscaling

Resize AI uses deep learning to intelligently upscale images up to 10x, preserving texture and edges. It’s perfect for large prints, crops, or repurposing older low-res photos.

AI-Powered Workflow Efficiency

Beyond image quality, ON1 uses AI to make your entire workflow faster:

• Intelligent AI Masking: Instantly select subjects, skies, or backgrounds.
• Keyword AI: Auto-suggest tags for better organization.
• AI Culling (ON1 Pro): Preview and rate images at lightning speed. *Requires a Subscription*

Pro Tip: Combine AI culling + batch noise reduction for a massive time savings on wedding and event shoots.

Lightroom/Photoshop Plugin Workflow

Prefer to stay in Adobe? ON1’s AI tools run as plugins:

1. Send a photo from Lightroom or Photoshop.
2. Apply NoNoise AI, Tack Sharp AI, or Resize AI.
3. Save back to your catalog as a PSD or TIFF.

This lets you add AI power without disrupting your existing workflow.

FAQs for AI-Curious Creatives

Is ON1’s AI included with the perpetual license?
Yes — no extra payment is required beyond optional upgrades.

How does ON1 compare to Topaz Photo AI?
ON1 offers multiple AI tools in one app plus full RAW workflow, making it more cost-effective.

Can I use ON1’s AI as a plugin?
Yes, ON1 AI tools run as plugins for Lightroom and Photoshop.

Does ON1 run on both Mac and Windows?
Yes, with identical feature sets.

Get Started with AI-Enhanced Editing

Download the free trial and test NoNoise AI, Tack Sharp AI, and Resize AI on your own photos — see why ON1 is the most complete AI photo editor you can own.

Photography is all about capturing the right moment—but even the best shots can have common mishaps. The good news? With ON1 Photo RAW and its suite of AI tools, you can correct these in seconds, keeping creativity flowing instead of workflows stalled.

1. Overexposed Highlights? Bring Back Detail with Smart Recovery

Bright skies or blown-out highlights got you down? No sweat. Brilliance AI intelligently finds tone imbalances—including skies and water—and brings them back to life with one click. For stubborn highlights, Layer-based Local Adjustments let you mask and refine perfect detail.

2. Too Much Noise or Grain? Clean Up Fast

High ISO or low-light conditions often leave unwanted grain. That’s no longer a problem—NoNoise AI removes noise while keeping details sharp, all in an instant. Use it inside ON1 Photo RAW or as a standalone when you need clean, crisp results.

3. Flat, Dull Skies? Swap or Enhance Instantly

A dull sky can kill a photo’s mood. With Sky Swap AI, ON1 detects and masks the sky automatically—just choose a new one from the 231 included (or bring your own)—and watch the image transform naturally.

4. Unwanted Objects? Remove Them Easily

Blemishes, stray objects, or distractions—gone in a flash. The powerful Generative Eraser tool lets you remove any element from your image with a single brush stroke, all while preserving realism.

5. Missing Sharpness or Detail? Sharpen with AI Support

Sometimes photos look soft or out of focus—especially action shots. TackSharp AI uses smart algorithms to restore clarity and crispness fast, bringing the focal point back into focus.

Bonus Tip: Enhance Portraits in Seconds

Shooting portraits? Portrait AI is your best friend. It auto-detects faces and applies flattering, natural adjustments—from skin smoothing to eye enhancements—all with intuitive sliders.

Why ON1’s AI Tools Work So Fast (and Seamlessly)

Ready to Make Editing a Breeze?

Try ON1 Photo RAW for free today and experience how intuitive, AI-powered editing can make photo fixes instant—and fun.

Looking for the best way to enlarge photos without losing quality? Whether you’re a photographer, designer, or AI artist, ON1 Resize AI 2026 is the all-new solution you’ve been waiting for. This powerful AI photo enlargement software now features two brand-new AI models designed to deliver incredible upscaling—even from low-res, noisy, or heavily cropped images.

Using the latest in generative and diffusion AI, Resize AI 2026 rebuilds detail, sharpens edges, and cleans up noise to deliver gallery-worthy results at any size. It’s perfect for large-format printing, restoring old photos, or transforming smartphone snapshots into wall art.

“Resize AI 2026 is like having a pro-level zoom lens in post,” says Craig Keudell, President of ON1. “It gives photographers and creators more flexibility and freedom to print big—without compromise.”

What’s New in ON1 Resize AI 2026?

New High Quality AI Model
Built with an expanded training dataset of real-world imagery, this new model leverages diffusion-based AI to intelligently reconstruct textures, fill in missing details, and minimize artifacts. It’s ideal for those who need the best photo resizer for printing, mainly from imperfect or older files.

New Standard AI Model for High-Volume Workflows
Need to process hundreds of images? The new standard model is faster than ever—offering improved quality over previous versions and optimized for batch editing and performance on older hardware.

Who Is Resize AI 2026 For?

Resize AI 2026 is the ideal image upscaling software for a wide range of customers:

• Photographers enlarging cropped or mobile images into sharp, printable files
• Designers turning digital art and illustrations into billboards or canvas prints
• Print shops looking for a reliable tool that delivers consistent, high-quality output
• AI art creators who want to cleanly upscale generative artwork
• Photo restorers bringing new life to vintage or damaged images

If you’ve ever struggled to make a small photo look big, Resize AI 2026 was made for you.

Availability and Compatibility

ON1 Resize AI 2026 is available today on both the macOS and Windows. It works as a standalone app and integrates seamlessly as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and other editing platforms. It’s also included in the ON1 Everything and Everything Plus subscription plans, offering the best value for those using multiple ON1 applications.

Already own a previous version? You can upgrade today at a discounted price.
New to Resize AI? Download a free trial here and test it on your own images.

Don’t settle for pixelated prints or blurry enlargements. Try Resize AI 2026 today and see how AI can help you enlarge any image with stunning clarity and detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Resize AI 2026 better than the previous version?

Resize AI 2026 includes two brand-new AI models: a High Quality diffusion-based model for the best quality and a Standard model optimized for batch work. Both deliver noticeably better results than previous versions.

Can Resize AI really improve noisy or low-resolution images?

Yes! The new models are trained to rebuild fine details, reduce noise, and sharpen edges—turning noisy, low-res files into clean, print-ready images.

Is Resize AI 2026 only for photographers?

Not at all. It’s perfect for photographers and also digital artists, designers, print labs, and even AI art creators looking to scale their work for large displays or commercial use.

Does it work as an Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom Classic plugin?

Yes. Resize AI 2026 works as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Capture One, or as a fully-featured standalone application.

How do I get Resize AI 2026?

Visit the Resize AI 2026 product page to download a free trial or purchase the software. Upgrade discounts are available for existing users.

Ever wonder which photo enlarging software gives you the best results? In this post, we tested the new ON1 Resize AI 2026 against our older version and a leading competitor to see how each one handled real photos—from wildlife to AI art.

The results speak for themselves.

When it comes to AI photo upscaling and image enlargement, the main competitors are Topaz Gigapixel AI, Adobe Photoshop (Super Resolution), and Luminar Neo (Upscale AI). Topaz is known for its dedicated AI upscaling app, often favored for extreme enlargements. Adobe’s Super Resolution is built into Camera Raw and Lightroom, offering basic upscaling inside a familiar workflow. Luminar Neo has upscaling with limited control. Unlike these options, ON1 Resize AI combines pro-level upscaling quality with built-in tools for cropping, tiling, print preparation, and batch processing—without requiring extra subscriptions or plugins.

We’re not here to knock anyone. All of these tools aim to solve a similar problem: how to turn a small or noisy photo into something clean, sharp, and print-ready. We’re really proud of how far Resize AI 2026 has come, so we wanted to share the results directly with you.

What Is Photo Upscaling or Enlargement?

Photo upscaling (also known as image enlargement or super resolution) is the process of increasing the size of a photo without compromising image quality. It’s useful when:

• You crop in tight on a subject and need more resolution
• You want to make a big print or canvas
• You’re working with older or lower-res images
• You use AI art, stock photos, or files from mobile devices

The tricky part? Digital images are made of pixels—and when you scale them up, you need to create new pixels that didn’t exist before. That’s where photo enlargement software comes in—it tries to fill in the blanks without making your photo blurry or full of artifacts.

From Fractals to AI: How ON1 Resize Has Evolved

Long before AI was mainstream, ON1 led the way in image upscaling with our Genuine Fractals® technology. The technology was a patented method that utilized fractal-based interpolation to identify repeating patterns in a photo and generate sharp, high-quality enlargements.

Instead of just stretching pixels, Genuine Fractals analyzed the texture and structure of your image and used math to guess what the new pixels should be. It was smart—and it made Resize famous in the photo industry for professional-quality enlargements.

But AI goes even further.

Today, ON1 Resize AI 2026 uses deep learning models trained on millions of real-world photos. That means Resize AI can understand what it’s looking at—such as feathers, fur, eyes, grass, or clouds—and recreate missing details in a way that looks natural and sharp.

With AI, it’s not just math anymore—it’s intelligence. The software knows how to rebuild textures, sharpen edges, and smooth out noise, all while making the photo appear as if it came straight from a higher-end camera.

In short:

• Genuine Fractals used smart math
• AI uses smart learning
• AI models can restore detail that traditional tools simply couldn’t predict

Let’s Look at the Results

We tested Resize AI 2026 using four real-world photo scenarios and compared it to the older Resize AI 2023.5 and a top competitor. Here’s what we found.

Example 1: Bald Eagle (Cropped Wildlife Photo)

We began with this photo of a bald eagle taken from quite a distance. We zoomed in 4x on the eagle’s face to see how each tool handled feather texture and sharp edges.

What stood out:

• Resize AI 2026 (Best Quality): Razor-sharp details, especially in feathers and eye clarity
• Fast model: Clean and quick—great for batch processing
• Older Resize AI 2023.5: Softer with less detail
• Top Competitor: Smoothed out textures more than we liked

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 (Highest Quality) gave the most lifelike and detailed result.

Example 2: Bird and Nest (Low Light and Texture)

This one was tricky—low light, soft edges, and lots of natural textures. We zoomed in tight on the bird’s eye and feathers.

What we saw:

• Highest Quality model: Rebuilt fine textures without adding fake sharpness
• Standard model: A solid upgrade over 2023.5 with better clarity
• 2023.5 version: Some artifacts and muddiness
• Top Competitor: Looked more painterly, less structured

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 handled soft and complex textures really well.

Example 3: Black-winged Stilt in Grass (Feathers and Fine Detail)

This bird photo was taken from a distance, so we zoomed way in to test feather detail and sharpness.

What we found:

• Highest Quality model: Clear, natural feathers and realistic color
• Standard model: Looks great and sharp enough for most use cases
• 2023.5 version: Decent, but missing finer detail
• Top Competitor: Lost texture in the feathers

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 gives you pro-level results—even when you crop in tight.

Example 4: Great Egret on a Stump (Feathers and Fine Detail)

This bird was photographed from far away with a foggy backdrop, so we zoomed way in to see how each model handled soft gradients, feather texture, and edge clarity.

What we found:

• Highest Quality model: Smooth tones, sharp details around the eye and beak, and natural-looking feathers
• Standard model: Slightly softer, but still excellent and ideal for large batches
• 2023.5 version: Softer overall and a bit plasticky in the fine details
• Top Competitor: Added some sharpness, but also noise and jagged lines

Bottom line: Resize AI 2026 keeps things sharp and clean—even in tricky low-contrast scenes like this one.

A Word from Dan Harlacher, VP of Product at ON1

“With Resize AI 2026, we pushed to solve the biggest challenges in photo upscaling—restoring lost detail and texture without introducing weird artifacts. What’s impressive is that it works on a wide range of content: old digital photos, smartphone shots, AI-generated art, and even tight crops from long lenses. We’re proud of how well it holds up in these comparisons.”
— Dan Harlacher, ON1

What Makes Resize AI 2026 a Breakthrough?

• Two AI Models:
  • Highest Quality Model for maximum detail
  • Standard Model for speed and bulk editing
• Smarter Noise Cleanup
• Realistic Texture Recovery
• Perfect for Wildlife, Portraits, AI Art, and Prints
• Easy to Use on Any Image Type

Resize AI 2026 isn’t just better than our older version—it’s a big step forward in upscaling and photo enlargements.

Try ON1 Resize AI for Free

Want to see the difference for yourself?

Download the Free Trial of ON1 Resize AI 2026
See Full Feature List and Examples

Whether you’re printing photos, restoring old photos, or editing client images, Resize AI 2026 gives you the resolution you need.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Best AI Photo Enlargement Software

What makes ON1 Resize AI 2026 different from other photo upscaling software?

Resize AI 2026 includes two brand-new AI models—Highest Quality and Standard—designed to give better results than ever before. The Highest Quality model brings out more detail and texture, while the Standard model is faster and great for large batches. Both models outperform traditional resizing methods by delivering sharp, realistic photo enlargements.

Can I use Resize AI 2026 to enlarge AI-generated images or art?

Yes! Resize AI 2026 works especially well on AI-generated art and low-res digital graphics. The Highest Quality model helps retain clean edges, smooth gradients, and fine detail—perfect for these AI-generated images or stylized images that other tools might struggle with.

How does Resize AI 2026 compare to ON1 Resize AI 2023.5?

Resize AI 2026 takes a big step forward with two smarter AI models. The Highest Quality model offers better detail recovery and texture realism, while the Standard model gives you quicker results for everyday use. It also improves how noise and compression artifacts are handled compared to the 2023.5 version.

Is Resize AI 2026 good for making large prints?

Absolutely. Resize AI 2026 is built for photographers and artists who need to make big, sharp prints. Whether you’re printing a poster, canvas, or fine art piece, it can upscale your images cleanly while keeping textures and edges intact. It’s one of the best tools available for professional-quality photo enlargements.

Low-resolution images, heavy crops, and AI-generated artwork often fall apart when enlarged. The result? Blurry, unprintable photos that lack the fine detail needed for large-format output.

Those are the problems the new ON1 Resize AI 2026 was built to solve. Launching in early August, this next-generation image resizer software introduces two powerful new AI models that dramatically improve detail, clarity, and print-readiness—without the blur, artifacts, or lag found in traditional tools.

“What makes Resize AI 2026 so exciting for us is how much more natural the results look, especially with the new Highest Quality model. It can take a small, noisy image and turn it into something that looks truly printable. It’s a big leap forward for anyone who’s struggled with low-res files or aggressive crops,” says Dan Harlacher, VP of Product.

Two New AI Models: One Built for Quality, One for Speed

Resize AI 2026 introduces both the Highest Quality Model and the Standard Model, providing photographers and creatives with the flexibility to upscale images according to their specific needs. The models are ran locally and so Resize AI 2026 doesn’t require any cloud processing or additional credits to perform the upscaling.

• New Highest Quality Model: Uses advanced diffusion-based AI to reconstruct natural-looking textures and edges with remarkable realism. Perfect for tight crops, old scans, AI art, or anything destined for gallery-quality printing.

  

• New Standard Model: Optimized for batch performance, this model handles low-resolution or noisy input while maintaining high speeds—even on older GPUs or large sets of photos.

  

• Both models are built to help you turn low-resolution images into clean, sharp photo enlargements.

Powered by ON1’s Industry-Leading Photo Enlargement Technology

Unlike basic upscaling plugins or generic editing tools, ON1 Resize AI is purpose-built for photo enlargement. Originally backed by ON1’s patented Genuine Fractals® technology, version 2026 is enhanced with modern AI for results that look crisp, realistic, and natural at up to 10x enlargement. It also includes everything photographers need for a complete print-ready workflow, including:

• Built-in tiling for mural prints
• Canvas wrap margins for gallery displays
• Smart presets for printer, DPI, and paper type
• Soft proofing and real-time print previews

Read more about the science behind Resize AI’s enlargement process in Photo Enlargement Science Is in the Details.

Seamless Integration with Your Workflow

Resize AI 2026 works as both a standalone application and a plugin for:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Lightroom Classic
• Capture One

Whether you edit with ON1 or Adobe, you’ll get full access to Resize AI’s tools with just a click—no complex exports or conversions required.

Built for Print-Ready Batch Processing

Professional and high-volume photographers will love Resize AI’s powerful batch export system, which allows you to:

• Resize dozens—or even hundreds—of photos at once.
• Apply the Fast or Best Quality AI model automatically.
• Add gallery wrap margins, watermarks, or custom export settings.
• Output layered Photoshop files with masks and text intact.

Pre-Order Benefits: Save Now, Be First in Line

ON1 Resize AI 2026 will be available in early August, but you can pre-order now at a discounted price. ON1 customers can also log in for exclusive loyalty pricing.

Pre-ordering locks in the best deal and also ensures you’ll be among the first to access the software as soon as it’s released.

Get Ready for Resize AI 2026

ON1 Resize AI 2026 is the perfect solution for anyone frustrated with blurry upscales, soft edges, or wasted prints. With two powerful new AI models, it’s never been easier to turn your small files into big, beautiful results. Don’t miss your chance to save—pre-order now and be first to get Resize AI 2026 this August. Once the software arrives in early August, it’s backed by our 30 day money back guarantee, so there’s no risk in pre-ordering!

Learn More and Pre-Order Resize AI 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When is ON1 Resize AI 2026 coming out?

Resize AI 2026 is launching in early August. Pre-order now to be among the first to receive it and lock in special pricing.

Is Resize AI 2026 included in ON1 Everything subscriptions?

Yes. ON1 Everything and Everything Plus subscribers will get Resize AI 2026 automatically when it becomes available.

What makes Resize AI 2026 different from other photo enlargers?

It includes two cutting-edge AI models, print-focused tools like tiling and gallery wraps, and is optimized for quality and speed in one package.