Best Image Restoration APIs in 2026
Restoring an old, scratched, or low-resolution photo, recovering a face, clearing noise, sharpening detail, is now a one-call API job. The right model depends on whether you are fixing portraits, general images, or heavy degradation. This guide tracks the image restoration API catalog on Pixazo and compares the 4 models you can run today, all from one endpoint.
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One key for every restorer. Each restoration model here runs on the same Pixazo endpoint, so you switch with a single parameter and pay only for what you process. Get a free API key →
Image Restoration models at a glance
| Model | Provider | What it’s best for |
|---|---|---|
| Flux 3 | Black Forest Labs | Cutting-edge AI image generation with Dev, Pro, and Schnell variants. |
| Real-ESRGAN | Tencent ARC | Advanced AI image restoration |
| Codeformer | S-Lab NTU | Robust face restoration |
| GFPGAN | Tencent ARC | Restore images with AI. |
Quick picks
- Flux 3: Cutting-edge AI image generation with Dev, Pro, and Schnell variants.
- Real-ESRGAN: Advanced AI image restoration
- Codeformer: Robust face restoration
The 4 best image restoration models on Pixazo
1. Flux 3 by Black Forest Labs
Cutting-edge AI image generation with Dev, Pro, and Schnell variants. Available on the Pixazo API through one unified endpoint, so you can benchmark it against the others on your own inputs without changing your integration.
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2. Real-ESRGAN by Tencent ARC
Advanced AI image restoration Available on the Pixazo API through one unified endpoint, so you can benchmark it against the others on your own inputs without changing your integration.
3. Codeformer by S-Lab NTU
Robust face restoration Available on the Pixazo API through one unified endpoint, so you can benchmark it against the others on your own inputs without changing your integration.
4. GFPGAN by Tencent ARC
Restore images with AI. Available on the Pixazo API through one unified endpoint, so you can benchmark it against the others on your own inputs without changing your integration.
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Start with the Image Restoration API
Every model here runs through one Pixazo API key — pick a model, send a request, and switch freely as new models launch.
Explore the Image Restoration API
Or browse the full model catalog across image, video, and audio.
Frequently asked questions
Which image restoration API is best in 2026?
It depends on your use case — Flux 3, Real-ESRGAN and Codeformer are among the strongest right now. Because every model here runs on one Pixazo endpoint, the fastest way to decide is to test them on your own inputs.
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Can I switch between these models without changing my code?
Yes. Pixazo exposes every image restoration model through a single API — you change one model parameter, not your integration, and billing stays unified.
Are new models added automatically?
This list is refreshed from Pixazo’s live image restoration catalog, so newly launched models appear on the same endpoint as they go live.
How does pricing work?
Pay-as-you-go through one key, with no per-provider contracts. See the Image Restoration API page for current rates.
Is there a free image restoration API to start with?
Yes. Create a free key from the Pixazo API console and call any model on this list right away, then move to pay-as-you-go as your volume grows.
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Do I need a separate API key for each model?
No. One Pixazo key works across every image restoration model here, so you can benchmark and switch models without managing separate credentials or contracts.
Which model should I start with?
Flux 3, Real-ESRGAN, Codeformer are strong defaults today. Because they share one endpoint, the fastest way to choose is to run the same input through each and compare.
Can I use the outputs commercially?
Commercial rights depend on the specific model you call. Check each model page for its licensing terms before shipping to production.
How do I get started with the image restoration API?
Grab a key from the API console, pick a model from the list above, and send your first request to the unified endpoint.
Model list sourced from the live Pixazo Image Restoration API catalog. Written by Deepak Joshi, reviewed by Abhinav Girdhar. Last updated July 2026.
Deepak Joshi
Author · Pixazo
Deepak writes about generative AI models, APIs, and the workflows teams use to ship them. Reviewed by Abhinav Girdhar.