Looking for a free way to upscale low-res anime, pixel art, or retro game footage? Video2X is a popular open-source tool that uses AI-powered image upscaling models to enhance video quality frame by frame. While it's favored by enthusiasts for its customization and no-cost appeal, its setup and performance can be hit-or-miss depending on your needs. In this review, we'll cover what Video2X is, how to download and use it, its key features, pros and cons, and a step-by-step tutorial. Plus, if you're after a smoother, faster, and more modern experience, we'll also introduce Aiarty Video Enhancer as a top alternative. Let's explore whether Video2X is still worth your time in 2025.
What is Video2X
Video2X is a free, open-source video upscaler software designed to upscale videos by processing each frame as an individual image using advanced AI-based algorithms. Primarily built for low-resolution animations, such as anime or pixel art, Video2X enhances visual clarity by applying models like Waifu2X, Anime4K, and SRMD—all known for preserving fine detail while reducing noise and blur. Rather than directly increasing resolution through conventional means, Video2X intelligently reconstructs each frame, resulting in sharper, more defined output. It's particularly popular among anime fans, retro gamers, and digital artists who want to breathe new life into old or low-res footage. While it doesn't offer a modern graphical interface and may require some technical setup, its ability to deliver high-quality results for free makes it a compelling tool for upscaling enthusiasts who are comfortable with a bit of manual configuration.
Video2X Download
Getting started with Video2X is relatively simple—especially if you're using Windows or Linux. To begin, head over to the official Video2X GitHub releases page and download the latest version. There, you'll find several pre-built options depending on your operating system.
- For Windows: Choose the video2x-qt6-windows-amd64-installer.exe if you prefer a guided installation with desktop shortcuts and automatic setup. If you want a portable version, download the .zip archive instead, extract it to a folder, and run the executable directly.
- For Linux: The easiest method is downloading the .AppImage file, which runs as a self-contained application without installation. Make sure to give it executable permissions (chmod +x filename.AppImage) before launching.
Note: Video2X does not offer an official macOS build. While there are experimental container-based methods (e.g., Docker or Podman), they're not beginner-friendly and may cause compatibility issues. If you're on a Mac and want a reliable, hassle-free solution, Aiarty Video Enhancer is a great alternative. It's fully compatible with macOS and offers advanced AI upscaling with a clean, intuitive interface—no command line or manual configuration needed.
Once you've downloaded the appropriate version, you can proceed with setting up dependencies (if using the CLI version) or launch the GUI directly to begin enhancing your videos. Check the detailed Video2X tutorial >>
Key Features of Video2X
Video2X stands out as a specialized tool for AI-powered video upscaling, particularly for anime, pixel art, and low-resolution game footage. Here are its core features that make it a favorite among tech-savvy users:
AI-Based Frame-by-Frame Upscaling
Unlike traditional upscalers, Video2X enhances quality by processing each frame individually using deep learning models. By leveraging AI models like Waifu2X, Anime4K, SRMD, and Real-ESRGAN, it reconstructs details with impressive clarity while minimizing noise and blur.
Multiple Model Support
Video2X allows users to choose from a variety of AI models depending on their specific needs. Waifu2X works best for anime-style content, Anime4K is suited for fast performance with minimal quality loss, and Real-ESRGAN excels in general video enhancement.
Dual Interface: GUI and Command Line
Whether you prefer a point-and-click experience or full control through commands, Video2X supports both. The GUI is ideal for casual users, while the command-line interface offers powerful customization for advanced workflows.
Customizable Output Options
Users can fine-tune output settings such as scale factor, resolution, and frame interpolation. This flexibility ensures better control over the final result, making the software adaptable to various project types.
Open Source and Free to Use
Released under the MIT License, Video2X is completely free and open source. This not only allows developers to contribute to its improvement but also gives users the freedom to modify the tool for their own workflows.
Batch Processing Capability
For users working with multiple videos, Video2X supports batch processing. You can upscale several files in a single session, significantly saving time and streamlining large-scale projects.
From intelligent upscaling to flexible model selection, Video2X offers a powerful toolkit for users willing to invest time in setup and experimentation.
Pros and Cons of Video2X
While Video2X is a capable upscaling tool, it has both strengths and drawbacks depending on your needs and technical comfort level.
- Delivers excellent visual improvement on anime, pixel art, and retro game footage using advanced AI models.
- Completely free to use with no hidden costs. Users can also modify the code or contribute to its development.
- Offers flexibility with different upscaling models for various content types.
- Provides pre-built binaries for Windows and Linux. Source code is available for advanced users who want full control.
- Allows you to upscale multiple video files at once, saving time on large projects.
- Not natively supported on macOS.
- Requires manual installation of dependencies like Python, FFmpeg, and model files, which can be confusing for non-technical users.
- Upscaling each frame individually is resource-intensive and time-consuming.
- The GUI is functional but lacks polish. Navigation and settings may feel unintuitive compared to more modern alternatives.
Video2X Tutorial
Using Video2X can be incredibly rewarding, but it does require some setup—especially for first-time users. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you upscale your first video using the GUI version.
Step 1: Download and Install
Head to the Video2X GitHub releases page and download the latest Windows installer or Linux AppImage. Install or extract the program depending on your chosen version.
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
Video2X requires external tools like FFmpeg and Python. Download FFmpeg from its official site, and make sure to add it to your system path. Python is usually bundled with the installer but double-check to ensure it's installed.
Step 3: Launch Video2X GUI
Run video2x-qt6.exe (Windows) or execute the AppImage (Linux). The interface allows you to easily set input/output files, choose your preferred AI model, and adjust upscaling parameters like resolution or scale factor.
Step 4: Choose an AI Model
Depending on your content, select a model like Waifu2X for anime-style footage or Real-ESRGAN for general video quality enhancement. You may need to download model files separately—links are provided within the software or documentation.
Step 5: Start the Upscaling Process
Click "Run" to begin. Video2X will extract frames from your video, upscale them using the selected AI model, and then reassemble them into a new high-resolution video. Be patient—this process can take a while depending on file size and hardware performance.
Step 6: Review the Output
Once completed, your upscaled video will be saved to the output path you selected. Review the result to ensure the quality meets your expectations.
If you're looking for a simpler, faster way to upscale videos - especially without managing dependencies - Aiarty Video Enhancer offers a great plug-and-play experience with similar AI power.
Best Video2X Alternative: Aiarty Video Enhancer
While Video2X delivers impressive results, its steep learning curve, lack of macOS support, and slow processing time can be frustrating—especially for users who want fast, high-quality upscaling without complex setup. That's where Aiarty Video Enhancer comes in.
Aiarty Video Enhancer is a powerful, user-friendly alternative that uses advanced AI models to upscale videos with clarity, sharpness, and vivid detail. Unlike Video2X, it requires no technical knowledge—just import your video, select your desired resolution (up to 8K), and let the software handle the rest. It supports a wide range of video formats and is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, making it ideal for creators on any platform.
Whether you're restoring old footage, enhancing animations, or preparing videos for social media or professional use, Aiarty offers faster rendering, GPU acceleration, and stunning results—all with just a few clicks.
Video2X vs Aiarty Video Enhancer
FAQs
Yes, Video2X is completely free and open-source. You can download, use, and even modify the software without paying anything.
Yes, Video2X is safe to use as long as you download it from the official GitHub repository. Since it is open-source software, its code is publicly available for review, minimizing the risk of malware. However, always be cautious when downloading dependencies like FFmpeg or Python from their official sources to ensure security.
The best alternative to Video2X is Aiarty Video Enhancer. It offers easy-to-use AI-powered video upscaling with native support for both Windows and macOS. Unlike Video2X, Aiarty requires no complicated setup or command-line use. It delivers fast processing speeds, supports batch upscaling, and produces high-quality results suitable for a wide range of video content.
This post was written by Brenda Peng who is a seasoned editor at Digiarty Software who loves turning ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. With AI assistance for brainstorming and drafting, the post is reviewed for accuracy by our expert Abby Poole for her expertise in this field.
