8 Best Photo Restoration Services [Tested and Reviewed]

Introduction

Old photos capture priceless memories, but over time, they can fade, develop scratches, or suffer physical damage. Fortunately, AI technology has advanced enough to restore old photos. Whether you’re working on family heirlooms, historical archives, or vintage collections, photo restoration tools can detect and correct imperfections in old or damaged photos, while also enhancing their details and filling in missing parts. But how? In this post, you will learn about the 10 best offline and online old photo restoration tools available in the market!

Part 1. How to Restore Old Photos on Desktop [4 Ways]

No doubt, desktop software offer powerful features to restore old photo with more control and higher quality results. Let’s explore the top four offline solutions:

1. HitPaw FotorPea

HitPaw FotorPea stands out as the premier choice among old photo restoration software for its remarkable image enhancing capabilities, bringing back natural tones in the same way that experts do.

This AI-powered software provides various enhancement models, including Denoise, Sharpen, and Scratch Repair, to detect and erase damage in old and damaged photographs. You can also colorize monochrome images and recover facial details. With a user-friendly interface, even beginners can transform old photos into sharp, high-quality visuals. It also allows you to restore multiple pictures at once. You can even preview the results before exporting.

Main Features:

Work well on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, and online
Offer nine outstanding AI models to restore old photos
Repair photos in 30+ formats, i.e., JPG, BMP, WEBP, and more
Help restore faded or low-quality pictures without hassle
Enable you to remove the mosaic from the pictures quickly
Allow adjusting image sharpness, contrast, and colour balance

How to Restore Old Photos using HitPaw FotorPea:

Step 1. Upload Photo

The first step is to download the software from its official website and complete the installation. Now, launch it and click “Enhance Photos Now.” Tap “Choose File” or drag and drop to import the original video.

Step 2. Select the Preferred Model

Next, you can find various enhancement models. You can select any required one, such as “Face model.” Choose any of its modes and press “Preview” to review it.

Step 3. Export Output

Lastly, click settings to select the output parameters, and then hit “Export” to save the results. That’s it!

2. Adobe Photoshop CC

Adobe Photoshop is a well-known software for professional image editing, featuring a variety of tools and filters for advanced old photo restoration. You can remove scratches or blemishes, adjust colors or contrast, and repair damaged parts of any picture. Its Content-Aware Fill can automatically fill in missing areas based on surrounding areas.

Pros:

High-quality output
Layer support for non-destructive editing
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud

Cons:

Steep learning curve
An expensive monthly subscription

3. PhotoWorks

PhotoWorks is a beginner-friendly, excellent photo editor with several built-in restoration tools powered by AI. You can restore old photos by eliminating flaws, colorizing, and repairing scratches. It offers creative effects and filters for artistic transformations as well as one-click enhancement options for quick improvements.

Pros:

User-friendly controls with various editing options
Automatic scratch removal and color correction
Affordable and quick processing

Cons:

Lack of some advanced manual features
May experience delays in loading some tools

4. GIMP

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source photo editor that can serve as an old photo restorer. Offering features similar to those in Adobe Photoshop, like layers, masks, and filters, you can use it for basic to advanced restoration. It even features a customizable interface with various plugins.

Pros:

Powerful editing functionalities
Support for multiple image formats
Open-source community for support & resources

Cons:

The interface isn’t beginner-friendly
Slower workflow than other programs

Part 2. Four Online Tools to Restore Your Old Photos

If you prefer working on your browser, no worries. Below are the four online old photo restorer options to consider:

1. HitPaw Online Photo Enhancer

HitPaw Online Photo Enhancer is a powerful tool for restoring old photos online. It uses AI technology to repair damaged photos, restoring them to their former brilliance. It offers various enhancement models to automatically detect and fix issues such as scratches, blurriness, noise, and color dullness, while enhancing details and colors.:

Pros:

Enlarge images without losing quality
Remove noise from your photos with ease
Offer advanced export options

Cons:

Require a strong internet connection
Limited editing compared to the desktop version

2. Image Colorizer

Image Colorizer is a dedicated online tool for restoring and colorizing old black-and-white photographs. Its artificial intelligence colorization technology makes photos appear more vibrant than they are in real life. You can also change the color intensity and style to achieve accurate and realistic results. It even supports batch processing for saving time.

Pros:

User-friendly interface
Customizable restoration options
Free for commercial use

Cons:

Less effective for damaged photos
It may require manual adjustment

3. PhotoBooth

PhotoBooth is an all-in-one photo editing suite that can help you restore old photos. It can scan the uploaded image pixel by pixel to completely fix any damage. What makes it unique is the AI reverse-restore technology, which provides a digital high-resolution copy. You can also enjoy safe processing and instant results.

Pros:

Completely free to use
Restore photos in one click
Auto-sharpening and color correction

Cons:

Leave some damage behind
No manual editing controls

4. Fotor

Fotor is a simple yet powerful online image editor for restoring damaged, low-quality, and faded photos. It offers all the tools to enhance the quality of your old photographs, including editing tools, filters, and effects. You can automatically improve the contrast, exposure, and image clarity, thus giving them a professional look.

Pros:

One-tap restoration
Noise reduction feature
Impressive color correction

Cons:

Unable to fix heavily damaged photos
Limited functionalities in the free plan

Part 3. How to Choose the Right Old Photo Restorer?

With numerous old photo restoration tools available, selecting the right one depends on your needs. Here are the key factors to ponder:

Ease of Use: Look for a tool with a clean, intuitive interface, especially if you’re a beginner. The repair process is quick if the user interface is well-designed with simple navigation.
AI Capabilities: Modern AI technology can automatically detect and correct issues such as scratches, fading, and blurring. Choose tools with proven AI enhancement features for the best restoration experience.
Supported Formats: Ensure the tool supports multiple output formats, i.e., JPEG, PNG, WEBP, and TIFF. This is important if you plan to archive, share online, or print them in high resolution.
Batch Processing: Batch processing is a time-saving feature that enables you to enhance multiple images simultaneously, ideal for archival projects or scanning entire photo albums.
Output Quality: Ultimately, the quality of the restored photo matters most. Choose a tool that enhances fine details without over-smoothing or losing texture. High-resolution export options are crucial for maintaining clarity.

By considering these points, you can determine which old photo restorer best suits your workflow.

Part 4. FAQs about Old Photo Restoration

1. Can old damaged photos be restored?

Yes, even damaged photos with significant wear and tear can be repaired to a surprising degree. The restoration tools can help remove scratches, correct faded colors, and recover facial details.

2. What is the best way to restore old photos?

The best way to restore photos is to use professional desktop software with AI capabilities, like HitPaw FotorPea. It can easily and quickly repair your damaged photos, delivering high-quality output.

3. Can I restore old photos online?

Yes. Online AI-powered tools, such as HitPaw Online Photo Enhancer, enable you to upload and restore old photo directly from your browser without the need for installation.

Conclusion

No doubt, old photos are treasures from the past, and now, with the right tools, you can bring them back to life. Whether you want an AI-powered quick fix or professional-level editing, this guide has a solution for everyone.

However, if you want a perfect balance of ease, broad format support, and high-quality results, HitPaw FotorPea is highly recommended. Try it out and restore your precious memories today!