Topaz Image Upscale Pricing & Cost
Topaz Image Upscale is the gold standard for AI image upscaling. Pair a source image with a target factor (2x, 4x, 8x) and get a sharper higher-resolution output. Best for taking AI-generated 1K images up to 4K for print or high-DPI displays.
This page breaks down the credit cost for Topaz Image Upscale when called via the AetherWave MCP server from Claude Code, Cursor, Continue, or any MCP-aware agent. Credits map to USD at a fixed rate, so the cost is predictable.
Full cost breakdown
Tiered pricing by output resolution. 10 credits for 2K output, 20 for 4K, 40 for 8K. Supports 1x/2x/4x/8x factors based on source size.
Cost scenarios in USD
Here is what common workflows cost in USD at Topaz Image Upscale's rate:
| Workflow | Credits | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 use | 5 cr | $0.03 |
| 10 uses | 50 cr | $0.25 |
| 100 uses | 500 cr | $2.50 |
| Studio sub fits | 340 uses/mo (1,700 cr) | - |
How Topaz Image Upscale compares
vs recraft-upscale at 8 cr at 2x: Topaz is the higher-fidelity choice with more factor options (up to 8x). Recraft is cheaper at 2x/4x. Pick Topaz for best quality; Recraft for budget upscaling.
10 cr to 2K, 20 cr to 4K, 40 cr to 8K
Best for: high-fidelity image upscaling
recraft-upscale at 8 cr at 2x
See the comparison above for when each one wins.
Run aetherwave_list_image_models from Claude Code to see the full live pricing across all models in one call. The MCP rubrics in each tool's description also route the agent automatically when a budget hint is in the prompt.
Where credits come from
You can fund your AetherWave account three ways:
- Free: Starter credits on signup plus up to 80 credits from one-time community quests (Discord, social shares, follow channels)
- Studio subscription: $9.99/mo for 1,700 credits monthly. Cancel any time.
- One-time bundles: starting at $4.99 for 500 credits, up to $79.99 for 9,000 credits. Bundle credits never expire.
Quick install
To run Topaz Image Upscale from Claude Code, install the AetherWave MCP server with one command:
Get your free API key at your Profile page (Developer tab). The MCP exposes 31 tools total; aetherwave_upscale_image is the one that gives the agent access to Topaz Image Upscale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Topaz Image Upscale cost per generation?
Tiered pricing by output resolution. 10 credits for 2K output, 20 for 4K, 40 for 8K. Supports 1x/2x/4x/8x factors based on source size.
How do AetherWave credits convert to USD?
Credits map to USD at a fixed rate, so Topaz Image Upscale's 10 cr to 2K, 20 cr to 4K, 40 cr to 8K translates to the per-generation figures in the scenario table above. Credits come from a Studio subscription, one-time bundles, or starter credits + community quests on the free tier.
Is Topaz Image Upscale worth the cost vs cheaper alternatives?
vs recraft-upscale at 8 cr at 2x: Topaz is the higher-fidelity choice with more factor options (up to 8x). Recraft is cheaper at 2x/4x. Pick Topaz for best quality; Recraft for budget upscaling. The right call depends on what matters most for your workflow: variation count, deterministic output, latency, or absolute quality ceiling.
Start running Topaz Image Upscale
Free API key plus starter credits. One MCP install. First Topaz Image Upscale generation in under five minutes.
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