CodeFormer

What it is

Free open-source model that rebuilds blurry or damaged faces in photos and upscales the rest of the image. The official demo runs in the browser on Hugging Face, with a slider that trades sharper detail against staying closer to the original face.

Some setupFreeWorks on web

Visit CodeFormer ↗View on Editor's pick

Our take

Free (non-commercial)

The free pick when a face matters more than the background. If the result starts to look like someone else, push the fidelity slider toward 1 and run it again.

Also look at MyHeritage and Gemini.

The quick breakdown

Good for: One precious portrait where the face is soft or pixelated and you want a say in how much the AI invents.
Not great for: Torn or stained prints that need patching, and any business use: the license covers non-commercial use only.
Watch out: Only the Hugging Face, Replicate and OpenXLab demos are run by its authors. Sites such as codeformer.net use the model without permission, so don't pay them.
What people say: Its GitHub repo has over 18,000 stars, and the authors list more than 20 apps, sites and services that build on the model.

Based on CodeFormer on GitHub (license, official demos), CodeFormer demo on Hugging Face, CodeFormer demo source (fidelity slider). Checked Oct 18, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you pay.

Good for

Edit photos

Quick facts

Price: Free (Free (non-commercial)).
You get: images.
Last checked: Oct 18, 2026.
What it is: CodeFormer is a images & design tool. Free open-source model that rebuilds blurry or damaged faces in photos and upscales the rest of the image. The official demo runs in the browser on Hugging Face, with a slider that trades sharper detail against staying closer to the original face.
Where it was found: Added by ShipRadar editors as a well-known tool in Images & Design.
Tags: Free tier, Image, Hugging Face Space.
Traction: Editor's pick.
Official link: huggingface.co/spaces/sczhou/CodeFormer

Common questions

What is CodeFormer good for?

One precious portrait where the face is soft or pixelated and you want a say in how much the AI invents. Torn or stained prints that need patching, and any business use: the license covers non-commercial use only.

Is CodeFormer free?

Free (non-commercial). Prices change, so check the official site before you pay.

How hard is CodeFormer to use?

ShipRadar rates it Some setup: some setup or learning required.

What should I watch out for with CodeFormer?

Only the Hugging Face, Replicate and OpenXLab demos are run by its authors. Sites such as codeformer.net use the model without permission, so don't pay them.