Coloroid AI vs Media.io AI Photo Restorer

Coloroid AI is a photo restoration app for damaged, blurry, faded, or black-and-white images. Recreate applies full restoration, Colorize adds color, and Descratch removes damage while leaving the rest of the image alone. The app detects cracks, creases, missing corners, and water stains, sharpens soft focus, and restores washed-out contrast. Its colorization gives portraits skin, clothing, and scenery colors suited to the era. Start with a library photo or photograph a print with a phone; a flatbed scan is optional. Images can also arrive through the share sheet. Compare before and after, then save, print, or share the result. The restored image is saved as a new photo, leaving the original unchanged. Coloroid AI runs on iOS and macOS, requiring iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS 14 with an Apple M1 chip or later. It offers a free plan; Pro is $49.99, paid once.

Media.io AI Photo Restorer is a browser-based service that uses AI to detect and repair damage in old photographs. It can address scratches, stains, cracks, tears, dust, and fading, and a colorizer can add color to black-and-white pictures. The page also lists an image brightener, resolution improver, face retoucher, and color matcher. Uploads include JPG, PNG, WEMB, and BMP, among other formats. Media.io says most restorations take under 10 seconds, with timing depending on the damage. The service is presented for family portraits, historic snapshots, prints, memories, and historical records. It runs in a browser without a third-party software download; Media.io says its browser service works on browsers running on Mac and Linux. Uploaded files and generated content are deleted from its servers within 7 days, without a backup, and users retain ownership and copyright of source and converted files. Google Drive integration is available, as are optional YouTube API account connections through Google OAuth. Media.io offers a 3-day trial; no paid plan prices are listed.