Coloroid AI vs SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher

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.

SoftOrbits Photo Retoucher uses AI tools to restore old and damaged photos, addressing imperfections, noise, and blur while colorizing black-and-white images. It can detect scratches, dust, and print damage; the maker says the process preserves film grain. A face-restoration model is intended for blurry, scratched, or low-resolution pictures, and the product page says images can be enlarged up to 800%. Generative AI removes unwanted objects and restores backgrounds, while brushes and cleanup layers support localized manual corrections. Batch processing can handle multiple pictures or a whole folder. Desktop restoration runs locally without an internet connection, and the maker says photos are not uploaded to a server. The browser tool supports PNG, JPEG, JPG, WebP, and HEIC. Severe damage or missing areas may need manual touch-ups; the maker says it has tested images up to 25 megapixels. The software does not control a scanner, but scanned photos can be opened for restoration. A free trial is available, and the online tool can restore a photo or two at no cost. The product is paid, with no free plan.