Media.io AI Photo Restorer vs Memento AI

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.

Memento AI restores old photos by repairing scratches, sharpening blurry faces, and refreshing faded color. It can also make a color version of a black-and-white image. Each restoration is separate from the original, and users can compare the result with the source before saving. The app accesses the selected photo through the system photo picker or camera and sends that image to an AI restoration service; it says unrelated library photos are not uploaded. AI estimates details and color from the image, so it cannot verify information missing from the original. Pro restoration History remains in the app’s private local container and is not synced to an account or cloud history service. Memento is available on iOS and macOS. The listing requires iOS 18.0 or later and iPadOS 18.0 or later for iPad. Mac requires macOS 15.0 or later and an Apple M1 chip or later, and the app is not verified for macOS. The free Standard plan saves restorations without a watermark. Memento Pro Annual adds HD export and private on-device History for $36.99 a year, billed through Apple.