Image generation
CodeFormer
Sharpen blurry faces in old photos while keeping the likeness
★ 2.4k
May 2026
Not stated
Image generation
What we checked ourselves
Not copied from the project's own blurb. These are things we opened and verified, with the date.
- 3 Sept 2026We opened the hosted demo and confirmed it was running.
Where this sits among the 209 tools we list in Image generation
- Works without using a terminal179 of 209
- No API key required195 of 209
- Sends your input to the provider32 that do not →
Only 174 of the 209 meet all of the conditions above.
Counted from our own checks: every tool we list is examined against the same criteria.
What it does
Restores detail in faces from old or low-quality photographs using CodeFormer, with a slider controlling how much of the original likeness to preserve - which matters, because pushing the restoration too hard produces a face that is sharp but no longer the same person. Useful for family photos you want to print. Uploads go to the host's servers, so avoid images of other people without their consent, and keep the fidelity setting high when accuracy matters.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultySome setup needed
- Command lineNot required
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineYes
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
CodeFormer FAQ
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use CodeFormer?
- No install needed — it runs in the browser.
- Does CodeFormer work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use CodeFormer commercially?
- We could not confirm this. The publisher does not state it clearly, so we have not verified whether what you make with it may be used commercially. Ask the publisher before relying on it.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CodeFormer (this page) | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Not verified |
| Omni-Image-Editor | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Tile-Upscaler | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Not verified |
| InstantIR | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.