If you have ever opened an old family album and wished you could see those black and white photos in real color, you are not alone. I have done the same—more times than I can count. Some of those pictures carry stories you have only heard about, and some show faces you never even met.
For a long time, bringing those photos to life meant using complicated photo-editing software, such as Photoshop, to colorize images or paying a professional to manually paint colors into each image. I have tried both, and honestly, neither is fun if you just want quick, natural-looking results.
That is where AI photo colorization tools step in. These tools promise to add realistic colors to old photos in a few clicks. But after testing many of them, I learned an important truth: not all AI colorizers are created equal. Some do a surprisingly good job with skin tones, clothes, and backgrounds, while others turn your precious memories into something that looks oddly artificial.
In this blog, I share the tools that actually worked in real-world testing, which ones offer useful free plans, and when paying makes sense. By the end, you will know exactly which AI color photo maker fits your needs and your photos.
What is a black-and-white to color photo maker?
A black-and-white to color photo maker is an online tool that adds natural-looking colors to old monochrome photos using AI. You upload a photo, click a button, and the tool tries to guess what the real colors might have looked like.
It feels a little like magic the first time you use it, but after testing a lot of these tools, I can tell you it is more “Smart pattern matching” than magic. These tools are trained on millions of real color photos.
That training helps them understand what human skin usually looks like in different lighting, what color the sky tends to be, how grass, clothes, hair, and walls usually appear, and how all of that changes based on shadows and brightness.
When you upload your photo, the AI scans it to find faces, clothes, buildings, and background elements. Then it assigns colors that statistically make the most sense for each part of the image.
How does AI colorize black and white photos work?
Briefly, the tool breaks your photo into small sections, predicts the most likely colors for each one, and blends everything together smoothly so the image does not look patched or fake. Good tools also sharpen faded areas while adding color, which is why your final photo often looks clearer than the original.
Best AI tools to colorize black and white photos
I actually tested 12 different AI tools on real black and white photos- the kind you find in old family albums. I wanted to see how they behave when the photo is a little faded, slightly blurry, or just plain old. The good part is that every tool on this list offers a free trial, so you can try before you pay.
And they are all genuinely one-click tools: you upload your photo, click a button, and wait a few seconds. Some clearly do a better job with faces, while others struggle with backgrounds, but none of them require editing skills or complicated setup. Try them yourself and find the best fit.
1. Pixelbin
Pixelbin’s AI Photo Colorizer turns black-and-white images into believable color photos in seconds. You upload a JPG/JPEG/PNG (or paste an image URL), and the tool detects key regions—faces, hair, clothing, sky, and backgrounds—then assigns natural hues based on learned photo patterns.
Because it also cleans up artifacts, the colorized result often looks clearer and less “Old-scan” than the original. I like it for quick family photo restores: it’s genuinely one-click, runs in your browser, and is easy to test with free starter credits before you pay for higher-resolution exports. For bigger jobs, you can combine it with Pixelbin’s editor or API.
Key features
- One-click AI colorization for faded black-and-white photos
- Upload JPG/JPEG/PNG or paste an image URL
- High-resolution output (great for sharing or saving restores)
- Improves overall clarity for a cleaner, blemish-free look
- Free starter credits for new users to try before upgrading
- Works in the browser (no installs), plus API support for automated workflows
2. Cutout.pro
Cutout.pro’s AI Photo Colorizer takes a black-and-white (or faded) photo, analyzes what’s in it (faces, skin, clothing, sky, objects), and then predicts natural-looking colors using deep-learning colorization.
In practice, it’s a quick “Upload → auto-colorize → download” workflow—useful for restoring old family portraits, historical photos, and scanned prints without manually painting colors or applying random filters. It also fits nicely into a broader restoration flow (colorize + enhance/upscale) when you want a cleaner final output.
Key features
- Automatic B&W colorization with an AI-based colorization model (no manual coloring needed).
- Designed for old photo restoration use cases (family photos, ancestors, historical figures, etc.).
- Works in the browser: upload an image and let the tool process it online. Cutout.pro
- API available for developers/workflows (send an image file/URL and receive results programmatically).
- A free trial version is given to the users
3. Palette FM
Palette.fm is an AI photo colorizer that brings black-and-white images back to life by predicting realistic colors for things like skin tones, clothing, skies, and backgrounds.
You upload your photo, Palette generates a color version in a few seconds, and then you can refine the result by choosing a style/filter or tweaking the keywords/prompt that guides the color look handy when you want “More natural skin,” “Warmer lighting,” or a specific vintage feel. Under the hood, it uses a deep-learning approach that classifies what’s in the image to make smarter color guesses instead of slapping on a generic tint.
Key features
- One-click online colorization (upload → colorize → download).
- Multiple color filters/styles so you can pick the look you like (not just one default result).
- Free previews available (good for quick testing before spending credits).
- Full-resolution, watermark-free downloads via credits (Palette positions HD output as a credit-based upgrade).
- Bulk colorization options (apply it to Google Drive/Dropbox files for large sets).
4. DeepAI
DeepAI’s Image Colorizer helps you turn a black-and-white photo into a color photo using AI. You simply upload the image (or paste an image URL), click Generate, and the tool automatically adds believable colors to common areas like skin, hair, clothes, and backgrounds.
It is especially useful for old family photos and historic pictures because you do not need to paint colors by hand or learn editing software. DeepAI also offers the same colorizing feature through an API, so developers can colorize images inside an app or automate it for many images.
Key features
- One-click online colorization (upload or URL → Generate).
- Made for old photos (family and historic images).
- API access for automation (use colorization in your product/workflow).
- Works alongside other DeepAI image tools (like enhance/upscale) if you want a cleaner final result after colorizing.
- Pricing plans are available if you need more usage beyond basic access
5. Krea.ai
Krea.ai is an AI photo editing platform that lets you easily add color to black and white photos. You have to upload your old or faded image, and the AI studies faces, clothes, sky, and objects in the photo. It then adds natural-looking and bright colors in just a few seconds.
You do not need any editing skills or software. Krea.ai is useful for restoring old family photos, creating creative edits, or making vintage pictures look new again. You can also choose different color styles to control the mood of the final image, like warm, soft, or cool looks.
Key features
- One-click AI colorization tool
- Multiple color styles and looks
- Fast online processing
- Works on mobile and desktop
- Supports common image formats
- No editing skills required
- Part of a full AI image editing suite
6. Phot.ai
It is an AI tool that can quickly change old black-and-white or faded photos into colorful, lively ones. The AI looks at the different parts of the picture, like the faces, clothes, and backgrounds, and guesses what colors would look good with those parts.
You upload your image, choose your settings, and let the AI color it automatically; no editing skills are needed. Phot.AI also gives you options to compare the before and after, choose higher quality output, and enhance the overall look of your photos. Though I was not very satisfied with the output it generated.
Key features
- An AI Image Colorizer that adds realistic colors to black-and-white photos automatically.
- Ultra HD quality option for sharper and clearer color results.
- Side-by-side preview to compare original and colorized images.
- One-click workflow - upload, colorize, download.
- Restores faded details while coloring to improve clarity and vibrance.
- User-friendly interface that works for beginners and experts alike.
7. ImageColorizer
ImageColorizer is an AI photo restoration tool that can colorize black-and-white photos in a few clicks. You upload your old photo, and the AI analyzes the picture (faces, clothes, background, lighting) and then adds realistic colors automatically.
It is built for old family photos and historical images, so it does not just “Add a filter”; it tries to apply natural-looking color tones based on patterns it learned from a large training set. ImageColorizer also includes extra restoration tools, so you can colorize first and then enhance, sharpen, retouch faces, or upscale the same image to make it clearer.
Key features
- AI colorize (B&W → color) with automatic, natural-looking color results
- Old photo restoration toolkit (restore + colorize + improve clarity in one place)
- AI can enhance blurred or low-detail old photos
- Face retouch options for old portraits (quick cleanup and smoothing)
- Upscale/HD enlargement to make small scans look clearer
- Batch workflow is promoted on the platform for handling multiple photos
8. Imglarger
Imglarger is an online AI tool that you can use to colorize black and white photos. You have to upload your old photo, and the AI looks at faces, clothes, and background details in the image. It then adds natural-looking colors automatically.
You do not need any editing skills or software. This makes Imglargear a useful tool for making old family photos, scanned pictures, and vintage images look fresh and clear again. Below, you can see the output it generated for the image I tested.
Key features
- One-click AI colorization for black and white photos
- Works with common image formats like JPG, PNG, and WebP
- Has a face enhancement option for better portrait results
- Allows bulk photo colorization on paid plans
- Automatically deletes uploaded photos for privacy
- Also offers tools for upscaling, enhancing, and background removal
9. Img2go
I tried Img2Go’s AI colorizer on a few old black-and-white photos, and it feels like one of those tools that quietly does its job and then surprises you with the result.
You upload your photo, click one button, and Img2Go’s AI studies the shapes, light, and objects in the image. In a few seconds, your flat black-and-white picture turns into something that actually feels alive. What I liked most is that Img2Go doesn’t stop at colorizing. If your photo is small, blurry, or poorly scanned, you can also enhance, resize, convert formats, or clean it up using the same platform.
Key features
- Powered by deep learning algorithms for realistic color prediction.
- Free trials available and browser-based (no software download).
- Optional settings like choosing AI model types (e.g., Nature & People or Generic) for better results.
- Other AI tools available on the same platform (upscale, background remove, blur faces).
- Supports uploading from device, URL, or cloud and then downloading the colorized photo.
10. Colorize.cc
I have tested quite a few photo colorizers, and Colorize.cc is one of those tools that quietly does its job well. You upload a black and white photo, and the AI studies faces, clothes, sky, and background to add natural-looking colors in a few seconds.
You do not need any editing skills, which I really like. The results are not perfect every time, but for old family photos and scanned memories, they usually look surprisingly real. What makes Colorize.cc more useful is that you can also fix scratches, reduce blur, and improve clarity in the same place.
Key features
- Deep learning technology that predicts appropriate colors based on image content.
- Photo restoration tools - remove cracks, noise, and restore old photos.
- Face restoration for clearer, more detailed portraits.
- Batch processing support for multiple photos in one go.
- No subscription required - you buy processing credits that don’t expire.
11. YouCam online editor
I tested the YouCam Online Editor while trying different photo colorizers, and it is one of the easiest ones to use. You upload your black and white photo, click the colorize option, and the AI adds natural-looking colors to faces, clothes, and backgrounds in a few seconds.
You do not need any editing or designing skills. The results are not always perfect, but for old family photos and scanned pictures, they usually look quite real. What I like is that you can also retouch, enhance, and clean up the photo in the same editor, making it a handy all-in-one tool.
Key features
- AI Photo enhancer to improve clarity and overall image quality.
- AI Background remover to cut out a subject automatically and download clean cutouts.
- Background change + customization (remove background, then replace it with a new one).
- AI Blur Background for portrait-style depth effect.
- AI Replace (swap or replace parts of an image using AI).
- Portrait tools like face retouch/reshape, face swap, hairstyle/clothes change, and makeup try-on/transfer (web editor feature set).
12. Kolorize
Kolorizing old photos used to be a painstaking manual chore, but Kolorize turns it into a three-second win. I’ve tested plenty of AI tools, and what I like about Kolorize is its "Satisfaction-first" approach. You upload your file, and the AI uses deep learning to predict hues based on millions of real-world patterns- think grassy greens and natural skin tones.
The best part? You can preview multiple variations before spending a single credit. It’s perfect for casual family history projects, though keep in mind it caps resolution at 4096px. It’s honest, fast, and remarkably good at reviving the past.
Key features
- Smart AI prediction uses deep learning to recognize objects and apply realistic, life-like colors automatically.
- Risk-free previews lets you see the colorized results for free before you decide to use a credit.
- Video colorization goes beyond static images to colorize film clips.
- No subscription required, offers a flexible credit-based system so you only pay for what you actually use.
How to get the best results from AI photo colorizers?
AI colorization tools are powerful, but they are not miracle workers. The quality of your final photo depends a lot on what you upload and how you prepare it. After testing dozens of photos across different tools, I noticed a few patterns that can make a big difference.
1. Choose the right original photo
Always start with the clearest version of your photo. If you have both a scanned copy and a WhatsApp-forwarded version, use the scan. Compression kills fine details, and once those details are gone, even the smartest AI cannot bring them back. Clear faces, visible clothing folds, and well-defined backgrounds give the tool more “Clues” to work with.
2. Fix blur and noise first
If your photo looks blurry, dusty, or grainy, clean it before you colorize it. Simple sharpening or dust-removal tools can dramatically improve the result. I have seen the same photo look average in one try and surprisingly good in the next, just because the blur was fixed first.
3. Use different approaches for portraits and landscapes
For portraits, make sure faces are well-lit and not cropped too tightly. AI tools use facial features to pick the right skin colors. For landscape photos, make sure the sky, trees, and buildings are easy to see. If you treat people and landscapes differently, the colors in your photos will look much more natural and realistic.
Conclusion
Turning black and white photos into color used to feel like a specialist job. Now, it is something you can do in a coffee break. The real trick is picking a tool that gives natural colors, keeps your image quality intact, and does not hide all the useful features behind a paywall.
None of these tools is perfect, and some will guess a little wrong now and then. But the good ones can still deliver surprisingly beautiful results with almost no effort from you. With the comparisons and tips in this guide, you are now well-equipped to choose the right color photo maker and finally give your old memories the color they deserve.
FAQs
Most modern AI tools are very good at understanding faces, skin tones, clothes, and background objects. They study millions of real photos to predict natural colors. Tools like Pixelbin focus on realistic skin tones and fabric colors, so the results usually look natural rather than artificial.
No. A good AI colorization tool does not reduce your photo quality. They keep the original resolution and also improve clarity and sharpness, so your final photo often looks cleaner than the original.
Yes, if you use a trusted platform. Tools like Pixelbin use secure uploads and private processing, which means your photos are not publicly shared or misused. This makes it safe for personal and family memories.
Yes. Many AI tools offer free plans for basic colorization. Pixelbin lets you try colorizing photos for free, while its paid plans unlock HD downloads, faster processing, and watermark-free images.
AI tools work best on clear old photos. If your photo has heavy blur, scratches, or fading, you may need to clean it first. Once restored, Pixelbin can add color more accurately.
Yes. The tools mentioned in the blog are web-based and work smoothly on phones, tablets, and laptops. You can colorize your photos anytime without installing any software.
