Palette.fm: AI Photo Colorization Tool (2026)
Palette.fm uses AI to instantly colorize black-and-white photos with 21+ filters. Trusted by 2.8M+ users, it delivers realistic results in under 300ms. Compare alternatives, pricing from $6/mo, and learn how to get started.
Try NemoVideo Free Open SiteWhat Is Palette.fm? A Complete Overview (2026)
Palette.fm is an AI-powered photo colorization tool that transforms black-and-white and grayscale images into vibrant, realistic color photos. Trusted by over 2.8 million users worldwide, it uses deep learning models to analyze image content and apply historically accurate and visually natural colors automatically.
The platform stands out for its speed and variety: the AI engine processes each image in just 100-300 milliseconds, and users can choose from 21+ color filters that each produce a different colorization style. Beyond automatic results, Palette.fm lets you fine-tune colors using text prompts and keyword adjustments, giving you creative control over the final output.
Palette.fm supports output up to 5000x5000 pixels on paid plans, exports to JPEG, PNG, and TIFF formats, and can process up to 1 million images per day via its API and bulk tools -- making it suitable for everything from personal photo restoration to enterprise-scale projects.
Whether you want to restore old family photos, colorize historical images for a project, or add color to artistic black-and-white photography, Palette.fm provides an accessible, no-signup-required free tier alongside professional paid plans with high-resolution, watermark-free output.
Best Palette.fm Alternatives in 2026
Looking for AI photo colorization tools beyond Palette.fm? Here are the top alternatives with different strengths, pricing, and capabilities:
Once you have colorized your old photos with Palette.fm, turn them into engaging video slideshows and stories with NemoVideo. Its AI agent handles editing, transitions, captions, and music automatically -- just describe what you want. Start free today.
An open-source deep learning project for colorizing and restoring old images and videos. DeOldify is free to use and popular among developers, though it requires more technical setup compared to Palette.fm's browser-based approach.
A dedicated AI colorization tool that offers automatic and manual colorization options. Kolorize is frequently cited as one of the closest competitors to Palette.fm for realistic color results.
Goes beyond colorization by restoring, enhancing, and animating old photos with AI. Forevi preserves facial features and geometry while adding motion and sound, making it ideal for bringing family photos to life.
An AI-powered colorization service that stands out with support for up to 8K resolution output. Trained on billions of images, it delivers high-fidelity results for users who need maximum detail in their colorized photos.
A completely free AI colorization tool developed by researchers from Singapore. It features a simple, no-frills interface that is great for quick colorization without needing to create an account or pay anything.
Palette.fm Pricing Plans (2026)
Palette.fm uses a credit-based pricing system. Each credit colorizes one image at high resolution without a watermark. Credits vary by output resolution (SD, Full-HD, or 4K). Here is a breakdown of the available plans:
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited colorizations at 500x500 px, Palette watermark, ads shown |
| Annual | $72/year ($6/mo) | 480 credits/year, watermark-free, up to 5000x5000 px, credits roll over |
| One-Time | From $49 | 75 credits, valid for 2 years, no recurring charges |
| NemoVideo | Free / Premium | AI video editing, turn colorized photos into videos, agentic workflow |
Bring your images to life in video. Explore NemoVideo's plans -- start free with AI editing and smart captions.
Does Palette.fm Have a Free Version?
Yes, Palette.fm offers a free version that anyone can use without creating an account. Simply upload a black-and-white photo and the AI will colorize it instantly using any of the 21+ available filters. However, the free tier comes with some limitations:
- Resolution cap -- Free colorizations are resized to a maximum of 500x500 pixels
- Watermark -- The Palette logo appears in the bottom right corner of every free output
- Ads -- The free experience includes advertisements on the page
Upgrading to a paid plan (starting at $6/month billed annually or a $49 one-time purchase) removes the watermark, unlocks high-resolution output up to 5000x5000 pixels, and provides a cleaner ad-free experience. For most casual users restoring a few family photos, the free version is a good starting point to test the quality before committing.
From image editing to video creation -- NemoVideo's free plan offers AI tools, smart captions, and professional exports. Try it free today.
How to Use Palette.fm for Beginners
Palette.fm is designed to be as simple as possible -- no account required, no software to install. Here is how to colorize your first photo:
Step 1: Upload Your Photo
Go to palette.fm and drag-and-drop a black-and-white or grayscale image onto the page. You can also click to browse your files. The platform accepts common image formats and processes uploads instantly.
Step 2: Browse and Select a Filter
Palette.fm instantly generates 20+ colorization filters, each applying a different color interpretation to your image. Scroll through the results to find the one that looks most natural or fits your creative vision. The AI processes each filter in just 100-300 milliseconds.
Step 3: Fine-Tune and Download
Click a filter to select it, then use the adjust icon to fine-tune colors with text descriptions and keywords (e.g., "warm sunset tones" or "1940s vintage"). When you are satisfied, download the colorized image in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format. Free users get 500x500 px with watermark; paid users get up to 5000x5000 px watermark-free.
Turn your best images into video stories. With NemoVideo's AI Agent, describe the narrative and AI creates the video.
Best AI Photo Colorization Tools in 2026
The AI photo colorization landscape in 2026 has matured significantly. Here are the standout tools worth considering for different use cases:
- Palette.fm -- Best for speed and variety with 21+ filters, 100-300ms processing, and a generous free tier. Ideal for quick colorization of individual photos or bulk projects via API.
- DeOldify -- Best open-source option for developers who want full control. Free to use but requires Python setup and technical knowledge.
- ColorizeThis.io -- Best for maximum resolution with 8K output support. A strong choice when image detail is the top priority.
- Colourise.sg -- Best completely free option with no watermarks or signups. Simple and fast, though with fewer customization options.
- Forevi -- Best for full photo restoration beyond just colorization. Also animates photos with motion and sound.
- NemoVideo -- Best for turning colorized photos into video content. AI-powered agentic editing with chat-based workflow creates professional videos automatically.
Does Palette.fm Have an API?
Yes, Palette.fm provides a full developer API through RapidAPI. The Image Colorization API offers 4 endpoints for colorizing photos programmatically, while a separate Video Colorization API provides 3 endpoints for adding color to grayscale video footage. The API supports bulk processing of up to 1 million images per day.
Beyond the REST API, developers can integrate Palette.fm through multiple channels: Python snippets for scripting, Google Colab notebooks for cloud-based processing, and Google Drive integration for batch workflows. Palette.fm also connects with automation platforms like Zapier and Make.com, and offers plugins for Figma, Sketch, GIMP, and command-line tools. Full API documentation is available at docs.palette.fm.