Free alternatives
Free alternatives to Krea
The best free, open-source alternatives to Krea are ComfyUI and Upscayl. ComfyUI and Upscayl run entirely on your own computer, with no subscription.
Krea is a paid service. A fast creative tool for real-time image generation, upscaling, and video. If you'd like to do the same kind of work without a subscription, these are the open-source tools to try first. Checked November 2026.
| Tool | What it does | Runs | Real cost | Score |
|---|
| ComfyUI | Build image and video generation workflows by connecting blocks, with full control over every step. | On your computer | Free | 4.8 |
|---|
| Upscayl | A simple desktop app that enlarges and sharpens low-resolution images. | On your computer | Free | 4.5 |
|---|
The top picks
Build image and video generation workflows by connecting blocks, with full control over every step.
- Some setup
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, GPL-3.0
- Models
- Open weights, your choice
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
A simple desktop app that enlarges and sharpens low-resolution images.
- Easy install
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, AGPL-3.0
- Models
- Open weights, included
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
More free tools worth a look
The classic browser interface for generating images with Stable Diffusion on your own computer.
- Some setup
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, AGPL-3.0
- Models
- Open weights, your choice
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
A polished creative studio for image generation, with a canvas, layers, and tools aimed at artists.
- Easy install
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, Apache-2.0
- Models
- Open weights, your choice
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
Removes the background from photos in one step, from the command line or your own scripts.
- Some setup
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, MIT
- Models
- Open weights, included
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
Image generation with almost no settings: type a prompt and get a good picture.
- Easy install
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, GPL-3.0
- Models
- Open weights
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
Adds AI generation, inpainting, and live painting to Krita, the free painting app.
- Some setup
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, GPL-3.0
- Models
- Open weights
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
The restoration model behind many upscaling apps, for photos, artwork, and old video frames.
- For tinkerers
- Windows · Mac · Linux
- Code
- Open source, BSD-3-Clause
- Models
- Open weights
- Runs
- On your computer
- Real cost
- Free
Common questions
Is there a free version of Krea?
Krea's own free plan: yes, limited. For unlimited free use, the open-source alternatives are ComfyUI and Upscayl.
Are the free alternatives to Krea as good?
It depends on the job. Krea is best for real-time generation and upscaling, and paid services are usually easier to start with. Open-source tools cost nothing and give you more control, but most need some setup and a capable computer.
What do I need to run them?
Each tool's page lists the memory and graphics card it needs. Enter your computer's specs once on our Can I Run It page and every tool shows whether it fits.
Want the paid service anyway? See our Krea page for price and free-plan details.
Stable Diffusion web UI
Krita AI Diffusion
Real-ESRGAN
