kitio.aiReal-ESRGAN vs Tracejourney
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Real-ESRGAN is completely free, while Tracejourney is paid.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Photo upscaling models
- Anime upscaling models
- Portable executables
- Python API
- Artifact removal
- Midjourney image vectorizing
- Upscaling up to 8x
- Background removal
- Batch processing
- EPS, PDF and SVG export
| Feature | Real-ESRGAN | Tracejourney |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-source AI model for upscaling and restoring real-world images | Discord bot that vectorizes and upscales Midjourney images |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | No |
| Made by | Xintao Wang | Tracejourney |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Real-ESRGAN is completely free, while Tracejourney is paid.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Basic
$10/mo
- 500 credits per month
- Vectorize, upscale and remove background
Standard
$30/mo
- 2,500 credits per month
- Batch processing of up to 10 images
Ultimate
$60/mo
- 6,000 credits per month
- Highest monthly credit allowance
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Real-ESRGAN
- Free and widely used
- Runs on most GPUs
- Good on compressed images
- Command-line for most uses
- Can look over-smooth
- Not actively developed
Tracejourney
- Works inside Discord next to Midjourney
- Vector export for logos and print
- Handles up to 10 images at once
- Cutouts and upscaling in one tool
- No free plan listed
- Needs Discord to use
- Monthly credits cap usage
Which one should you choose?
Choose Real-ESRGAN if you want:
- Free and widely used
- Runs on most GPUs
- Good on compressed images
Watch out: command-line for most uses.
Choose Tracejourney if you want:
- Works inside Discord next to Midjourney
- Vector export for logos and print
- Handles up to 10 images at once
Watch out: no free plan listed.
Real-ESRGAN vs Tracejourney FAQ
What is the difference between Real-ESRGAN and Tracejourney?
Real-ESRGAN: Open-source AI model for upscaling and restoring real-world images. Tracejourney: Discord bot that vectorizes and upscales Midjourney images. Both are image tools.
Is Real-ESRGAN or Tracejourney cheaper?
Real-ESRGAN is completely free, while Tracejourney is paid.
Do Real-ESRGAN and Tracejourney have free plans?
Real-ESRGAN: Yes, fully free. Tracejourney: No.
Who makes Real-ESRGAN?
Real-ESRGAN is made by Xintao Wang.
Who makes Tracejourney?
Tracejourney is made by Tracejourney.
Which should I choose, Real-ESRGAN or Tracejourney?
Choose Real-ESRGAN if you value free and widely used and runs on most gpus. Choose Tracejourney if you value works inside discord next to midjourney and vector export for logos and print.