- Topaz Video AI is the legacy perpetual-license app discontinued in September 2025; version 7.1.5 is final and will not receive new models.
- Topaz Video is the new subscription-only app with ongoing development, newer AI models, and modern hardware support.
- Topaz Video AI supports Intel Macs and allows two simultaneous installs; Topaz Video drops Intel Mac support and limits use to one computer at a time.
- Newer models such as Hyperion 2, Starlight Precise 2.5, Gaia 2, and Proteus Natural are only available in Topaz Video.
- Keep Video AI if you own a perpetual license and it already meets your needs; subscribe to Topaz Video if you want the newest restoration models and future-proof hardware support.
Topaz Labs renamed, repositioned, and re-licensed its flagship video enhancement app, leaving many owners of the old software confused about what they actually own. If you bought Topaz Video AI under a perpetual license, you can still use it, but the product is frozen. The new Topaz Video app adds powerful models and faster workflows, yet it requires a subscription and drops support for some older machines. Understanding the split is essential before spending money on either path.
Product Status & Licensing
According to Topaz Labs' official documentation, Topaz Video AI is now a discontinued legacy app. Version 7.1.5 is the final release, and no new models or updates will ship. Users who purchased a perpetual license still own that specific version and can download it from the Legacy section of their account. The license supports two computers simultaneously and allows up to six months of offline use before re-authentication.
Topaz Video is the replacement. It is subscription-only, requires monthly authentication, and can be used on one computer at a time. If the subscription lapses, access stops until it is renewed. This is the most important difference for buyers who dislike recurring payments: the legacy app is a one-time purchase that keeps working, while the new app is a continuous subscription.
| Attribute | Topaz Video AI | Topaz Video |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued, legacy | Active, ongoing updates |
| Pricing | Perpetual license owned | Subscription only |
| Final/latest version | 7.1.5 | Current release |
| Simultaneous installs | 2 computers | 1 computer |
| Offline use | Up to 6 months | Up to 1 month |
| Intel Mac support | Yes, with 4 GB VRAM | No |
| New models | No | Yes |
Feature & Model Comparison
Topaz Video includes every AI model from Video AI plus additional newer models. Topaz Labs lists Hyperion 2, Starlight Precise 2.5, Starlight HQ, Starlight Fast 2, Gaia 2, Starlight Sharp, Denoise, Nyx XL, and Proteus Natural as additions exclusive to the new app. For restoration work, these newer models matter. Starlight and Hyperion are designed for cleaner upscaling and noise reduction, while Gaia and Proteus target natural detail recovery.
Topaz Video AI remains useful for the models it already contains. A user who only needs basic upscaling, stabilization, or frame interpolation may not gain much from the subscription. But anyone working with heavily compressed, interlaced, or archival footage will likely benefit from the newer restoration engines. MyImageUpscaler's 2026 guide emphasizes that the right question is no longer "does Topaz upscale?" but whether the specific model, rendering path, and license tier match the footage and delivery workflow.
System Requirements
Hardware compatibility is a practical dealbreaker. Topaz Video AI supports Intel-based Macs with at least 4 GB of VRAM, which makes it the only option for users on older Apple hardware. Topaz Video drops Intel Mac support entirely and is optimized for newer systems. Topaz Labs also states that Video AI will not be optimized for future operating systems or new hardware, while Topaz Video will continue to receive those updates.
On Windows, both apps demand a strong GPU. NVIDIA cards are generally preferred because Topaz relies heavily on CUDA for local AI rendering. Some Starlight processing in Topaz Video requires cloud rendering on Personal licenses, while Pro licenses unlock local rendering on supported Nvidia, Apple Silicon, and even AMD GPUs for certain Starlight variants. Users should verify their exact GPU and license tier before buying.
Performance & Rendering
Rendering speed depends on the model, resolution, and hardware. Topaz claims that a one-second HD clip can be upscaled 200 percent to 4K in seconds on supported hardware, excluding initial model download time. In practice, long-form projects with multiple enhancement passes can still take hours. Topaz Video's newer models are more computationally demanding than their Video AI predecessors, so the same machine may render slower even if the output is better.
Cloud rendering is another variable. Topaz Video pushes more processing to the cloud on lower license tiers, which reduces local hardware requirements but introduces upload time, privacy considerations, and credit costs. Users handling confidential client footage should evaluate whether local rendering is available at their license tier.
Beyond raw speed, workflow integration matters. Topaz Video AI and Topaz Video can both export enhanced clips for further editing in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro. Topaz Video's newer plugin architecture and ongoing development mean it is more likely to receive host-application updates and codec support over time. Video AI will continue to work with the hosts and codecs it already supports, but new camera formats or delivery standards may not be added.
Pricing & Ownership Trade-Offs
The total cost of ownership diverges sharply. A perpetual Topaz Video AI license was effectively a one-time purchase for a frozen tool. Topaz Video requires ongoing payment but includes new models and features as they release. MyImageUpscaler's 2026 pricing note warns that Topaz pricing changes often, with single-app, collection, personal, pro, annual, and cloud-credit tiers, so buyers should check the current pricing page before committing.
For occasional users with modest needs, the legacy license may deliver more value over time. For professionals who depend on the latest restoration quality and future OS support, the subscription is the only viable path. The break-even point depends on how long Topaz continues to release meaningful improvements and how often the user upgrades.
Migration Guide
If you own Topaz Video AI and are considering the switch, the official guidance is straightforward. You are not required to migrate. If Video AI already meets your needs, continue using it. If you want the newest models and modern hardware support, subscribe to Topaz Video and install it from your Apps page. The two apps can cause confusion if both are installed, so Topaz recommends uninstalling the legacy app once the new one is active.
- Back up any custom presets or project files from Topaz Video AI.
- Verify that your current hardware is supported by Topaz Video, especially if you use an Intel Mac.
- Check the current subscription tiers and confirm whether local or cloud rendering fits your privacy and speed needs.
- Download Topaz Video from your Apps page and run test renders on representative footage before canceling or uninstalling the legacy app.
- Keep the legacy installer in your account Legacy section as a fallback.
"The real question is not just 'does Topaz upscale?' but whether the specific model, rendering path, and license tier match your footage and delivery workflow."
— MyImageUpscaler, Topaz Video AI vs Alternatives 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use Topaz Video AI?
Yes. If you purchased a perpetual license, you can still download and use the final version 7.1.5 from the Legacy section of your Topaz account. It will not receive updates or new models.
Is Topaz Video a free upgrade?
No. Topaz Video is a separate subscription-only app. An existing Topaz Video AI license does not grant free access to the new app.
Which app works on Intel Macs?
Topaz Video AI supports Intel Macs with at least 4 GB VRAM. Topaz Video does not support Intel Macs.
What new models are in Topaz Video?
Topaz Video adds Hyperion 2, Starlight Precise 2.5, Starlight HQ, Starlight Fast 2, Gaia 2, Starlight Sharp, Denoise, Nyx XL, and Proteus Natural, none of which are available in Video AI.
Why does Video AI show as Expired?
"Expired" refers only to updates, not access. Because the app is discontinued, it no longer receives updates. Your perpetual license still allows you to use the version you own.
Should I switch to Topaz Video?
Switch if you need the newest models, want future OS and hardware support, and accept a subscription. Stay with Video AI if you own a perpetual license, use an Intel Mac, or your current workflow is already sufficient.
Conclusion
Topaz Video AI and Topaz Video are not two versions of the same product. They are two different business models and development timelines. Video AI is a finished perpetual tool that still works but will not improve. Topaz Video is a living subscription service with better models and modern hardware support at the cost of recurring payments.
Your decision should be driven by hardware, workflow, and budget. If you restore video professionally and need every quality advantage, Topaz Video is the clear choice. If you already own Video AI and it handles your typical footage well, there is no urgent reason to migrate. Test both on the same clip, compare the output, and let the render quality justify the subscription before you commit.