Trying to share images in various aspect ratios for different social media needs? Thanks to AI image extenders, we can now use AI to expand images for all kinds of scenarios easily. These AI tools use generative AI to extrapolate backgrounds, objects, and details beyond the original frame—perfect for photographers, designers, and social media creators.
But with so many options available, how do you pick the right one? After rigorously testing 20+ tools, I've curated the best AI image extenders that balance power, ease of use, and affordability. Before diving into detailed reviews, here's a quick tip to enhance your image quality.
Quick Solution: Upscale and Enhance Image Quality with Aiarty Image Enhancer
Once you've extended an image or changed its aspect ratio with outpainting, the output image may be restricted to 1K or 2K resolution, resulting in quality loss. The better practice is to use Aiarty Image Enhancer as the best companion tool to upscale images to 4K/8K/16K, and generate details with advanced AI models.
Download Aiarty Image Enhancer to Boost the Quality of Expanded Images:
Top 7 AI Image Extenders in 2024-2025
AI technology is booming, and with rapid innovation and fierce competition, some tools might be short-lived or less reliable. To help you navigate this dynamic landscape, I've handpicked the top AI Image Extenders that deliver exceptional results and stability for your creative projects. See how we test and review the tools.
1. PicsArt AI Image Extender
Platform: https://picsart.com/ai-image-extender/
Pricing: Plans Plan: $5/month, Pro Plan: $7/month
Free trial: 2 free tasks per account.
PicsArt wasn't the first AI image extender I tested, but its results were so impressive that I moved it to the top of my list. Unlike tools that demand detailed prompts, PicsArt works automatically: drag the frame handles or select preset ratios (16:9 for YouTube, 1:1 for Facebook), and it expands the image seamlessly. This simplicity makes it ideal for beginners or creators needing quick social media adjustments.
To stress-test outpainting consistency, I use AI to expand the image of a girl holding an artichoke in a plant store. PicsArt extended the scene by adding botanically accurate leaves and shelves that matched the original's lighting and texture. The background retained the "plant store vibe" without awkward gaps—unlike RunwayML's Infinite Image tool, which generated mismatched background for the same image.
Side Note: This astronaut image is quite challenging, and we can see that PicsArt failed to properly expand the body of the woman on the right. However, at least it didn't distort the characters' faces. You'll see what I mean when testing the same image on other tools below.
Pros:
- Outperforms other tools on theme and style consistency when outpainting the image.
- Supports preset ratios for social media, banners, and web designs.
Cons:
- Limited manual control for advanced users.
2. Diffuser Image Outpaint on Hugging Face (Free)
Platform: https://huggingface.co/spaces/fffiloni/diffusers-image-outpaint
Pricing: Free, open source.
If you're looking for a free AI image extender, Diffusers Image Outpaint on Hugging Face is one of the most popular options, backed by 1.75K likes on Hugging Face and positive feedback from Reddit users. In my test sessions, this tool delivered reliable results for both AI-generated images and real photos.
You can either add a prompt to guide the outpainting or leave it blank. The tool also lets you adjust alignment settings, allowing you to place the source image in the middle, left, or right when changing aspect ratios.
What excites me the most is its ability to expand challenging images, such as the Midjourney image shown above. It successfully used AI to expand the image from horizontal into a vertical one, seamlessly painting out the face with impressive quality—on par with, or even better than, some paid tools.
The only drawback? The output resolution is limited to 1K, but don’t worry—you can always upscale and enhance images after outpainting.
Pros:
- Free and open-source, with results that surpass some paid tools.
- Advanced outpainting settings, including diffusion steps, mask overlap, and alignment options.
Cons:
- Limited customer support compared to paid services.
- Expanded image is restricted at 1536x1536.
3. Fotor AI Image Expander
Platform: https://www.fotor.com/photo-editor-app/editor/ai/ai-extender
Pricing: Fotor Pro $7.19/month; Fotor Pro+ $13.99/month; discounts for yearly subscription.
Free trial: Yes, with watermarks.
Fotor AI Image Expander brings a fresh twist to the best AI image extenders with its combination of speed and quality. The tool effectively preserves detail and texture while expanding images. The standout feature? Fotor supports two variations for the outpainting output. This flexibility is perfect for indecisive users or projects where minor tweaks matter.
The platform also offers an extensive set of editing tools, which makes it easy to refine and adjust the final output. It’s particularly beneficial for users who want an ai image expander that doesn’t require a steep learning curve, providing a good mix of automation and creative control.
Using the same girl-with-artichoke photo, Fotor extended the plant convincingly, but the background lacked PicsArt's polish. The added shelves felt flat, and the borders had a slightly artificial blur.
As for the astronaut benchmark image, Fotor ideally extended the image with a matching body and spacesuit, yet the blurry edges still exist.
Pros:
- Good for quick social media edits with user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
- Dual results per outpainting task offers more options.
Cons:
- For certain images, the backgrounds lack aesthetic depth compared to PicsArt.
4. Canva AI Image Extender
Platform: https://www.canva.com/features/ai-image-expander/
Pricing: $15/month or $120/year.
Free trial: 30-day free trial.
Canva is already a powerhouse for design, and its AI image extender feature is no exception. During testing, I found that Canva's extension options worked well for social media graphics and marketing materials, preserving style and color fidelity throughout.
What I like the most about Canva is its seamless integration with the entire design ecosystem, making it an ideal option for users who need an all-in-one solution.
Pros:
- Consistent quality and color preservation.
- Great for social media and marketing visuals.
Cons:
- Limited flexibility for extremely creative outpainting needs.
5. ExtendImage.AI
Platform: https://www.extendimage.ai/
Pricing: $14.99/month
Free trial: 1 image only.
ExtendImage.AI is frequently mentioned in other blogs and forums as the best AI image extenders. You can enter a prompt to describe the desired outpainting for the image, and select up to 4 images per output. It uses generative models to extrapolate backgrounds and objects beyond the original frame.
In my tests, the tool can handle photos with a clean background. However, if the image features complex scenes or multiple characters, this online AI Image Extender may generate distorted faces. See the garbled faces on both ends in the screenshots above.
Pros:
- Extend photos with a simple background.
Cons:
- Supports PNG, JPG, and JPEG at a maximum size of 4MB.
- Steep pricing for hobbyists.
6. Photoroom AI Image Expander
Platform: https://www.photoroom.com/tools/ai-expand
Pricing: $89.99/year; $12.99/month.
Free trial: Yes.
Photoroom AI Image Expander is designed with efficiency in mind. It's tailored for users who need an AI photo expander that works quickly and effectively, without compromising on quality. In my testing phase, Photoroom demonstrated nice consistency, particularly when dealing with photos and simple graphic designs.
The tool is ideal for users who frequently edit images for e-commerce or social media, offering robust performance and user-friendly features. Its minimalistic design keeps the focus on the image, ensuring that the extension process is as straightforward as possible.
Pros:
- Minimalistic interface that enhances user focus.
- Fast processing with consistently outpainting results.
Cons:
- Fewer advanced editing features compared to competitors.
- Occasional artifacts with highly intricate images.
7. Free AI Image Extenders in Stable Diffusion
Platforms:
Stable Diffusion A1111: https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui
Stable Diffusion ComfyUI: https://github.com/comfyanonymous/ComfyUI
Pricing: Free, open source.
Stable Diffusion is the best free AI image generator with built-in outpainting features. However, setting it up locally can be daunting—you'll need to download the right models, install extensions, and fine-tune settings, all of which require time, effort, and technical knowledge. If you're new to Stable Diffusion, this option may not be the easiest to start with.
If you've read our detailed guide on How to Use Stable Diffusion Outpainting, you can try the following AI image extender extensions:
1) Mosaic Outpaint
https://github.com/Haoming02/sd-webui-mosaic-outpaint
2) InvokeAI
https://github.com/invoke-ai/InvokeAI
3) IOPaint
https://github.com/Sanster/IOPaint
This setup is perfect for tech-savvy users who enjoy tweaking settings and diving into the mechanics of AI image extension. Please note that, while these tools are powerful, they may raise ethical concerns in commercial applications, as some models have been trained on unlicensed artworks.
Pros:
- Excellent for users already familiar with Stable Diffusion.
- Powerful and flexible tool with deep customization options.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for those new to Stable Diffusion.
- Requires high-end computers and manual adjustments for optimal results.
How I Picked the Best AI Image Expanders
I spent 2 days testing these tools on AI art and real-world images: portraits, product shots, and AI art, taking screenshots and making side-by-side comparisons. Output quality is the most important aspect. When tools fell short, I noted it—no fluff, just honest insights. I also take into consideration the ease of use, pricing vs features, speed, and customization.
Key Considerations When Choosing the Best AI Picture Extenders
- Output Quality: Visual fidelity, absence of artifacts, and logical coherence between original and generated regions.
- Ease of Use: Interface intuitiveness, automation features, and learning curve.
- Pricing: Free tiers vs. subscription plans.
- Customization Options: Control over outpainting direction, aspect ratio adjustments, and prompt-based guidance.
- Speed: Processing time for image outpainting, especially with large images.
Bonus Tips: Enhance Image Quality with More Details
During testing, I found that most AI Image Extenders have limited output resolution. Some max out at 2K, while others are restricted to 1K—such as the 1536x1536 limitation in Diffuser Image Outpaint. This can be a major drawback if you need ultra-sharp images for 4K screens, high-quality prints, or detailed creative projects.
That's where Aiarty Image Enhancer comes in. It not only upscales your image to 4K, 8K, 16K, or even 32K, but also enhances it by adding realistic details, reducing noise, and sharpening edges—all without sacrificing the original style of your outpainting images.
Highlighted Features of Aiarty Image Enhancer:
- All-Around Enhancement: Denoise, deblur, upscale and enhance images to 4K/8K/16K and higher.
- Detail-Preserving Upscaling: Generates intricate textures and details beyond standard upscalers.
- Multi-Purpose AI Models: Designed for AIGC art, photos, and low-quality images.
- Offline & Batch Processing: Secure processing without an internet connection. Up to 3000 images at once.
Unlike many upscaling tools that simply stretch pixels, Aiarty leverages advanced AI models to intelligently reconstruct missing details. This makes it an ideal companion for AI-generated artwork, old photos, and even compressed images that need restoration.
Download Aiarty Image Enhancer to enhance and upscale expanded images with details:
You May Also Like
This post was written by Brenda Peng who is a seasoned editor at Digiarty Software who loves turning ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. With AI assistance from DeepSeek for brainstorming and drafting, the post is reviewed for accuracy by our expert Abby Poole for her expertise in this field.
