Palette

Overview

Palette colorizes uploaded photos through a web editor, API, and Windows application, making it a fit for both people refining individual images and developers handling larger workloads. Its combination of filter selection and prompt controls is the main reason to choose it; the free previews are watermarked and too small for finished work.

Key features

• Filter and prompt controls: The web editor offers more than 21 color filters, which gives users several starting points before fine-tuning with descriptions or keywords. The API adds automated and custom prompts, reference images, and up to 120 prompts for one image. That range suits workflows where a single automatic result is not enough, though users who only need a quick conversion may not need the extra controls.
• Batch and API processing: Batch processing is supported, and Palette says a simple script can colorize over 1 million images per day. This makes the API the more relevant option for high-volume work than processing images individually in the editor. The API platform has moved to RapidAPI, so developers should account for that when planning an integration.
• Video API: The beta API colorizes video frames in SD, Full-HD, and 4K. Its beta label makes it a less settled choice for a production video workflow.
• Image handling and integrations: Images can be up to 4K resolution and 10MB each. Palette documents connections with iPhone photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other photo apps, plus a Windows desktop application from Covenant that uses its colorization engine.
• Privacy and usage rights: Palette says uploaded files are securely processed and deleted shortly after results are provided. Its terms let users retain ownership of created images and videos and use them commercially without restrictions.
• Support: An FAQ and contact-us link provide routes to self-service guidance and direct help.

Pricing

Palette uses credits for paid use, with a free option, a one-time purchase, and an annual subscription.

• Try it for free — free: Includes one free trial credit and unlimited color previews, but previews are resized to 500x500px and carry a watermark. This is useful for exploring filters, not for judging a clean, full-size finished image.
• Pay once — $49, paid once: A one-time payment buys 75 credits, supports images up to 5000x5000px, and remains available for two years; limited ads apply. It suits occasional projects better than a recurring plan, but the fixed credit pool is finite.
• Subscribe — $72 a year: Billed at $6/month = $72 year, this plan provides 480 credits per year, images up to 5000x5000 pixels, and credits that refresh monthly or yearly. Rollover is capped at five times the monthly plan amount. It is the better fit for recurring use, while the annual commitment and credit limits matter for workloads that fluctuate.

The paid plans raise the image ceiling above the free preview size, but Palette's documented upload limit remains 10MB per image.

Platforms

Palette supports web, API, and Windows. Its documented integrations include iPhone photos, Google Drive, Dropbox, and other photo apps; API access is now through RapidAPI.

Who it's for

Palette suits photographers and other users who want to steer color choices with filters and text, as well as developers who need prompt-driven API or batch workflows. It is less compelling for someone seeking an unrestricted finished export without paying, or for production video work that depends on a beta API.

Pros and cons

• Pros: More than 21 web filters plus keyword and description refinements offer meaningful direction over image colorization.
• Pros: API prompt tools, reference images, batch processing, and a stated capacity of over 1 million images per day give developers options beyond one-at-a-time editing.
• Pros: Commercial use is permitted without restrictions, and uploaded files are deleted shortly after results are provided.
• Cons: Free previews are watermarked and limited to 500x500px, so they cannot stand in for a finished export.
• Cons: Paid access is credit-based, and the one-time purchase expires after two years.
• Cons: The Video API is still in beta, and image uploads are capped at 10MB.

Alternatives

AI Photo Colorization Software, AI Image Enhancers, and AI Image Colorizers offer broader category comparisons.

• Cutout.Pro is worth considering if broader platform support matters: it spans mobile, desktop, web, and API, with a $5 a month plan for 80 credits.
• ImageColorizer may suit users who want a stated monthly free allowance: its free plan provides 50 credits per month, single processing, all AI features, and ads.
• PicWish Photo Colorizer offers free online colorizing and downloads, plus bulk editing for up to 30 images.
• insMind AI Photo Restoration is an option for users focused on old-photo restoration, with a free offering and paid plans billed monthly, yearly, or once.
• VanceAI Photo Colorizer may fit users who prefer an annually billed monthly credit plan; its Starter plan is $15 a month, billed annually, for 260 credits per month.
• Colorize by Photomyne is a mobile-only alternative for Android and iOS users, with a limited free option and a $59.99 a year membership after a three-day free trial.
• DDColor is a free, open-source alternative for users who want API, Linux, or self-hosted deployment.
• DeepAI Image Colorizer is another API and web option, with free basic access and a paid Pro plan.

Verdict

Choose Palette if you want several ways to guide photo colorization and need an API or batch path as your workload grows. Its prompt controls, commercial-use terms, and high-volume claim make it a strong fit for directed or automated work; look elsewhere if you need clean full-size free exports, or if a beta video tool is not dependable enough for your workflow.