Palette

Palette is a photo-colorization service for people who want some control over how an image is colored. It suits both occasional users and developers, with a web editor, API access and a Windows application built on its colorization engine.

Overview

Upload a photo, choose from more than 21 web filters, then refine the colors with descriptions or keywords. That extra direction is useful when an automatic result needs adjustment, though Palette’s free preview is watermarked and resized to 500×500 pixels. It is a way to assess the output, not a finished image.

Key features

• Color controls: Filter selection and text-based fine-tuning give users options beyond a single automatic pass. API users can also automate prompts, supply custom prompts or reference images, and generate up to 120 prompts for one image. That makes Palette more suitable for workflows that need variations or programmatic direction than for people seeking a one-click result.
• Batch and API processing: Batch processing is supported, and Palette says a simple script can colorize over 1 million images per day. For high-volume work, API access is more relevant than handling images individually in the web editor. The API platform has moved to RapidAPI, and the documented image limit is 4K resolution and 10MB per image.
• Video API: The beta service supports colorizing video frames in SD, Full-HD and 4K. Its beta status makes it a less settled choice than the photo workflow.
• Integrations and privacy: 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. Uploaded files are securely processed and deleted shortly after results are provided. Users retain ownership of images and videos created with the service and may use them commercially without restrictions.

Pricing

The free Try it for free plan costs nothing and includes one trial credit and unlimited color previews. Those previews are limited to 500×500 pixels and carry a watermark, so the free tier is best for exploring filters rather than producing clean, full-size results.

Pay once costs $49, paid once, billed as a one-time payment. It provides 75 credits, supports images up to 5000×5000 pixels, is available for two years and includes limited ads. This suits occasional users who want a defined credit pack without an annual renewal; the two-year availability means it is not an indefinite balance.

Subscribe costs $72 a year, billed at $6/month = $72 year. It includes 480 credits per year, supports images up to 5000×5000 pixels, and refreshes credits monthly or yearly, with rollover up to five times the monthly plan amount. It is the stronger fit for regular use, though unused credits remain subject to that rollover cap.

Platforms

Palette is available on web, Windows and through an API. The service also documents integrations with iPhone photos, Google Drive, Dropbox and other photo apps. Its 10MB maximum upload size and 4K documented image limit matter for users working with large source files.

Who it's for

Palette is a good fit for people who want to steer photo colors with filters and text, and for developers who need batch processing or API-based prompt workflows. It is less compelling for users who need unrestricted free exports, or for those whose images exceed the upload limit. The video API may interest teams exploring frame colorization, but it is marked beta.

Pros and cons

• Pro: More than 21 web filters plus description and keyword controls give users ways to adjust color choices.
• Pro: API prompt automation, reference images and batch processing support programmatic and higher-volume use.
• Pro: Users retain ownership of created images and videos and may use them commercially without restrictions.
• Con: Free previews are watermarked and limited to 500×500 pixels, restricting their usefulness as finished outputs.
• Con: The image upload cap is 10MB, which can rule out larger source files.
• Con: The video workflow is beta, while paid image plans rely on credits and the one-time pack is available for only two years.

Alternatives

Consider PicWish Photo Colorizer if broader device coverage or free bulk editing matters: it supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, Windows and API, and its online plan offers free colorizing and downloads plus bulk edits of up to 30 images. Choose ImageColorizer if you want a free tier with 50 monthly credits and single processing, or a $6.90 a month Starter plan with 500 credits.

VanceAI Photo Colorizer may suit users looking for a 10-credit free tryout or a plan with 260 credits per month; its free online uploads support JPG and PNG up to 5MB. For a web option with no signup, watermark or photo-count limit, consider Colorize Photo, which is free.

Hotpot AI Photo Colorizer is another web alternative. SnapOtter is a free option for web, Linux and macOS. If you prefer paid desktop software with a lifetime license, AKVIS Coloriage AI offers Home Plugin and Home Standalone plans at $75, paid once for two computers, and Home Deluxe at $90, paid once.

HitPaw AI Image Colorizer is a paid alternative with a free trial and plans that automatically renew but can be canceled at any time.

Browse AI Image Colorizers, AI Photo Colorization Software or AI Image Enhancers to compare more options.

Verdict

Choose Palette if you want adjustable photo colorization with API and batch options, or a credit-based paid plan for recurring work. Its strongest advantage is the range from web filters to prompt-driven workflows; look elsewhere if you need unrestricted free exports, larger-than-10MB uploads or a mature video-colorization tool.