Best Free AI Inpainting and Outpainting Tools (2026)

Adobe Photoshop introduced Generative Fill in 2023 and it changed the way people think about image editing. Select an area, type a prompt, and watch the AI fill it in with something entirely new. Remove a person from a beach photo. Extend a landscape to fit a wider aspect ratio. Replace a cloudy sky with a sunset. The technology is genuinely impressive.

The problem is the price tag. Photoshop requires a Creative Cloud subscription starting at $22.99 per month. That is $275 per year just to access one feature. And even if you are willing to pay, Photoshop's generative fill is locked to a single Adobe model with limited control over the output style or quality.

What if you could access the same inpainting and outpainting capabilities using multiple state-of-the-art AI models, with more control, and without a subscription? That is exactly what Upsampler offers in the Image Edit tool. You can still try prompt-only edits for free (no signup) - mask-based inpainting and outpainting require the dashboard, not the free editor page.

This guide covers everything you need to know about AI inpainting and outpainting in 2026, the best models available, and how to use them effectively.

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What Are Inpainting and Outpainting?

Before diving into tools, let us clarify what these terms actually mean.

Inpainting

Inpainting is the process of regenerating a specific area within an image. You draw a mask over the region you want to change, provide a text prompt describing what should appear there, and the AI generates new content that blends seamlessly with the surrounding image. Common use cases include:

• Removing unwanted objects - a photobomber, a trash can, a power line
• Fixing AI-generated artifacts - bad hands, distorted faces, weird textures
• Adding new elements - placing a hat on someone, adding a pet to a scene
• Replacing backgrounds - swapping a plain wall for a window with a city view

Outpainting

Outpainting extends the boundaries of an image beyond its original frame. Instead of cropping, you expand. The AI generates new content around the edges that matches the style, lighting, and composition of the original. This is invaluable for:

• Changing aspect ratios - converting a square image to 16:9 for a YouTube thumbnail
• Expanding compositions - giving a portrait more headroom or adding environmental context
• Creating panoramic views - extending a landscape in both directions
• Print preparation - adding bleed area around designs for print-on-demand products

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Why You Do Not Need Photoshop for Generative Fill

Photoshop was the first mainstream tool to popularize generative fill, but it is no longer the only option, and in many cases it is not even the best one. Here is why:

Limited model choice. Photoshop uses a single Adobe Firefly model. If the output does not match what you need, you are stuck regenerating with the same model and hoping for a different result. On Upsampler, you can choose from multiple AI models with different strengths.

Subscription lock-in. $22.99 per month adds up quickly, especially if generative fill is the only Photoshop feature you need. Upsampler offers pay-per-use pricing with one-time credits that never expire, no subscription required, and free daily GPU minutes.

Restricted content policies. Adobe Firefly has some of the most conservative content policies in the industry. Upsampler provides broader creative freedom while maintaining responsible use guidelines.

No standalone access. You cannot use Photoshop's generative fill without installing the full application. Upsampler runs entirely in your browser.

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Best AI Models for Inpainting and Outpainting on Upsampler

Upsampler gives you access to multiple models that support mask-based editing. Here is what sets each one apart.

Nano Banana 2 (Google) - 11 Credits

Nano Banana 2 is Google's flagship image model and the default generation model on Upsampler. For editing, it supports all three modes: prompt-based editing, inpainting, and outpainting. Key strengths include multi-image reference support, web search grounding for real-world accuracy, and output up to 4K resolution. Available edit resolutions include 1376x768, 768x1376, and 1024x1024.

Best for: High-quality inpainting and outpainting when you need the best possible output and have reference images to guide the result.

Nano Banana Pro (Google) - 15 Credits

The premium tier of the Nano Banana family. Nano Banana Pro supports prompt editing, inpainting, and outpainting with state-of-the-art quality and reference image support. It is the most capable model for masked edits on the platform.

Best for: Professional-grade edits where quality is the top priority.

Flux Fill Pro (Black Forest Labs) - 5 Credits

Flux Fill Pro is purpose-built for mask-based generative fill. It uses a native masking system, meaning masks are processed directly by the model rather than being simulated through prompting. This results in cleaner edges and more accurate fills. Supports both inpainting and outpainting.

Best for: Clean, precise generative fills with tight mask boundaries. Excellent price-to-quality ratio.

Ideogram V3 - 6 Credits

Ideogram V3 supports prompt editing, inpainting, and outpainting with native mask support and built-in style presets. The model is particularly strong at maintaining text elements in images and offers an inverted mask option for more precise control.

Best for: Edits involving images with text, logos, or typography. Style presets make it easy to maintain a consistent look.

Seedream 4.5 (ByteDance) - 4 Credits

Seedream 4.5 is the default editing model on Upsampler, chosen for its strong balance of quality and affordability. It supports prompt editing and inpainting (not outpainting). With stronger spatial understanding than its predecessors, it handles complex compositional edits well.

Best for: Budget-friendly inpainting when you need solid quality at the lowest price point.

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How to Use AI Inpainting and Outpainting on Upsampler

Mask-based inpainting and outpainting (draw a mask, extend the canvas) live in the Image Edit tool with credits - that is where Nano Banana, Ideogram V3, Flux Fill Pro, and the other models below are available.

1. Open the Image Edit tool. Go to Upsampler's Image Edit tool and sign in to use credits.
2. Upload your image. Drag and drop or select an image from your device.
3. Select your edit mode. Choose prompt editing, inpainting, or outpainting depending on what you want to do.
4. Draw your mask. For inpainting, paint over the area you want to modify. For outpainting, define the expansion area.
5. Write your prompt. Describe what the AI should generate in the masked region. Be specific about style, content, and lighting.
6. Choose a model. Select from the available models based on your quality and budget needs.
7. Generate. Click generate and wait a few seconds for the result. Regenerate with a different prompt or model if needed.

The Free AI Image Editor is a separate no-signup page with a single prompt-based Qwen Image Edit workflow - no masks, no model picker. Use it for quick text-guided edits; use the dashboard for true generative fill.

After editing, you can upscale the result to 4K or 8K for printing or high-resolution use.

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Competitor Comparison: AI Inpainting and Outpainting Tools

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Upsampler vs. Photoshop Generative Fill

Photoshop's generative fill is good, but it comes with significant limitations. You are restricted to a single model (Adobe Firefly), and the content policy blocks a wide range of creative prompts. The output resolution is capped, and there is no way to use reference images to guide the generation. On Upsampler, you can choose from five different models, each with different strengths. Nano Banana 2 and Pro support reference images for style guidance. Flux Fill Pro offers native masking for cleaner results. And the entire workflow runs in your browser with no software installation.

Upsampler vs. Canva

Canva offers basic AI editing, but it does not have true inpainting or outpainting capabilities. Its AI tools are primarily designed for simple background removal and basic object erasure. For anything more complex, you need a dedicated tool. Upsampler provides the full generative fill experience with multiple models and precise mask control.

Upsampler vs. Runway

Runway is a strong platform, but its image editing capabilities use a single model with no alternative options. Outpainting support is limited, and the free tier is restrictive. Upsampler offers more model variety, more generous free access, and no signup requirement for the basic tools.

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Use Cases for AI Inpainting and Outpainting

E-Commerce Product Photography

Remove distracting backgrounds, add props, or extend product images to fit different aspect ratios for various marketplace listings. Generate consistent product photos without reshooting. Pair with the Free Background Remover for quick background swaps.

Social Media Content Creation

Convert a single image into multiple formats - square for Instagram, 16:9 for YouTube thumbnails, 9:16 for Stories and Reels - all using outpainting to extend the composition naturally rather than awkwardly cropping.

Photography Post-Processing

Remove tourists from landmark photos, erase power lines from landscape shots, or fix lens distortion artifacts at the edges of wide-angle images. Inpainting handles all of these cleanly.

AI Art Refinement

Fix common AI generation artifacts like distorted hands, extra fingers, or inconsistent textures. Generate an image with the Free AI Image Generator, then open the Image Edit tool and use inpainting to refine specific areas.

Print-on-Demand Design

Extend designs to fit various print sizes and add bleed areas. Outpainting is particularly useful for adapting a single design to work across t-shirts, posters, phone cases, and other merchandise formats.

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Tips for Better Inpainting and Outpainting Results

1. Be specific in your prompts. Instead of "add a tree," try "a tall oak tree with autumn leaves, soft afternoon light, matching the existing scene."
2. Match the lighting. Describe the lighting conditions in your prompt to ensure the generated content blends naturally.
3. Use smaller masks for precision. Larger masks give the AI more creative freedom, which can be good or bad. For precise edits, keep the mask tight around the area you want to change.
4. Try multiple models. Each model has different strengths. If one model produces an unsatisfying result, switch to another before adjusting your prompt.
5. Iterate. Inpaint over the inpainted area if the first result is close but not perfect. Successive refinements often produce the best results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is AI inpainting really free?

True mask-based inpainting and outpainting use credits in the Image Edit tool. The Free AI Image Editor gives daily GPU minutes for prompt-only edits (no mask) with no signup - it is not the same as Photoshop-style generative fill. You can still generate images free and upscale free without signup.

What is the difference between inpainting and outpainting?

Inpainting modifies content within the existing boundaries of an image - replacing, removing, or adding elements inside the frame. Outpainting extends the image beyond its original boundaries, generating new content around the edges.

Which model should I choose for inpainting?

For most use cases, Seedream 4.5 (4 credits) offers the best balance of quality and affordability. For premium quality, Nano Banana Pro (15 credits) delivers the best results. For precise mask-based fills, Flux Fill Pro (5 credits) is the specialist.

Can I use inpainting to remove objects from photos?

Absolutely. Draw a mask over the object you want to remove, provide a prompt describing what should replace it (or leave the prompt describing the background), and the AI will generate a clean replacement that blends with the surrounding image.

Does outpainting work with any image?

Yes, outpainting works with photographs, AI-generated images, illustrations, and digital art. The AI analyzes the existing content and generates new content that matches the style, lighting, and composition.

Can I inpaint and then upscale the result?

Yes. Inpaint or outpaint in the Image Edit tool, then use the Free AI Image Upscaler to enlarge the result - the upscaler does not require signup.

How does this compare to Photoshop's Generative Fill?

Upsampler offers more model variety (5 models vs. Photoshop's 1), runs in the browser without installing software, costs significantly less (pay-per-use vs. $22.99/month), and provides broader creative freedom with less restrictive content policies.

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Start Using AI Inpainting and Outpainting

You do not need a Photoshop subscription to access professional-grade generative fill. Upsampler puts multiple AI models with inpainting and outpainting support in the Image Edit tool.

Try prompt-only edits free (no signup), generate free, and upscale free - then open mask-based inpainting and outpainting when you are ready to use credits.

Whether you are removing objects from photos, extending compositions for print, or refining AI-generated art, the full workflow runs in your browser.

Open the Image Edit tool for generative fill with masks - or try the free editor for quick prompt-only edits first.