Palette

What is Palette?

Palette adds color to black-and-white photographs without redrawing them, so the original scan comes back unchanged apart from the color. Its colorization engine has run since 2017 and the partner site reports 54 million photographs colorized. Individuals can use the Palette app, while developers get an image API with endpoints for automatic-prompt colorization, reference-image colorization and prompt generation, plus a video API that works frame by frame in SD, Full-HD or 4K. You can steer results with generated or custom prompts, reference images and basic color correction, and bulk scripts can process large archives. Photo platforms, archives and productions can license the engine as a hosted endpoint or a container on their own hardware, with project, annual and platform terms. Palette's image API pricing runs from a free Basic tier with 200 credits to a Mega plan at $169. Video plans start at Ultra for $89, and the site notes the API now runs through RapidAPI.

Use cases

• Colorize old family photographs
• Colorize large photo archives in bulk
• Add a colorization feature to a photo app
• Colorize historical video frames
• Preview colors with a reference image
• License colorization for a photo platform

Who it's for

• Families
• Archivists and museums
• Photo app developers
• Film and TV productions

Why use Palette

• Keeps the original photograph intact, since only the color changes and details are not regenerated.
• Scales from one photo to archives, with bulk scripts and API tiers priced by credits.
• Fits many setups: use the app, call the API, or run the engine on your own hardware.
• Lets you control the look through prompts, reference images and generated prompt variations.
• Does not train on your photos, according to the partner site, and licensed outputs are yours to use commercially.

Palette features

• Image colorization in SD, Full-HD and 4K
• Video colorization frame by frame up to 4K
• Automatic prompts, custom prompts or reference images
• Prompt generator for up to 120 variations per image
• Basic auto color correction and white balance
• Bulk colorization via script, Google Drive or Dropbox
• Base64 image endpoint for app integration
• Container deployment on your own hardware for licensed use
• Pinned versions so results do not change unexpectedly
• Support for a long list of image formats up to 10MB

Palette integrations

• RapidAPI
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Google Colab

How to get started with Palette

1. Choose how to use Palette: the app for a few photos, the API for software, or a licence for platforms.
2. For the API, sign up, select a plan and send an image to a colorize endpoint, using an automatic prompt or a reference image.
3. Optionally generate prompts first to test different colorizations of the same photo.
4. Download the colorized result in the resolution you paid credits for, from SD to 4K.
5. For video, generate a prompt, then colorize frames with the prompt and a reference image to keep the look consistent.

Palette limitations

• Colors are inferred, so some results are guesses
• Dark or faded scans can come back flatter
• Maximum image file size is 10MB
• Video frame consistency is not a design goal, so a previous frame is used as a reference
• Licences cover your own products and not reselling colorization on its own

Palette pricing

Yes, Palette has a free plan.

Palette plans

• Basic

  Free

  Image API

  • 200 image credits
  • 1 query per second
  • Extra credits at $0.01

• Pro

  $39

  Image API

  • 8,000 image credits
  • 2.5 queries per second
  • Extra credits at $0.005

• Ultra

  $79

  Image API

  • 20,000 image credits
  • 3.3 queries per second
  • Extra credits at $0.004

• Mega

  $169

  Image API

  • 48,000 image credits
  • 5 queries per second
  • Extra credits at $0.0035

• Ultra (Video)

  $89

  Video API

  • 67,500 credits
  • 5 queries per second
  • About 45 min of SD video

• Mega (Video)

  $189

  Video API

  • 180,000 credits
  • 7 queries per second
  • About 120 min of SD video

Plans as listed on the official pricing page on 24 Oct 2026. Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

Palette alternatives

The main Palette alternatives listed on Debuly are Hotpot, Kira, Remini, A1D.AI, Adobe Firefly and Dreamina. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. 

   A1D.AI

   AI image and video toolkit for upscaling, background removal, video generation and creative effects, with an API and Canva apps.

   Image generationVideoDesign
   FreemiumVisit A1D.AI (official site)
2. 

   Adobe Firefly

   Adobe's generative AI app for creating and editing images, video, audio and vectors, with Adobe and partner models.

   Image generationVideoDesignAudio and voice
   FreemiumVisit Adobe Firefly (official site)
3. 

   Dreamina

   CapCut's AI image and video generator with Seedance and Seedream models, a free option, and credit-based Basic to Advanced plans.

   Image generationVideoDesign
   FreemiumVisit Dreamina (official site)
4. 

   Hotpot

   Browser-based AI tools for generating images and short videos, making headshots, editing photos, and restoring or colorizing old pictures.

   Image generationVideoDesign
   Visit Hotpot (official site)
5. 

   Kira

   AI image and video generator and editor with Lite, Nova and Ultra modes and credit-based plans.

   Image generationVideoDesign
   FreemiumVisit Kira (official site)
6. 

   Remini

   AI photo and video enhancer that sharpens blurry pictures, restores old photos and creates AI portraits of you from your own pictures.

   Image generationVideoDesign
   Visit Remini (official site)

Palette FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

• Logo: from palette.fm · fetched 24 Oct 2026 · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
• Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

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