Restory vs FixMyPics: Complete Comparison 2026

Quick Verdict

FixMyPics and Restory are both iOS apps focused on old photo restoration, but the depth of their toolkits differs significantly. Restory offers six specialized restoration tools including colorization, enhancement, face restoration, scratch removal, generative fill, and video animation. FixMyPics concentrates on three core features: colorization, restoration (removing noise and yellowing), and scratch removal. FixMyPics does these three things well and has earned a solid 4.61-star rating from approximately 9,000 reviews, but users who need more advanced capabilities like face-specific restoration, AI reconstruction of missing photo areas, or video animation will find Restory's broader toolkit more suitable. For simple restoration tasks, FixMyPics is a competent option. For comprehensive photo restoration, Restory provides the more complete solution.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Restory	FixMyPics
AI Colorization	Yes (4 coins)	Yes
Photo Enhancement	Yes (4 coins)	Yes (Noise/Yellowing Removal)
Face Restoration	Yes (5 coins)	No
Scratch Removal	Yes (5 coins)	Yes
Generative Fill / Recreate	Yes (6 coins, Premium)	No
Bring Photos to Life (Video)	Yes (10-15 coins)	No
Languages Supported	32	Limited
Platform	iOS	iOS
App Store Rating	4.8+	4.61
Number of Reviews	10K+	~9K
Total Feature Count	6 tools	3 tools

Detailed Feature Breakdown

Colorization

Both apps offer AI colorization for transforming black-and-white photos into color, and both do a commendable job. Restory's colorization engine analyzes contextual elements like clothing style, environmental setting, skin tones, and era-appropriate color palettes to produce natural results. It handles complex scenes with multiple subjects, varied textures, and mixed lighting conditions effectively.

FixMyPics also provides solid colorization results. The app has been refined over time, and user reviews generally praise the colorization output as natural and believable. For standard portrait colorization, both apps produce results that most users will be satisfied with. The differences become more apparent on challenging photos with unusual lighting, mixed indoor-outdoor scenes, or large groups where Restory's model tends to maintain more consistency.

Our guide to colorizing black and white photos offers tips for getting the best results regardless of which app you use.

Restoration and Enhancement

FixMyPics bundles its restoration capabilities into a single tool focused on removing noise and yellowing from old photos. This addresses two of the most common issues with aged photographs: the grainy noise that develops over time and the yellow or brown tint that comes from chemical degradation of the photo paper. The tool is effective at these specific tasks and produces clean results on moderately degraded photos.

Restory takes a more granular approach, separating enhancement into its own tool (4 coins) and adding a dedicated face restoration tool (5 coins). The enhancement tool addresses general clarity, fading, and detail improvement, while the face restoration tool specifically targets facial features in degraded portraits. This separation matters because the AI models can focus on their specific task without compromise.

The practical impact is most noticeable on portrait photos. When processing a family portrait from the 1940s, Restory's face restoration tool can recover eye detail, nose definition, lip clarity, and skin texture that a general restoration tool would not specifically target. FixMyPics' restoration will improve the overall photo quality, including faces, but without the specialized facial feature recovery that Restory provides.

For a detailed walkthrough on photo restoration techniques, see our complete guide to restoring old photos.

Scratch Removal

Both apps offer scratch removal tools, and both handle standard scratches, creases, and minor tears effectively. The AI in each app can detect linear damage patterns and fill them with content that matches the surrounding area. For typical scratches from handling wear or storage damage, you will get comparable results from either app.

Where differences emerge is on more severe damage. Restory's scratch removal has been refined to handle heavier damage including deep creases, multiple overlapping scratches, and tears that cross important facial features. FixMyPics handles moderate scratches well but may struggle with extensive damage where large areas need reconstruction.

Generative Fill: Restory's Unique Advantage

Restory's Generative Fill/Recreate feature (6 coins, Premium) is a capability that FixMyPics does not offer at all. This tool uses AI to reconstruct missing or severely damaged portions of a photo. When a photo has a torn corner, a hole from water damage, or an area where the emulsion has completely lifted away, Generative Fill can create plausible content to fill the gap.

This is not the same as scratch removal. Scratch removal fixes linear damage where most of the underlying image data is still present. Generative fill handles cases where the image data is completely gone and the AI must generate new content based on the surrounding context. For anyone working with severely damaged photos, this feature alone can be a deciding factor.

Video Animation: Another Restory Exclusive

Restory's "Bring Photos to Life" feature (10-15 coins) transforms static photos into short animated video clips. The AI adds subtle, realistic movement to portraits, including blinking, slight head turns, and facial expression changes. This feature has become popular for sharing restored family photos on social media, in family chat groups, and at family gatherings.

FixMyPics does not offer any video or animation capabilities. While not everyone needs this feature, it adds a layer of emotional impact to restored photos that static images alone cannot achieve.

Explore the full range of Restory's tools on the features page.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing as of March 2026. Prices may vary by region and are subject to change.

Restory Pricing

Restory offers flexible pricing through its coin system:

• Free tier: Limited coins included to try the app
• Weekly subscription: 9.99 EUR per week (includes 50 coins)
• Annual subscription: 39.99 EUR per year (includes 200 coins, with a 3-day free trial)
• Coin packs (one-time purchases):
  • 50 coins for 7.99 EUR
  • 200 coins for 24.99 EUR
  • 500 coins for 44.99 EUR

Individual tool costs range from 4 coins (colorization, enhancement) to 15 coins (video animation), giving users granular control over spending.

FixMyPics Pricing

FixMyPics uses a subscription-based model. Specific pricing details may vary; check the App Store for current rates. The app typically offers weekly and annual subscription options with a free trial period.

Value Analysis

Restory's coin-based system provides notable flexibility. Users who only need to restore a few photos can purchase a one-time coin pack without committing to a recurring subscription. The 50-coin pack at 7.99 EUR allows for approximately 10-12 basic restorations, which is enough for a small family album project. The annual subscription at 39.99 EUR represents excellent value for users who regularly restore photos throughout the year.

For users with simple needs who only want to colorize and clean up a handful of photos, FixMyPics' subscription may be more straightforward since it provides unlimited access to its three tools during the subscription period. However, the lack of one-time purchase options means you are always committed to a subscription timeline.

Quality Comparison

Colorization Quality

Both apps produce good colorization results on standard photos. Restory has a slight advantage on complex scenes, large groups, and photos with challenging lighting. FixMyPics delivers solid, natural colors on portraits and simple compositions. For the majority of common restoration scenarios, such as a black-and-white portrait of a grandparent, either app will produce satisfying results.

General Restoration Quality

FixMyPics excels at its core tasks. The noise and yellowing removal produces clean results without over-processing, and the app preserves important photo details while removing unwanted degradation. It is a focused tool that does its limited set of tasks well.

Restory's quality advantage comes from having dedicated tools. The face restoration specifically recovers facial details that general restoration cannot target. The enhancement tool improves overall clarity without the compromises that come from trying to simultaneously handle multiple types of damage. Each tool in Restory's lineup has been optimized for its specific function.

Damage Handling Range

This is where the feature gap creates the biggest quality difference. FixMyPics can handle light to moderate damage effectively: noise, yellowing, and standard scratches. Restory can handle the same damage types plus severe damage that requires AI reconstruction through Generative Fill. For well-preserved photos that just need cleaning up, both apps perform well. For badly damaged photos with missing sections, only Restory has the tools to address the full scope of the damage.

Ease of Use

Restory

Restory's interface is clear and organized. You upload a photo and see all available tools with their coin costs displayed. You select the tool that matches your need, process the photo, and save the result. The 32-language support ensures that users worldwide can navigate the app in their native language. The workflow is efficient, and the preview system lets you evaluate results before committing coins.

For users with multiple types of damage on a single photo, Restory allows you to apply different tools sequentially. You might first use scratch removal to fix physical damage, then use enhancement to improve clarity, and finally use colorization to add color. This layered approach gives you control over the restoration process.

FixMyPics

FixMyPics has a simple, straightforward interface that benefits from its focused feature set. With only three tools to choose from, there is less decision-making required, which some users will prefer. The app is easy to navigate even for users who are not tech-savvy, and the reduced complexity means less potential for confusion.

However, the simplicity has a flip side. When a photo needs a type of processing that FixMyPics does not offer, such as face-specific restoration or reconstruction of missing areas, you reach a dead end within the app. Restory's additional tools mean you are less likely to encounter a problem you cannot address.

Pros and Cons

Restory Pros

• Six specialized restoration tools cover a wider range of photo damage types
• Dedicated face restoration recovers facial details that general restoration misses
• Generative fill reconstructs missing or severely damaged photo areas
• Video animation adds emotional impact to restored photos
• Flexible pricing with subscription and one-time coin pack options
• 32 language support for worldwide accessibility
• Higher App Store rating (4.8+ vs 4.61) indicates stronger user satisfaction
• Layered processing allows sequential application of different tools

Restory Cons

• iOS only, no Android version
• More tools mean slightly more complexity in choosing the right one
• Premium features like generative fill and video require more coins
• Coin-based system requires understanding feature costs

FixMyPics Pros

• Solid App Store rating of 4.61 with approximately 9,000 reviews
• Simple, focused interface with three clear tools
• Effective noise and yellowing removal for age-related photo degradation
• Good scratch removal for standard physical damage
• Easy to learn with minimal complexity
• Large user base (~9K reviews) provides social proof of reliability

FixMyPics Cons

• Only three features limit what you can accomplish within the app
• No face restoration tool for recovering degraded facial details
• No generative fill for reconstructing missing photo areas
• No video animation capability
• No enhancement tool separate from restoration
• Limited language support compared to Restory's 32 languages
• No one-time purchase option (subscription only)
• Cannot handle severe damage beyond scratches and general degradation

Who Should Choose Restory?

Restory is the right choice for users who want the most capable photo restoration app available on iOS. It is particularly suited for:

• Users with a variety of damaged photos requiring different restoration approaches
• Anyone with severely damaged photos that need AI reconstruction of missing areas
• Users who want to create animated video clips from restored portraits
• People who prefer the flexibility of one-time purchases over mandatory subscriptions
• Non-English speakers who need native language support in the app
• Anyone who values having the right specialized tool for each type of damage

Start restoring your photos with Restory at restory.photos.

Who Should Choose FixMyPics?

FixMyPics is a reasonable choice if you:

• Have photos with only light to moderate damage (noise, yellowing, minor scratches)
• Prefer the simplest possible interface with minimal decision-making
• Do not need face-specific restoration, generative fill, or video features
• Want a focused app that does three things well rather than six things
• Are comfortable with subscription-only pricing

The Feature Depth Question

The core question in this comparison is whether you need three tools or six. For some users, FixMyPics' three tools will cover everything they need. If your old photos are reasonably well-preserved and just need cleaning up, colorizing, and minor scratch repair, FixMyPics handles that competently.

But old photos are unpredictable. You might start with a box of photos thinking they just need basic restoration, only to discover that several have water damage requiring generative fill, or faces so degraded that only dedicated face restoration can recover them. Having Restory's full toolkit means you are prepared for whatever condition your photos are in, without needing to switch to a different app mid-project.

The video animation feature, while not a restoration tool per se, adds significant emotional value. Being able to share a short animated clip of a restored grandparent's portrait in a family group chat creates a moment of connection that a static image cannot match. This feature has no equivalent in FixMyPics.

Alternatives to Consider

For a broader perspective on photo restoration options, explore our Remini alternatives roundup. Our educational guides on restoring old photos and colorizing black and white photos provide valuable context for getting the most out of any restoration app.

Final Verdict

Restory is the more complete photo restoration app and the better choice for most users. While FixMyPics earns respect for doing its three core features well and maintaining a solid 4.61-star rating from a large user base, Restory's additional tools provide meaningful capabilities that FixMyPics simply cannot match.

The dedicated face restoration, generative fill for missing photo areas, and video animation features give Restory a significant feature advantage. Combined with its higher App Store rating, 32-language support, and flexible coin-based pricing, Restory represents the more capable and versatile photo restoration solution.

FixMyPics remains a solid option for users with basic restoration needs and a preference for simplicity. But for anyone serious about restoring and preserving old family photographs, the additional depth of Restory's toolkit makes it the recommended choice.

Ready to give your old photos the complete restoration they deserve? Download Restory and access six specialized AI tools designed to bring every type of damaged photo back to life.