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Converting black and white video to color is no longer a complex or professional-only task. With today’s advanced AI video colorization tools, anyone can restore old footage, revive family memories, or transform classic films into vibrant visuals in just a few clicks.
In this 2025 guide, we objectively tested all major AI tools—including both desktop software and free online colorizers—using the same black-and-white footage under identical conditions (resolution, lighting, and clip length). This ensures that every comparison you’ll see below is fair, accurate, and based on real performance rather than promotional claims.
You’ll discover how each tool performs in terms of color accuracy, tone consistency, speed, and overall realism, and learn why UniFab ultimately delivers the best results for turning black and white videos into color.
For decades, turning black-and-white video into color was a task reserved for experts. It required hours of manual painting and frame-by-frame adjustments. Now, with AI-powered tools, anyone can convert black and white video to color automatically.
Benefits of AI Colorization:
Of course, traditional manual colorization still allows complete creative control. However, for most people, AI strikes the perfect balance between accuracy, speed, and ease of use, making it the best way to turn black and white video into color in 2025.
If you're looking for reliable ways to convert black and white video to color, AI-powered colorize video software is a great choice. It lets you add color to black and white video without relying on internet connectivity, as long as your computer meets the hardware requirements. Below are the top tools we tested, starting with the most recommended option.
UniFab AI Video Colorizer provides one of the most advanced solutions to turn black and white video into color with ease. Its Multi-Scene Colorization Mode automatically detects scene changes and applies the most suitable reference frame, ensuring smooth, consistent, and natural results.With four customizable color styles and a fully automatic workflow, UniFab delivers high-quality results quickly and easily.
black and white video to colour converter free download
UniFab Video Colorizer AI
Video Colorizer AI
For more details about UniFab Video Colorizer AI, watch this YouTube video:
From the image below, you can see how UniFab's AI uses advanced deep learning to add realistic color to black and white videos, boosting vibrancy and detail. It delivers accurate, consistent colors throughout and offers several style options to match different preferences.
30-day free trial for full feature, without watermark!
Open UniFab program > go to "All Features" and select the “colorizer” option. Then, upload your black-and-white video.
Click "Capture", drag the video progress bar to pick a reference frame. Use it to test 4 color styles. Click "Generate", UniFab will auto - create 4 styles for the frame. Then choose your favorite one.
Once you select the style, adjust the output parameters of the video and click on the “Start” option at the right below. The entire video will be colored according to your selected coloring style.
Pros
High-quality, lifelike results.
Multi-Scene Colorization avoids flickering.
Easy to use, even for beginners.
Flexible color styles for different projects.
Cons
Requires installation.
Verdict: UniFab offers the best balance of quality, speed, and customization. It’s the ideal choice if you want professional-level results without complex editing.
HitPaw Video Enhancer is another popular tool to convert black and white video to color. With its built-in Colorize Model, you can bring old footage back to life in just one click, making it an excellent choice for beginners who value simplicity.
HitPaw’s colorization feature enhances black-and-white videos by adding color. However, the results may still lack vibrancy and accuracy, with some details appearing blurry and reducing overall sharpness. In complex scenes, the colorization process can be inconsistent, sometimes leading to unnatural or distorted colors.
Import Your Black & White Video
Click "AI Color" to choose "B & W Colorization", then upload the black-and-white video you want to colorize.
Select Colorize Model
Choose Colorize model designed to colorize your B & W video.
Preview and Save Your Enhanced Video
Click on the Preview button to see the results. If you’re happy with the outcome, click Export to save the enhanced video to your computer.
Pros
Extremely easy to use, no learning curve.
One-click operation saves time.
Works on both Windows and macOS.
Cons
Higher price compared to alternatives.
Colors may look less vibrant in complex scenes.
Some details may appear blurry.
Verdict: HitPaw is best suited for beginners who want a quick way to turn black and white video into color without dealing with too many settings. However, professionals may find the results less refined compared to UniFab.
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is another strong option to turn black and white video into color. Unlike simpler tools, it offers two different AI models—Bright and Soft—giving users more flexibility depending on whether they prefer vivid or natural results.
Its Soft model struggles with natural skin tones, making faces look overly saturated and unnatural. Color distribution is uneven, with noticeable blending issues. Facial details appear blurred, and the high saturation creates a disconnect between the subject and background. While it adds color, the results lack realism and refinement.
Import B&W Film
Open AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI. Import black-and-white films by clicking or dragging them in.
Choose AI Model
Open the "Feature List" on the right side of the software. Click "Colorize" and select either the "Bright" or "Soft" model.
Adjust Settings and Export
Fine-tune the video and export parameters. Click the "Start Processing" button in the lower right corner to export the colorized black-and-white film.
Pros
Offers two AI models for different looks.
Flexible customization for advanced users.
Cons
Skin tones can appear oversaturated.
Color distribution may be uneven.
Faces may look blurry in some cases.
Verdict: AVCLabs is best for users who want control and flexibility over the colorization process. While it provides more options than HitPaw, the results are not as consistently natural as UniFab.
For desktop users, UniFab provides the most consistent results, while HitPaw is great for beginners, and AVCLabs offers flexible modes. Depending on your needs, each tool can help you convert black and white video to color.
If you prefer not to install software, there are convenient platforms that let you convert black and white video to color online free. These tools are fast and simple, though the results may vary depending on file quality and internet speed.
Kolorize.cc is a next-gen AI colorization tool that can convert black and white video to color online free. It harnesses advanced AI technology to rediscover the dull memories in a fun and realistic way. Kolorize.cc utilizes cutting-edge AI to effortlessly transform dull and monochrome footage into vibrant, true-to-life colors. Whether you have cultural heritage videos, need to film colorization, or want to enhance historic footage, Kolorize.cc can deliver artistic results in seconds. Moreover, it adds depth and emotion using vivid colorization techniques.
We imported an 11-second, 5.6 MB MPEG-4 black-and-white video with dimensions of 1440 x 1080 to test the speed and performance of Kolorize.cc. Here’s how the whole ordeal went. It took approximately 12 seconds to upload and display on screen. The overall processing took approximately 40 seconds to generate the colorized preview. While no ‘preview’ was displayed on screen, we had to download the video to see the outcome.
The performance was actually poor. Though it produced colored results, there was nothing beyond colorization. The frames had visible distortions and noise with jitters. Plus, it deteriorated the original video quality. It produced a 768 x 576 resolution with a watermark.
Pros
The download link expires automatically in 3 days.
Offers a free version to preview the colored result and download it to share with others.
Displays the complete information of the source video content.
Allows you to access previously colorized videos with a single click.
Works on all video types, be it historical documentaries, classic films, or cultural heritage videos.
Cons
The downloaded colorized result has a ‘Kolorize Sample’ watermark.
Lengthy processing time for longer-duration videos.
Requires purchasing credits to download the full video in 4K quality.
Does not process or color multiple videos at once.
Cannot play or trim and crop the video parts manually.
Does not deliver promised results (said 768 x 768 but generated 768 x 576 resolution).
Uses an expensive credit-based pricing that can surpass your budget to colorize multiple videos.
Works only with an active/stable internet connection to operate smoothly across all platforms and devices.
HDconvert lets you turn black and white video into color online free with AI-powered precision. This web-based tool makes it easy to bring old footage back to life in vibrant color, all without software downloads. Just upload your video, choose your settings, and watch as HDconvert restores your grayscale clips with stunning clarity and natural hues.
Next, we tested the speed and performance of HDconvert’s free version. We took the same black and white full HD video. The upload speed was quick enough, taking less than a second to complete. Considering the processing time, it can vary for different users depending on the extent of manual adjustments. Still, it took over 30 seconds to generate the colorized results.
However, considering the tool’s performance, HDconvert stood below average. Undoubtedly, the video clip was colorized. But the colors lacked a modern appeal. Instead, it blended warm and cool colors, displaying the tints of orange, blue, and yellow in each frame.
Pros
Fast, convenient browser-based use.
No installation needed.
Affordable short-term plans.
Cons
Colors may look dull or grayish.
Limited accuracy in complex scenes.
File size restrictions.
Verdict: HDconvert is a good choice for quick, casual projects. However, if you need higher-quality results, desktop software like UniFab is a better option.
Many users opt for ai4video.co to turn black and white video into color online free. It saves users from the hassle of a formal software download by enabling them to perform operations in the cloud. The safe and convenient colorization tool requires no software or plug-ins. So, it is a reliable colorize video online tool for those without video editing experience. While the colorization process is straightforward, the end results may not meet your expectations. They may not align with the outcomes of advanced or specialized colorization tools. Furthermore, it lacks the fine-tuning and editing options available in professional software.
We took the same video as earlier to assess the speed and performance of this online tool. Surprisingly, the upload speed was quick, taking less than a second. However, we had to wait for approximately 60 seconds for the processing to complete. That was quite long considering the video’s length. Thereafter, it took an additional 15 to 18 seconds to download the colorized video clip.
Overall, the performance was satisfactory. Much better than other tools that colorize black and white video online free. The visual quality suffered due to imbalanced saturation and lighting. Even the colors weren’t accurate. They displayed an orange tone throughout the clip.
Pros
Supports several formats, such as MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, and GIF formats.
Offers several output parameters to get a tailored output.
Displays the preview before downloading.
No watermarks on the colorized output.
Does not alter the resolution or cut the video on its own.
Displays all the earlier tasks (from the last 7 days).
Does not require video editing skills to colorize the videos.
Cons
Colorization can’t proceed without signing up and receiving credits.
Restricts the maximum file size to 2GB.
The free version offers only 20 credits.
Lengthy processing time, took approximately 60 seconds to generate an 11-second colorized video.
Lacks advanced AI technology, requiring manual effort and intervention.
Requires a stable internet connection to colorize black and white video online free.
The output quality does not match the quality of specialized software.
Struggles with handling complex video scenes and intricate details effectively.
editingtools.io is a reliable way to colorize video using cutting-edge AI technology online. It helps reimagine the past. And turn black and white videos into color, bringing back the video elements to life. Its AI algorithms have been trained on millions of real photos to understand the range of colors and produce high-quality, realistic frames. However, you may lack a user-friendly interface, and it is not a tool that can AI colorize video online free. Moreover, you may need to wait several hours to view the output, as the processing is pretty slow.
Lastly, we had the opportunity to test editingtools.io. As it offers only 8 free credits, we took the same video and trimmed it to a 6-second length, resulting in a file size of 2.3 MB. It took approximately 6 to 8 seconds to upload the clip into the interface.
To render a standard resolution, it takes 6 AI credits, and 12 AI credits to render high resolution quality, with an estimated time of approximately 5 minutes. Selecting the standard resolution quality, the processing time took nearly 2.5 minutes. That was too long, considering it was only a 5-second clip. Considering the performance, editingtools.io did fairly well to colorize video online. The best part was that the output did not have any watermark.
Pros
Supports video formats of MOV, MP4, MPEG, AVI, WMA, M4A, and MXF.
Drag and drop functionality to select the desired black and white video file to colorize.
Offers bulk video processing.
The colorized output does not have a watermark.
Besides video colorization, editing.io offers other tools for photo customization and audio editing.
Cons
Only colorize real photos and film footage, doesn't work with videos of drawings and animations.
Limits the video file size to 2GB and a 20-minute input file upload size.
Requires signing up and creating an account to proceed with colorization.
Very expensive subscription fee, and the pricing lacks transparency, as you're required to contact the company for a customized quote.
Lengthy processing time (took 2.5 minutes to process a 5-second clip).
No preview available before downloading the final result.
The colored quality is nowhere near pro-grade software.
After testing both desktop software and online AI colorizers, it became clear that each tool serves different purposes. Desktop programs often focus on higher precision and stability, while online tools prioritize convenience and quick access. However, the real question remains — which one actually delivers the best visual quality when turning black and white video into color?
After testing both desktop software and online AI colorizers, we wanted to see how they perform under the same conditions. To keep the comparison fair, we used identical black-and-white footage—same resolution, lighting, and clip length—for every tool.
This consistent testing setup revealed clear differences in color accuracy, tone stability, and processing speed. The following sections break down how UniFab compares against other desktop and online colorization tools—and why it stands out as the most reliable solution for turning black and white video into color.
| Tool | Platform | Price | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| UniFab Video Colorizer AI | Desktop (Windows & macOS) | $104.99 (Lifetime) | High-quality, professional results | Multi-Scene Colorization, 4 color styles, fast & accurate, Easy to use, one-click colorization | Requires installation |
| HitPaw Video Enhancer | Desktop (Windows & macOS) | $349.99 (Lifetime) | Beginners who want quick setup | Easy to use, one-click colorization | Colors may look less vibrant in complex scenes |
| AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI | Desktop (Windows & macOS) | $299.90 (Lifetime) | Users wanting customization | Bright/Soft models, flexible settings | Skin tones may appear oversaturated |
Compared to UniFab, the video processed by Hitpaw exhibits noticeable color flickering, resulting in uneven overall color effects. This is particularly evident when objects are in motion, causing more pronounced color changes and leading to poor color stability in the footage, which affects the viewing experience.
Compared to UniFab, AVCLabs may experience some degree of oversaturation during coloring, resulting in color distortion in the image and an overall unsatisfactory effect.
You have seen the detailed performance and speed test of all the tools that colorize video online free. Here’s a glimpse of all these tools to bring out the differences in common parameters. Let’s look.
| Colorizer Tools | Upload/Process Time | Output Resolution | Watermark | Preview Available |
| UniFab Video Colorizer AI | Upload: ~2 sec Process: ~4 - 5 sec | Original or enhanced | No | Yes |
| Kolorize.cc | Upload: ~12 sec Process: ~40 sec | 768 × 576 (downscaled) | Yes | No |
| Ai4video.co | Upload: <1 sec Process: ~60 sec | Original (no change) | No | Yes |
| HDconvert | Upload: <1 sec Process: ~30 sec | 960 x 720 (downscaled) | Yes | No |
| editingtools.io | Upload: ~6 - 8 sec Process: ~2.5 min (6 sec clip) | Standard (user selected) | No | No |
If your goal is to achieve the highest-quality black and white to color video conversion, UniFab is the clear winner.
Even though modern AI tools make it easy to turn black and white video into color, you may still run into some challenges. Here are the most common issues users face—and practical ways to fix them.
1. Colors Look Oversaturated or Unnatural
2. Skin Tones Appear Distorted
3. Video Processing is Too Slow
4. Output Resolution is Low
5. Flickering or Inconsistent Colors Across Scenes
With these troubleshooting tips, you can avoid the most common frustrations and get the best possible results when using AI to convert black and white video to color.
After testing the same footage across both desktop software and online AI colorizers, the results were clear. Online tools are fast and accessible, but they often lack consistency and depth. Desktop programs offer better control and stability — yet not all perform equally well.
Among them, UniFab Video Colorizer AI delivered the most accurate colors, natural tones, and smooth transitions, outperforming every other tool we tested.
The best choice is UniFab Video Colorizer AI for its realistic results and advanced scene detection. However, HitPaw and AVCLabs are also strong desktop options depending on your needs.
You can use AI-powered tools such as UniFab for film colorization. Simply upload your video, choose the colorization option, and let the AI automatically add color to black and white video.
Yes. AI tools are designed to handle the complex parts for you, so anyone can turn black and white video into color in a few simple steps.
To make a video fade from black-and-white to color, place the same clip on two tracks in your video editor—apply a black-and-white filter to the top track and keep the bottom track in color—then add a fade-out effect to the top track so the black-and-white gradually disappears while the color version fades in, creating a smooth transition.
You can colorize a video online free by using AI-powered tools that automatically add color to black-and-white footage. Many platforms offer free services where you upload your video, and the system processes and colorizes it without any cost or technical skills required.
To colorize a video online, simply find websites that provide colorize video online services. These websites use advanced AI algorithms to analyze black-and-white videos and turn them into color automatically, making the process quick and user-friendly.
If you want to convert black and white video to color online free, you can use specialized online tools that offer ai colorize video online free features. They enable you to turn black and white video into color online free, restoring old videos with vibrant, realistic colors easily.