Topaz Video Pricing 2026: What Unlimited Local Rendering Really Costs
Topaz Video is not priced like a per-generation video model. Its desktop subscription includes unlimited local rendering, while cloud rendering consumes credits according to model, resolution, frame rate and clip length. The useful question is whether your hardware and workload justify a fixed subscription.
As checked September 26, 2026, Topaz lists Personal at $299 billed annually (shown as $25/month), $39/month billed monthly for a 12-month term, or $59/month on its monthly option. Personal includes unlimited local rendering and 25 cloud credits each month. Prices exclude applicable taxes; confirm the billing term and any current offer at checkout. (Topaz Video pricing)
Current desktop plans
| Plan | Published price | Local rendering | Cloud video credits | Commercial terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal, annual prepaid | $299/year ($24.92/month equivalent) | Unlimited | 25/month | Limited commercial use; Topaz states use for organizations under $1M annual revenue |
| Personal, annual billed monthly | $39/month for 12 months ($468 total) | Unlimited | 25/month | Same Personal terms |
| Personal, monthly | $59/month | Unlimited | 25/month | Same Personal terms |
| Pro, annual prepaid | $699/year ($58.25/month equivalent) | Unlimited | 100/month | Full commercial use; adds Pro model access and seat management |
Topaz Studio is a separate bundle: the pricing page lists $399/year prepaid or $45/month on a 12-month term, the full app collection, unlimited local rendering and 300 monthly cloud video credits. (Topaz Video pricing)
Local rendering and cloud are different meters
The subscription buys the desktop app and local processing; it is not a per-render charge. Local jobs do not draw from the cloud-credit balance. Your real costs still include the computer, electricity, storage, render time and the opportunity cost of tying up the machine.
Cloud rendering is optional for many workflows but may be required for some models or useful when hardware is limited. Topaz says cloud cost varies with resolution, frame rate, duration and model. The app shows a credit estimate before a cloud job is submitted, so there is no single official price per finished video. (Topaz cloud-rendering guide)
Personal includes 25 cloud credits per month; Pro includes 100. These reset monthly and do not roll over. The cloud guide lists a recurring 80-credit add-on at $9.99/month and a one-time 20-credit pack at $5. One-time credits do not expire. (Topaz cloud-rendering guide)
Illustrative cloud-render costs
Topaz's guide estimates a one-minute, 30-FPS video with 1080p input rendered at original resolution at about 6 credits for Tier 1, 10 for Tier 2 or Tier 3, and 31 for a Starlight model. A 4K upscale from 1080p input is estimated around 6 credits for Tier 1, 34 for Tier 2 or Tier 3, and 70 for Starlight Mini/HQ. These are estimates, not fixed prices; inspect the app estimate for the actual job. (Topaz cloud-rendering guide)
At the listed $0.125 per credit for an 80-credit recurring add-on, the approximate cloud equivalent is:
| Example | Credits | Add-on equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| One-minute 1080p original, Tier 1 | ~6 | ~$0.75 |
| One-minute 1080p original, Tier 2/3 | ~10 | ~$1.25 |
| One-minute 1080p original, Starlight | ~31 | ~$3.88 |
This is a budgeting calculation, not the invoice for a Personal subscriber: the first 25 credits are included, and add-on packs have different unit prices. Topaz says failed cloud jobs are credited back.
Is the annual subscription worthwhile?
At $299 prepaid, subscription cost alone works out to $14.95 per project at 20 projects/year, $2.99 at 100, or $0.60 at 500. This amortizes only the subscription; it does not imply equal project size or quality.
The subscription makes most sense when you use local rendering often and already have capable hardware. For occasional enhancement, compare the annual commitment with cloud use or tools already included in your editing suite. For sustained work, include the value of repeatable local processing and any hardware purchase you would otherwise make.
Topaz enhances existing footage; text-to-video products generate new scenes. They are not interchangeable jobs. For generative video budgets, see the AI video cost-per-second guide and local AI video versus cloud comparison.
Bottom line
The headline is unlimited local rendering under a subscription, not unlimited cloud processing. Personal starts at $299 prepaid yearly, with lower monthly equivalents tied to annual commitment; its cloud allowance is a separate limited meter. If cloud is central to your workflow, check the pre-render estimate. If local rendering is the main value, compare the plan with your annual project count and computer cost.
Common questions
Does Topaz charge per local render? No. Current desktop Personal and Pro plans list unlimited local rendering; cloud jobs use credits.
Do cloud credits roll over? No. Included monthly credits reset and do not roll over.
Does the legacy perpetual Video AI app include cloud credits? No. Topaz says legacy perpetual purchases do not include them. (Topaz cloud-rendering guide)
Is there a fixed cost per finished minute? No. Cloud credit use varies by input/output resolution, frame rate, duration and model; local processing has no cloud charge per minute.
Prices and terms checked September 26, 2026. Tax, checkout promotions and account terms may vary.