Building an AI Photo Restoration Tool with Next.js

Q1Hang — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:22:07 +0000

Introduction
Hi everyone, I built AIsynapse(https://www.aisynapse.dev/) - an AI-powered photo restoration tool as a solo side project.

What It Does
The web app restores scratched, torn, and faded photos using AI models. Users can upload photos, choose from multiple restoration modes for different types of damage, and download enhanced images in seconds. Everything runs in the browser - no installation needed.

Tech Stack

Frontend/Backend: Next.js 15 with App Router
Database: PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM
Authentication: Better Auth (email + Google OAuth)
Payments: Stripe for credit packages
Storage: AWS S3 for file uploads
AI: Multiple providers for restoration quality

Business Model

I went with a credit-based pricing system:

New users get 1 free restoration
Daily login bonus credits to encourage retention
Three credit packages:
- $4.90 for 50 photos
- $9.90 for 120 photos
- $19.90 for 300 photos

Each restoration costs 10 credits, making it cost-effective for bulk restoration work.

Results
The restoration quality has been solid. Photos with scratches, tears, fading, and water damage can be restored in seconds. Multiple restoration modes let users choose the right tool for their specific type of damage.

Try It Out
Check it out at https://www.aisynapse.dev/

new users get 1 free restoration, no credit card required.

Questions? Feedback? Let me know in the comments!

DEV Community: Q1Hang

Building an AI Photo Restoration Tool with Next.js