DOAAdobe Firefly
Freemium
71DOA scoreDOA score: 71/100
Adobe AI trained on licensed content. Fits Photoshop, Express and Illustrator for teams already on Creative Cloud.
Where it runs: Browser · Windows · Mac
In alphabetical order · 22 tools
AI image generator: the best tools, free and paid
The best AI image generators: Midjourney, Gemini, Magnific and more, with what each does best, free version, price and licence.
Our quick pick
1
Midjourney
PaidThe highest artistic quality and the most consistent styles. Paid only: pick it if you create images often and care about the finish.
See page →2
Gemini
FreemiumThe best way to start free: create and edit images in the same chat you already use, on your phone too.
See page →3
Magnific
FreemiumSeveral image and video models in one panel, plus its upscaler. Free credits every day.
See page →All options, ranked
See more filters in AI assistants →
Canva Magic Studio
Freemium
81DOA scoreDOA score: 81/100
Graphic design for non-designers, now with image, video and presentation generation. The most practical shortcut for SMBs and students.
Where it runs: Browser · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone / iPad
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Canva Magic Studio (opens in a new tab)
Dreamina (Seedance)
Freemium
83DOA scoreDOA score: 83/100
ByteDance's app (the TikTok and CapCut company) to create video and images with its Seedance and Seedream models, among the best video models right now. It also works inside CapCut.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad
FLUX
Freemium
69DOA scoreDOA score: 69/100
Black Forest Labs image and video models. On their site you pay per generation; weights also exist for local use.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageVideo
Official site ↗ · FLUX (opens in a new tab)
Gemini
Freemium
83DOA scoreDOA score: 83/100
Google assistant integrated with Gmail, Docs, Drive and YouTube. Strong at search and Google-account context.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad · Windows
WritingResearch
Official site ↗ · Gemini (opens in a new tab)
Google Flow
Freemium
69DOA scoreDOA score: 69/100
Google creative studio for video and images. Availability and credits depend on the Google AI plan and country.
Where it runs: Browser
Higgsfield
Freemium
74DOA scoreDOA score: 74/100
AI video platform focused on cinematic camera moves, effects and short ads ready for social media.
Where it runs: Browser · iPhone / iPad
Ideogram
Freemium
74DOA scoreDOA score: 74/100
Image generator especially good at readable text in images: logos, posters and thumbnails.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Ideogram (opens in a new tab)
Krea
Freemium
66DOA scoreDOA score: 66/100
Generates and enhances images and video with several models, with real-time editing and upscaling. More of a lab than Canva, for designers who iterate.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageVideo
Official site ↗ · Krea (opens in a new tab)
Leonardo AI
Freemium
75DOA scoreDOA score: 75/100
Image studio with in-house models, canvas and inpainting. Generates assets in batches for games, social media and marketing, with no Discord needed.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Leonardo AI (opens in a new tab)
Luma Dream Machine
Paid
64DOA scoreDOA score: 64/100
Generates video and images from text or a photo, with several quality modes. Handy for short social clips; it competes with Runway and Kling.
Where it runs: Browser
Magnific
Freemium
81DOA scoreDOA score: 81/100
Spanish creative suite (formerly Freepik) bringing image, video and audio generation with many models into one place, plus its well-known upscaler.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad
Meta AI
Free
69DOA scoreDOA score: 69/100
Meta’s free assistant for questions and image generation, also inside WhatsApp and other Meta apps. A good way to try AI without paying anything.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad
WritingImage
Official site ↗ · Meta AI (opens in a new tab)
Midjourney
Paid
76DOA scoreDOA score: 76/100
Benchmark generative image tool with a cinematic look and very consistent styles. Used from the web and Discord for concept art and campaigns.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Midjourney (opens in a new tab)
Photoroom
Paid
72DOA scoreDOA score: 72/100
Removes backgrounds and adds catalogue backdrops and shadows so product photos are ready to sell. Popular with online shops and marketplaces.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Photoroom (opens in a new tab)
Picsart
Freemium
73DOA scoreDOA score: 73/100
Photo and video editor for your phone with lots of AI tools: remove backgrounds, erase objects, generate images and social templates.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad · Windows
Recraft
Freemium
71DOA scoreDOA score: 71/100
Illustrations, icons and vectors with a more consistent style than many one-off generators, keeping your brand palette. Useful for websites and decks.
Where it runs: Browser
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · Recraft (opens in a new tab)
Remini
Freemium
70DOA scoreDOA score: 70/100
Enhances blurry, pixelated or old photos and restores faces. Very popular on phones to rescue family photos.
Where it runs: Browser · Android · iPhone / iPad
remove.bg
Freemium
75DOA scoreDOA score: 75/100
Removes a photo's background in seconds: you just upload it. Still one of the best with hair and tricky edges. Owned by Canva.
Where it runs: Browser · Windows · Mac
ImageMarketing
Official site ↗ · remove.bg (opens in a new tab)
Replicate
Freemium
65DOA scoreDOA score: 65/100
Runs image, video and audio models in the cloud so you can wire them into your app with an API. Owned by Cloudflare since late 2025. A web playground lets you try them before coding.
Where it runs: Browser
Runway
Freemium
77DOA scoreDOA score: 77/100
Generative video studio. Text/image-to-video, generative editing and tools for filmmakers and marketers.
Where it runs: Browser
Topaz Gigapixel
Paid
77DOA scoreDOA score: 77/100
Topaz Labs app that enlarges photos up to 16× without losing detail. It has models for photos, faces, text and illustration, and runs on your computer or in the cloud.
Where it runs: Windows · Mac · Browser
What an AI image generator does
You describe what you want to see (the prompt) and the tool creates several options in seconds. The best ones also let you edit one area, change the background or start from your own photo.
- Illustrations and art for social media or a blog.
- Product photos and backgrounds for an online shop.
- Posters and thumbnails with readable text.
- Mock-ups to show an idea before commissioning it.
What to check before you choose
- Type of result: Midjourney and FLUX stand out for realism and style; Ideogram and Recraft for text inside the image and poster or vector designs.
- How much is free: almost all use daily or monthly credits; some add a watermark on the free plan.
- Commercial use: check the plan's licence. Adobe Firefly focuses on clearer commercial use.
- Where you use it: on mobile, look for an app (Gemini, Canva, Magnific); many are web only.
- Editing: filling or erasing parts of the image (inpainting) saves many retries.
Prices: what is free and what is paid
Most have a free plan with limited credits and paid plans to create more, faster and with commercial use. Midjourney is the key exception: it has no free plan.
| Tool | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dreamina (Seedance) | Freemium | Free daily and welcome credits. Paid plans for longer or higher-quality videos. |
| Gemini | Freemium | Free. Google AI Plus from €4.99, Pro €21.99 and Ultra from €99.99 a month (prices in Spain). |
| Canva Magic Studio | Freemium | Generous free plan. Pro unlocks full Magic Studio. |
| Magnific | Freemium | Premium €16, Premium+ €36 and Pro €88 a month (€12, €27 and €66 billed yearly). |
| Runway | Freemium | Free with 125 one-time credits. Standard $15, Pro $35 and Max $95 a month ($12, $28 and $76 billed yearly). |
| Topaz Gigapixel | Paid | Subscription: Personal from $19/month ($149/year) and Pro $499/year. |
| Midjourney | Paid | Paid only, no free plan. Basic $10, Standard $30, Pro $60 and Mega $120 a month; 20% less billed yearly. |
| Leonardo AI | Freemium | Free with 150 fast tokens a day (public creations). Essential $12, Premium $30 and Ultimate $60 a month excluding tax; up to 20% off billed yearly (the page does not make clear which billing the figure refers to). |
| remove.bg | Freemium | 1 free credit when you sign up. Personal subscription €9 a month with 40 credits (€8.10 billed yearly); Professional €39 a month with 200 credits. |
| Higgsfield | Freemium | Limited free credits. Credit-based paid plans. |
| Ideogram | Freemium | Free with weekly slow credits for eligible accounts. Plus $20 and Pro $60 a month ($15 and $42 billed yearly); Team $30 per user ($20 yearly, minimum 2). |
| Picsart | Freemium | Free app with basic features. Pro €12.99 a month (€9.16 billed yearly) and Ultra €40.99 (€32.75 billed yearly, per seat) for the AI tools. |
How to start, step by step
- Pick a tool with a free plan (Gemini, Canva or Leonardo) to try it at no cost.
- Describe the image in detail: subject, style, light, framing and colours.
- Generate several versions, keep the best and polish it with the editing tools.
- If it is for a business, check the plan's licence before publishing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI image generator?
For top artistic quality, Midjourney (paid). To start free, Gemini or Canva. For readable text inside images, Ideogram.
Is there a free AI image generator?
Yes: Gemini, Canva, Leonardo, Ideogram and Microsoft Copilot have free plans with limits.
Can I use AI images for my business?
It depends on the tool and plan. Many allow commercial use on paid plans; always check the licence before publishing.
Torn between two?
Compare them side by side with clear criteria, or answer five questions and we'll tell you which fits.