Tool category
Image generation
Photorealistic scenes, illustrations and typography designs from text prompts.
Image generators create finished visuals from a text description – from photorealistic scenes to illustrations. There are strong free options for first attempts; anyone who values top image quality or commercial usage rights reaches for a premium service. What matters is what each tool specialises in: some shine at photorealism, others at graphics and text in the image.
How do I choose the right tool?
- For trying out and for social media, free generators are enough.
- For commercial use, be sure to check clear licence and usage rights.
- If you need readable text in the image (posters, logos), pick a tool made for it.
- Check that you really own the image rights for your intended use.
Best free tools
Permanently usable free tier – try it at no cost.
- 1
Google Gemini (image)Google
Strong image generation & editing (incl. the “Nano Banana” models), including people editing
Photorealism, Image editing, Product shots, Sketch to image
Free (limits)Free tierOpen - 2
ChatGPT (image)OpenAI
Image generation and editing right in the chat, very good text and instruction accuracy, small free quota
Illustrations, Image editing, Infographics, Logo ideas
Free (approx. 2–3 images/day)Free tierOpen - 3
Leonardo AILeonardo
Many styles & models, canvas editor, upscaling – a generous free entry point
Game art, Concept art, Product images, Textures
Free (150 tokens/day)Free tierOpen - 4
IdeogramIdeogram
Best text-in-image rendering – ideal for lettering, posters and logos
Posters with text, Logo ideas, Typography designs, Thumbnails
Free (few credits/week)Free tierOpen - 5
Bing Image CreatorMicrosoft
Free image generation with Microsoft’s own image models directly in the browser, no subscription
Illustrations, Social graphics, Visualising ideas
Free (10 fast images/day)Free tierOpen - 6
Stable DiffusionStability AI / Community
Runs locally on your own hardware, full control, huge ecosystem (ComfyUI, LoRAs)
Unlimited images, Training custom styles, Self-managed content filters, Batch production
Free (open source, runs locally)Free tierOpen
Best premium tools
Monthly prices as entry and maximum plan (approximate).
- 1
MidjourneyMidjourney
The benchmark for aesthetics & detail, style references, editor, web interface
Campaign visuals, Moodboards, Art, Character design, Architecture visuals
From 10 $Max 120 $/moOpen - 2
ChatGPT Plus / Pro (image)OpenAI
Far more image generations, higher resolution and editing with reference images; Pro for heavy users
Product images, Consistent series, Image editing, Marketing visuals
From 20 $Max 500 $/moOpen - 3
Google AI Pro (image)Google
Gemini image models (Nano Banana) with high limits, 2K/4K output and editing with multiple reference images
Product images, Image editing, Consistent characters, Mockups
From 21,99 €Max 219,99 €/moOpen - 4
Adobe FireflyAdobe
Commercially safe images, generative fill in Photoshop, vector effects
Photo retouching, Ad creatives, Extending photos, Brand-safe assets
From approx. 11 €Max approx. 220 €/moOpen - 5
Ideogram Plus/ProIdeogram
Priority generation, higher resolutions, private mode, best typography
Posters, Branding drafts, Merch designs
From 20 $Max 60 $/moOpen - 6
Magnific (formerly Freepik AI)Freepik Company
Formerly Freepik AI Suite: over 40 image, video and audio models under one roof plus a large stock library
Model comparison, Combining stock + AI, Production at scale
From 20 $Max 110 $/moOpen
Matching guides & automations
Create product photos and shop content for an online store
From clean product images through descriptions to finished social ads.
Develop a complete brand identity
From naming through logo and colour/font system to finished brand guidelines.
Start an Etsy / print-on-demand shop
From the niche through designs and mockups to product texts and a finished listing.
Redesign a room with AI interior ideas
From a photo through concrete furnishing suggestions to a shopping list.