The 15 Best AI Image Generators
We tested the best tools with the same text-to-image prompt. What's your favorite?
Written by
Last updated
Lili Marocsik
November 21nd, 2024
The prompt was: Create an image of 2 people looking at each other, one being an AI robot, the other a woman. The background is space and the mood is friendly.
Image generators are the second most popular use case for AI, closely following LLMs. So, of course, we had to give this AI category extra time and dedication! We've tested the 15 best text-to-image generators extensively and might surprise you with our answer to “What is the best AI image generator?”
In case you haven't used AI art generators yet, here is a fair warning: they are like little time machines, all the sudden you've been prompting away for 2 hours (given the gratis plan allows it - Check out our guide). It's just a lot of fun to see what the generative AI will come up with. Most likely not exactly what you had in mind, but believe me, it's not you, that's just how these tools work.
AI image generation tools like Adobe Fireflies, Midjourney, Dreamstudio, or Leonardo.AI have been working madly on advancing their features and are clearly in the race to be the best AI image generator in 2025. But first, let's look at all AI software capable to bring your ideas to life:
Best AI Image Generator Overview
| Tool Name | Best Pro | Biggest Con | Free Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Firefly | Unique features like camera angle | ? | 100 monthly generative credits |
| Midjourney | Picture in high-resolution downloadable | Long loading times | Not Available |
| Dreamstudio | Prompt followed perfectly | Signup takes a detour | 100 Free Credits (enough for 500 images) |
| Dall E 3 | Can provide style codes | Struggles with changing perspectives | Access via Bing Chat and Microsoft Image Creator |
| Flux AI | Model understands intent very well | Hard to access currently for non-techies | 40 credits upon registration and an additional 20 credits for daily logins |
| Leonardo.AI | Training custom models | Created images are automatically public | 150 Free Tokens |
| Ideogram | Let's you choose color palette | On free plan long loading times | Limited to 10 daily credits |
| Canva | Automatically provides 4 variations | Added a comic look without being prompted to | 50 Total uses + 5GB of Cloud Storage |
| Hotpot.AI | Helpful display of styles | Resolution of free image low | Most Hotpot products offer free access for exploration. |
| Freepik | Huge variety of complementary features | Caught in a signup loop at first | 20 free credits |
| PixlR | Added different ethnicities | Prompt not followed | 250 Credits for 7 Days |
| Stable Diffusion | Have a prompt database | Long loading times | 10 credits daily, 1 per image |
| Crayion | Screenshot feature | Annoying ads | Gratis Tool |
| Piscart | Palette of tools for further editing | Didn't follow prompt | 100 MB free storage, 7 days |
| DeepAI | Gratis software | Design not even close to request | Gratis Tool |
About The Best Image Generator Comparison
To have a good comparison, we used the same rather broad text-to-image prompt for every tool:
Create an image of 2 people looking at each other, one being an AI robot, the other a woman. The background is space and the mood is friendly.
Normally we would recommend this simple text formula for input:
Style + Subject
If you have a more specific image in mind, you should add
+ Background + Color Palette + Additional Elements
But we left the style in the prompt away, because we were curious what the default style choice of each tool would be.
So you are able to directly compare for yourself, we've added all generated images below right next to the indepth assessment for each tool.
Obviously we tested the big and famous players, such as Midjourney, Dreamstudio, and Leonardo.AI, but we also wanted to showcase how the next in line AI art generators like Freepik or HotpotAI perform.
How To Choose The Best AI Image Generator?
Responsiveness: Check how well the tool listens to prompts in general. This is where the biggest difference is: Adobe Firefly will do a much better job even with a relatively open request like ours above, compared to Crayion or DeepAI.
Advanced features: Also ask yourself if you need advanced features such as character consistency or different camera angles? The top 3 players from our comparison will comply.
Public vs. Private: Do you mind if your generated images are public domain content or do they have to stay private? Flux AI and PIXLR specifically state that your pictures are yours and yours only.
Cost per generation: How expensive is it to generate an image? This is especially relevant if you want to use the software on a regular basis or for example for social media posts.
If we were only to judge by the AI-generated image and left out special features, user experience or the onboarding process, it would be an easy choice for us: We love what Dreamstudio's cyborg and lady the most. But of course, we have to make sure that the tool lets you create easily and gives you the most for your money.
One weird human bias came to light when we used text to image AI: some had a sexual touch as if that's how "friendly" was interpreted. The opposite to the famous Google AI art generator debacle: the tool was too woke to generate white vikings. Even after repeated attempts and requested exclusions of black skinned vikings (which IRL simply never existed), the tool wouldn't obey. A real shitstorm followed, so traumatic that to this day Google didn't release a new image generator.
Ok, but now it's time for you to answer the question: "What is the best AI image generator?" and compare images as you like.
Expect a big surprise at the end of this all… first place took a tool we absolutely did not expect to reign the text-to-image AI of 2024.
Also, our review contains a few affiliate marketing links. If you purchase any of the tools, we might receive a small commission.
Indepth AI Image Generator Comparison 2024
1
Adobe Firefly
IMAGE QUALITY:
5
USER EXPERIENCE:
5
SETUP:
5
GENEROSITY:
4
Who is it for?
Pros like Creative Directors or Designers who need an elaborate tool
Support
FAQ, Community, Chat, Email, or Phone
Key Features
- Generative Audio and Video
- Text To Image
- Generative Fill
- Generative Expand
- Vector Generation
- Image Generation
- Style Transfer
- Adjust style intensity
- Camera Angles
- Collage Maker
- Text Effects
- Pattern Generation
- Color Palette Creation
- Image Editing
- Template Library
- Generate own templates
- Social Media Templates
- Collaboration Tools
- Integration with Adobe Apps
- User-Friendly Interface
- Export Options
- Learning Resources
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Unique features like camera angle
- Automatically provides 4 variations
- Only tool that added an older lady (unbiased)
- Toggle for visual intensity of styles
- One-click social media repurposing
Cons:
- ?
Price Point
2
MIDJOURNEY
IMAGE QUALITY:
3
USER EXPERIENCE:
3
SETUP:
5
Who is it for?
For professional and private use
Support
Email Support
Key Features
- Character Consistency
- Instant Setup
- Unlimited Generations
- Multi-Account Management
- Image Queueing
- Real-Time Updates
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good image quality
- Easy onboarding
- Picture in high-resolution downloadable
Cons:
- Request was queued (waiting time displayed)
- Long loading times
- Watermark on generated image
Price Point
3
DreamStudio
IMAGE QUALITY:
5
USER EXPERIENCE
5
SETUP
4
GENEROSITY
4
Who is it for?
Great for content creators
Support
Contact page
Key Features
- Multi-generations
- Styles
- Canvas
- Upscaling
- Masking
- Layers
- New models
- History
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- The most beautiful design
- Only 0.91 credit for 4 images
- Image provided in high resolution (1.5MB)
- Provided 4 versions in a variety of styles
- Prompt followed perfectly (except for the space background)
Cons:
- Signup takes a detour
Price Point
4
DALL E 3
IMAGE QUALITY:
5
USER EXPERIENCE:
5
SETUP:
5
GENEROSITY:
2
Who is it for?
OpenAI plus subscribers can play around for days
Support
Help Center, Community Forum, Support Tickets, Email Support, Documentation
Key Features
- Text-to-Image Capabilities
- Advanced Image Generation
- Image-to-Image Transformations
- Style and Concept Blending
- Editable Image Attributes
- High-Resolution Outputs
- Image Editing
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good image quality
- Understands prompts quite well
- Can provide style codes
- Editing images feature
Cons:
- Struggles with changing perspectives
- No possibility to test the tool for free
Price Point
5
Flux AI
Setup/Onboarding
2
User Experience
5
Tool Performance
5
GENEROSITY
4
Who is it for?
Video creators (it also has a great clip gen)
Support
Community Support, Partner Inquiries
Key Features
- Private Image Generation
- User-friendly Interface and Collaboration
- Prompt Adherence and Quality
- Accurate Text Generation
- Human Realism
- 10x faster from idea to PCB
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great image quality
- Model understands intent very well
- Perspective well understood
Cons:
- Hard to access currently for non-techies. No direct access to an interface (but via poe.com)
Price Point
6
LEONARDO.AI
IMAGE QUALITY:
4
USER EXPERIENCE:
4
SETUP:
4
GENEROSITY:
5
Who is it for?
Social media creators, presentations, personal use
Support
Contact Page and Help Center
Key Features
- Create striking game resources
- Custom data sets
- Training custom models
- Character Reference (Consistent Characters)
- Remix images
- Multi-style reference
- Rollover Bank
- Token Accrual
- Save Tokens
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Many features
- Generous free offer
Cons:
- Designs a bit tacky
- Created images are automatically public in a free account
- Feature variety is a bit confusing
- Individuals almost kissing
Price Point
7
Ideogram
Setup/Onboarding
5
User Experience
4
Tool Performance
4
Who is it for?
Social media creators, presentations, personal use
Support
Email Support, Discord Community
Key Features
- Text-to-Image
- Realistic Image Generation
- Creative Design Capabilities
- Sets of Image Style Tags
- Adjustment of Aspect Ratio and Resolution
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good image quality
- Humans look quite good
- Let's you choose color palette
- Magic prompt feature
Cons:
- On free plan long loading times
- Few styles to choose from
Price Point
8
CANVA
IMAGE QUALITY:
4
EXPERIENCE
5
SETUP
3
GENEROSITY
5
Who is it for?
Illustrators (tends to go comic style)
Support
Help Center
Key Features
- Video Background Remover
- Thousands of free templates
- Print designs
- Stunning Charts
- Share in a click
- Millions of free assets
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Edit existing files
- Professional Styles
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Beautiful designs
- Automatically provides 4 variations
- Added different ethnicities (no racial bias)
- Wide range of other features
- Picture in high-resolution
Disadvantages:
- Added a comic look without being prompted to
Price Point
9
HOTPOT.AI
IMAGE QUALITY:
4
EXPERIENCE:
4
SETUP:
5
GENEROSITY:
5
Who is it for?
Personal Use
Support
Chatbot and Email support
Key Features
- AI Art Generator
- AI Headshot Generator
- AI Profile Picture Editor
- AI Game Tools
- AI Object Remover
- AI Sparkwriter
- AI Picture Colorizer
- AI Background Remover
- AI Picture Restorer
- AI Photo Upscaler
- AI Art Personalizer
- AI File Translator
- AI Color Generator
- Icon Resizer
- Free Icons
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Very nice design
- Helpful display of styles
- No sign-up required
Disadvantages:
- Resolution of free image low (320 KB)
Price Point
10
FREEPIK
IMAGE QUALITY:
4
EXPERIENCE:
5
SETUP:
4
GENEROSITY:
4
Who is it for?
Personal Use
Support
Freepik Support
Key Features
- Daily downloads
- Daily AI text-to-image generation
- AI Art generator with Pikaso
- Online Editor
- Vectors
- Photos
- AI images
- Icons
- Videos
- AI Background Generator
- AI Image Generator
- Image Upscaler
- Background Remover
- Photo Editor
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Nice designs
- Huge variety of complementary features
Disadvantages:
- Caught in a signup loop at first (worked eventually)
Price Point
11
PIXLR
IMAGE QUALITY:
4
EXPERIENCE:
5
SETUP:
4
GENEROSITY:
4
Who is it for?
Fans of Anime
Support
Email Support
Key Features
- Unlimited Saves
- Monthly free AI Credits
- Private mode for AI Generations
- Library of fonts
- Templates
- Elements
- Animations
- AI Face Swap
- AI Super Scale
- AI Super Sharp
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Beautiful designs
- Automatically provides 4 variations
- Added different ethnicities (no racial bias)
- Wide range of other features
- Picture in high-resolution
Disadvantages:
- Prompt not followed (showing 2 robots)
Price Point
12
Stable Diffusion
Setup/Onboarding
3
Experience
3
Tool Performance
3
Generosity
5
Who is it for?
Private Use
Support
FAQ
Key Features
- Sketch to Image
- AI Portrait Maker
- AI Clothes Changer
- Image Upscaler
- Edit Anything
- Magic Eraser
- Background Remover
- Image to Image
- Text to Image
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Wide range of styles
- Has a prompt database
Disadvantages:
- Long loading times (even for signing up)
- Settings not reacting (e.g., changing language)
- Picture only available for 7 days
- Completely missed the prompt and generated 2 cyborgs
Price Point
13
CRAYION
IMAGE QUALITY:
2
EXPERIENCE
2
SETUP
5
GENEROSITY
5
Who is it for?
No one really
Support
The tool itself
Key Features
- Unlimited images
- Without watermark
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Screenshot feature (takes pictures of all versions at once)
- No sign-up required
- Images are private
Disadvantages:
- Terrible designs
- Annoying ads
- Long loading times
Price Point
14
PISCART
IMAGE QUALITY:
1
EXPERIENCE
3
SETUP
5
GENEROSITY
3
Who is it for?
Private Use, Fans of Anime
Support
Help Center
Key Features
- Photo Editor
- AI Logo Generator
- Background Changer
- AI Enhance
- Remove Object
- Batch Editor
- Text Editor
- Collage Maker
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Palette of tools for further editing
Disadvantages:
- Didn't follow prompt, instead of robot, it added a man
Price Point
15
DeepAI
IMAGE QUALITY:
1
EXPERIENCE
1
SETUP
4
GENEROSITY
5
Who is it for?
No one really
Support
Email Support
Key Features
- Create an image from a text prompt
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Free Tool
Disadvantages:
- Design not even close to request
- Offer various picture formats, but not 1x1
- No simple photo-realistic style available
- Annoying banner ads
Price Point
FAQ Best AI Image Generators
Can I generate AI images gratis?
Also, there are various tools that offer credits or trials. We recommend Leonardo.AI and Freepik, which both have generous offers and are super easy to get started with.
How can I generate AI images?
It's very easy. Just choose a tool (you can start with a gratis plan) and turn text into a picture by following a structure like "Style + Subject". Don't expect the outcome to fit 100% perfectly right away. Just iterate on your instructions, add negatives and be aware that many tools struggle with perspective at this point. It's not you, it's the tool ;)
What is the Best AI Image Generator?
According to our test the Adobe Firefly’s AI art generator is the best tool. We’ve rated it based on tool performance, user experience, onboarding and generosity. The last point refers to the tool being very generous with its gratis plan. It also had unique features such as camera angle and lets you choose the colour palette. While Midjourney focuses more on community features, Adobe Firefly is the more serious tool for a more professional use case.
Another great image generator we haven’t reviewed yet, is from Depositphotos.
What is better Midjourney or Firefly from Adobe?
We loved Firefly to it’s super advanced extra features like camera angle or suggestion for templates.
For creative professionals Adobe is probably the better choice, but Midjourney is a great tool nonetheless.
What is better Midjourney or Dall E?
We like Midjourney a tiny bit better, but both are really great. The nice thing about Midjourney is that you can test the tool for free (currently sign up via Discord).
If you already have a ChatGPT Plus description, you can easily go with Dall E 3 and there is no need to sign up anywhere else.
Is an AI art generator and an image generator the same?
Yes, commonly both terms describe the same software. Some people would consider the new generative AI as capable of creating art. We guess it’s up to you.