AI image generators have been making waves over the past few years. If you’ve scrolled through social media, watched the news, or flipped through a magazine, chances are you’ve already seen AI-generated images—sometimes without even realizing it. They’re everywhere, and they’re only getting better.
If you’re curious to try them out for fun or want to add AI-powered visuals to your business workflow, this list of apps has you covered.
I’ve been following AI image generators since Google’s Deep Dream launched in 2015. Back then, they were more of a cool experiment than a practical tool. But now? The progress is incredible.
I won’t dive too deep into debates about artistic merit, whether AI is replacing artists, or the ethics of training data—those are big discussions for another time. Instead, I’ll focus on what these tools can do right now: generate stunning images from text and picture prompts with surprising accuracy.
If you haven’t played around with an AI image generator yet, I highly recommend giving it a try. Even from a technical perspective, it’s fascinating to see how far they’ve come. And whether you’re a fan or a skeptic, one thing’s for sure—AI-generated images are here to stay, and we’re only going to see more of them.
The Best AI Image Generators
- Midjourney – Best for creating artistic and creative images.
- DALL·E 3 – Great for adding AI-generated images to your existing projects.
- Ideogram – Ideal for generating images with accurate text.
- Stable Diffusion – Perfect if you want more control and customization over your AI images.
- FLUX.1 – A solid alternative to Stable Diffusion.
How do AI Image Generators Work?
AI image generators take your text prompt and do their best to turn it into a matching image. This opens up all kinds of possibilities. You can create anything from “an impressionist oil painting of a Canadian man riding a moose through a maple forest” to “a Vermeer-style painting of a fluffy Irish wolfhound enjoying a pint in a traditional pub”—or even “a photo of a donkey on the moon.”
The only real limits are your imagination, the AI’s ability to understand your prompt, and any content filters in place to prevent copyright issues, plagiarism, or inappropriate images. Some AI tools used to generate certain famous artist styles easily, but stricter filters now block prompts that mention named artists.
Most AI image generators work similarly. They’re trained on millions (or even billions) of images paired with descriptions, helping the AI learn what objects, colors, and artistic styles look like. Once trained, the AI can take almost any prompt and try to create a matching image—though getting exactly what you want can take some trial and error.
The latest AI tools use a process called diffusion to generate images. They start with a random field of noise (think TV static) and refine it step by step based on their interpretation of your prompt. It’s a bit like spotting a cloud that vaguely looks like a dog, then magically reshaping it until it looks like a real dog.
That said, AI-generated images aren’t perfect. They’re great for fun, unique, or abstract visuals, but they’re not a replacement for professional photography—at least not yet. If you need a super-specific image, hiring a photographer or using stock photos is still the better option. AI is powerful, but let’s be honest—some models still struggle with getting the right number of fingers!
What Makes the Best AI image Generator?
AI image generators have blown up in popularity over the past few years—and there’s a good reason for that. Before, they just weren’t that great. The technology behind them was impressive (at least to researchers), but the actual images? Not so much. Even when the first version of DALL·E came out in 2021, it felt more like a fun experiment than a game-changer.
But things have changed. With so many models competing, AI-generated images have gotten much better. Some can even generate small amounts of text accurately—a huge improvement. If you’re just looking for the absolute best AI image model right now, Artificial Analysis’s Image Arena is a good place to start. But honestly, at this point, the top AI tools are all excellent. What really matters now is how easy they are to use and what extra features they offer.
How I Picked the Best AI Image Generators
I set some clear rules when choosing which AI tools to include:
- Text-to-image generation was a must. Some AI apps let you upload a bunch of selfies to generate portraits, but I was looking for tools that can create any kind of image from text prompts (and, in some cases, image prompts).
- I focused on AI models themselves, not apps built on top of them. For example, NightCafe is a great AI art platform with a strong community, but it mainly lets you use existing models like Stable Diffusion, DALL·E 3, and Google Imagen rather than having its own AI model.
- Usability, customization, and results mattered most. I looked at how easy each tool is to use, what kind of controls it offers (like AI upscaling), its pricing model, and—most importantly—how good the images turn out.
I’ve been following AI image generators since the original DALL·E launch and have written about photography and digital art for over a decade. But this was the first time I tested so many AI tools side by side using the same prompts. The results were fascinating, and I’m happy to say every tool on this list has something unique to offer.
The Best AI Image Generators at a Glance
Midjourney – Best for Artistic Results
Pros:
✅ Consistently creates stunning AI-generated images
✅ Great community for inspiration
Cons:
❌ Images are public by default
❌ Free trials are currently suspended
Midjourney has long been my favorite AI image generator. While other tools have caught up in terms of quality, Midjourney still delivers some of the most visually striking and well-textured images out there. It even became the first AI tool to win an art competition!
The best part? Midjourney now has a web app, so you don’t have to rely on Discord anymore—though it’s still an option. Some advanced features, like blending multiple images, are only available on Discord for now, but the web app gives you plenty of control over your creations.
One thing to keep in mind: every image you generate is public by default on Midjourney’s Explore page. This can be great for community engagement, but if you’re creating images for business purposes, it might be a dealbreaker.
If you’re feeling lost, don’t worry! Midjourney’s help docs are excellent, walking you through everything from model selection to upscaling and personalization.
Midjourney’s free trials are currently suspended due to high demand, but they occasionally open up again for a few days. If you miss a free trial, the Basic Plan starts at $10/month, giving you around 200 images per month and commercial usage rights.
Pricing: From $10/month for ~200 images/month and commercial rights.
Also Read: What are the Differences Between ChatGPT and Bard AI?
DALL·E 3 – Best for Seamless Workflow Integration
Pros:
✅ Super easy to use
✅ Included with ChatGPT Plus, making it a great value
✅ Integrates with Zapier for automation
Cons:
❌ Controls can be hit-or-miss
❌ $20/month might feel expensive if you don’t use ChatGPT much
DALL·E 3 was one of the pioneers of AI-generated images, and while it’s taken a backseat to OpenAI’s language models, it’s still an impressive tool. If you have ChatGPT Plus ($20/month), you get unlimited access to DALL·E 3. Just describe what you want, and ChatGPT will refine the prompt and generate an image.
Editing is simple: either ask ChatGPT to tweak the image or use a selection tool to adjust specific areas. Sometimes it works like magic, other times it feels like working with an overeager intern who improvises a little too much. If you need fine-tuned control, other AI image tools might be a better fit.
Another huge perk? DALL·E 3 integrates with Zapier, so you can automate image generation for workflows like Google Forms, HubSpot, and more.
Pricing: Included with ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) and free via Microsoft Copilot.
Ideogram – Best for Generating Accurate Text
Pros:
✅ Generates some of the most accurate AI text within images
✅ Free plan available
Cons:
❌ Images are public by default
Most AI image generators struggle to render text correctly, but Ideogram has cracked the code. Its 2.0 algorithm can reliably generate text alongside images, making it a great choice for things like posters, logos, and social media graphics.
Beyond text, Ideogram is an excellent all-around AI image generator with an easy-to-use web app, an image editor, and features like batch generation (where you can upload a spreadsheet of prompts). Its quality is right up there with Midjourney.
The free plan gives you 10 credits per week, but you’ll need a paid plan ($8/month) for high-resolution downloads and priority access.
Pricing: Limited free plan; from $8/month for high-resolution downloads and 400 priority credits.
Also Read: What are the Best Free AI Tools for Beginners?
Stable Diffusion – Best for Customization & Control
Pros:
✅ Available on multiple AI art platforms
✅ Affordable and highly customizable
Cons:
❌ Stability AI (the company behind it) is facing challenges
❌ No single “easy” way to use it
Unlike other AI image generators, Stable Diffusion is open-source, meaning anyone can download and run it on their own computer. This also allows for fine-tuning and custom models for specialized use cases. Many AI-generated portraits, architectural renders, and artistic effects rely on Stable Diffusion in some form.
However, its open nature can be chaotic. Stability AI, the company behind it, has faced internal struggles, leading to uncertainty about its future. Despite this, Stable Diffusion remains a powerful tool with many community-built variations.
If you’re new to Stable Diffusion, using platforms like NightCafe, Tensor.Art, or Civitai is the easiest way to access it. Many of these offer free credits, so you can test it out before committing.
Pricing: Varies by platform; many offer free trial credits.
FLUX.1 – Best Alternative to Stable Diffusion
Pros:
✅ Created by ex-Stable Diffusion developers, minus the drama
✅ Open and powerful
Cons:
❌ Still new, so not as widely available as Stable Diffusion
As Stability AI faced turmoil, a big chunk of its research team left to start Black Forest Labs. Their first project? FLUX.1, a new AI image generator that, in my tests, outperforms Stable Diffusion.
If you’re interested in open AI image generation but don’t want the uncertainty around Stable Diffusion, FLUX.1 is worth exploring. FLUX.1 Schnell is open under an Apache 2.0 license, while the larger FLUX.1 model is free for non-commercial use.
Right now, you can try FLUX.1 through platforms like NightCafe, Tensor.Art, and Civitai.
Pricing: Varies by platform; many offer free trial credits.
Also Read: How to Use Canva AI to Design Graphics?
Other AI Image Generators Worth Trying Out
AI image generators have come a long way in the past year. Now, there are dozens of models that produce nearly the same level of quality. The seven I mentioned earlier are my top picks for most people, but a few others are worth checking out:
- Google Imagen 3 – If you’re already using Google Gemini, this should be your go-to. Google’s Imagen model is impressive and well worth a try.
- Generative AI by Getty – This tool focuses on creating commercially safe images. It’s decent, but honestly, most companies don’t seem too concerned about using images from Midjourney, Ideogram, or DALL·E.
- Leonardo.Ai – Along with its FLUX tool, Leonardo.Ai has its own Phoenix model. It’s solid, though it’s missing a few key features.
- Luma Photon – Another strong option, but I found the Dream Machine app that uses it to be a bit quirky.
- Playground – Great for design work, but since it relies heavily on templates, I felt it didn’t quite fit this list.
If you’re looking for a complete list of AI image generators—including tools built on top of the models I mentioned—I’ve got you covered. My full roundup includes over two dozen options, from AI-powered writing apps and photo editors to stock image sites. Each one approaches AI image generation differently, so if nothing on this list feels right for you, check out my guide to the best AI art generators and see what stands out!
