AI image generators are transforming the way we create visual content. These tools can turn simple text descriptions into stunning images in seconds. Whether you’re a professional designer, a social media content creator, or just someone exploring digital art, AI image generators offer powerful and accessible features for everyone. Choosing the right image generator with more emerging and evolving platforms can be daunting. In this article, we’ve tested and compared the best AI image generators of 2024 to help you decide which one fits your needs.
What is an AI Image Generator?
AI image generators use neural networks trained on vast datasets to interpret text descriptions (prompts) and transform them into visual creations. These versatile tools can generate anything from abstract art to photorealistic images of objects, people, and landscapes. Their use cases are diverse, from creating brand assets and social media content to personal projects like greeting cards or wallpapers.
Since the launch of DALL·E 2, the first mainstream AI image generator, many competitors have emerged, offering models that rival or surpass their predecessors.
How I Compared These AI Image Generators
The main criterion for this comparison was the quality of the generated images. To ensure consistency, I used the same prompt on all platforms: “A bright blue butterfly flying over a field of wildflowers, with a clear sky in the background.” This helped assess each image’s detail, depth, and overall style, including textures and shadows.
Additionally, I considered other factors such as generation speed, ease of use, and customization options to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of each tool.
The Best AI Image Generators of 2024
PicTools.AI
PicTools.AI is an intuitive platform for generating images from text. It delivers high-quality results that surpass other popular tools. It also includes additional AI-powered editing features, such as background removal and blurring, making it an all-in-one solution for users seeking image creation and modification.
Pros:
- High-quality images surpass other top tools.
- User-friendly platform suitable for both beginners and experienced users.
- A wide range of visual styles is available to customize images.
- Allows adjusting the aspect ratio for different formats.
- Integrated AI tools for background removal and blurring.
Cons:
- Only available as a web platform, though adaptable to all devices.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: 2 credits/images.
- Pro Subscription: Starts at $9/month (40 credits/month).
- Pay As You Go: Starts at $3.49 (10 credits).
MidJourney
MidJourney produces highly detailed images, from concept art to photorealistic visuals. It is perfect for artists and designers seeking a powerful project tool. Users can create pictures through Discord or the web platform.
Pros:
- Extraordinarily detailed and photorealistic images.
- Great control over visual styles and parameters.
- Active Discord community for sharing ideas.
- Wide range of visual styles.
Cons:
- No free version is available.
- The initial learning curve when using Discord.
Pricing:
- Subscription: Starts at $10/month (basic plan, 200 images/month).
Adobe Firefly
Part of Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Firefly is designed for creatives looking to generate high-quality images from text. It integrates seamlessly with other Adobe tools, making it a top choice for design professionals.
Pros:
- Full integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Advanced tools like Generative Fill.
- High-quality generated images.
Cons:
- The free plan includes watermarks on images.
- It’s not as powerful as MidJourney in some areas of quality.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: 25 credits/month with watermarks.
- Subscription: Starts at $4.99/month (100 credits/month).
Deep Dream Generator
Deep Dream Generator uses deep neural networks to transform images into surreal artwork. With multiple style modes and customization options, it is perfect for users exploring abstract and creative art.
Pros:
- Unique and creative results.
- Multiple style customization options.
- Active community for sharing and exploring artworks.
Cons:
- Results can be unpredictable.
- Subscription-based model.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: 50 images/day.
- Subscription: Starts at $19/month (advanced plan).
DALL·E 3
Developed by OpenAI, DALL·E 3 is one of the most advanced tools for generating images from text. It produces detailed and complex images and integrates with ChatGPT, making it easy to use.
Pros:
- High-quality, detailed images.
- Access via ChatGPT Plus.
- Easy integration with other platforms.
Cons:
- Free access is limited to 2 images/day.
- Limited creative control over certain aspects.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: 2 images/day.
- Subscription: $20/month with ChatGPT Plus (unlimited access).
Craiyon
Formerly known as DALL·E Mini, Craiyon is a free tool for generating images from text. It is easy to use and generates multiple images per prompt, although it has some quality limitations.
Pros:
- Completely free with unlimited image generation.
- Easy for beginners to use.
- Generates nine images per prompt.
Cons:
- Lower image quality compared to other platforms.
- Lower image resolution for the free version.
- The website displays too many ads in the free version.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Unlimited images with watermarks.
- Subscription: Starts at $12/month (no watermarks).
Dream by WOMBO
Dream by WOMBO is a mobile-friendly app known for its simplicity and fast image generation. It offers multiple visual styles and is popular among mobile users for quick, creative artwork generation.
Pros:
- Easy to use, especially on mobile devices.
- Various visual styles for customizing images.
- Fast image generation.
Cons:
- Limited control over final results.
- Inconsistent quality in some cases.
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Limited styles and lower resolution.
- Subscription: Starts at $9.99/month.
Comparison Table of the Best AI Image Generators of 2024
When choosing an AI image generator, consider not just the quality of the images but also factors like pricing, the speed of results, and the tool’s accessibility. Some platforms are perfect for users looking for quick, free results, while others offer more advanced features and customization options at a subscription cost.
| AI Image Generator | Minimum Price | Image Quality | Accessibility | Output Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PicTools.AI | $9/month | Very high | Web | Fast |
| MidJourney | $10/month | Very high | Web and Discord | Fast |
| Adobe Firefly | $4.99/month | High | Web and App | Fast |
| Deep Dream Generator | $19/month | Moderate | Web | Moderate |
| Craiyon | Free | Low in the free version | Web | Slow |
| DALL·E 3 | $20/month | Very high | Web and ChatGPT | Fast |
| Dream by WOMBO | $9.99/month | High | Web and App | Fast |
How to Use AI Image Generators
Using AI image generators is surprisingly easy, even if you have no prior experience with these tools. Most platforms are designed to be intuitive, allowing users, from beginners to professionals, to achieve impressive results in just a few steps. Below is an essential guide to help you get started.
Access the Platform
First, access your chosen image generator. Most tools, like PicTools.AI, MidJourney, or Adobe Firefly, are available through a website or app. Some, like MidJourney, require you to join their Discord server to generate images, while others, like DALL·E 3, can be used directly via the web or platforms like ChatGPT.
Create an Account (if required)
Depending on the platform, you may need to create an account to unlock all the features. Some platforms, like Craiyon, don’t require registration, but others, like Adobe Firefly, offer advanced features only to registered or premium users.
Write Your “Prompt”
The key to any AI image generator is the prompt or description you provide the model. The more detailed and clear your description, the better the results. For example, instead of writing “a landscape,” be more specific: “A mountainous landscape at sunset, with a winding river and warm colors in the sky.”
Select Style and Other Parameters
Many platforms allow you to adjust the image’s visual style and aspect ratio. For instance, on PicTools.AI, you can choose between surrealistic, game character, or realistic portrait styles and adjust the ratio to 1:1, 16:9, etc., depending on your needs (for social media, presentations, etc.).
Generate and Download Your Image
Once you’ve provided your prompt and adjusted the necessary parameters, click the generate button. Your image will be ready in seconds or minutes, depending on the tool. Tools like Craiyon offer free images with watermarks, while premium versions provide high-quality, watermark-free images.
Which AI Image Generator Is Right for You?
Choosing the right AI image generator depends on several factors, such as your needs, the type of projects you’re working on, and your budget. Here are some recommendations based on different use cases.
Personal or Casual Use
If you want to generate images for fun, personal projects, or social media, PicTools.AI, Craiyon, or Dream by WOMBO are great options. These tools let you experiment with various visual styles without significant investment. PicTools.AI offers a free plan limited to 3 high-quality images per month, perfect for users looking to test its features.
Creative or Artistic Projects
For those who want to create more elaborate or unique digital art, MidJourney is an excellent choice. Its ability to generate photorealistic or stylized images and its active Discord community make it a powerful tool for artists and designers.
Business and Marketing
If you want to use images for branding, marketing, or commercial projects, PicTools.AI is a standout. It generates high-quality pictures and offers integrated editing tools like background removal and blurring, saving time and effort in creating visual content for professional campaigns.
Professional Design Use
If you already work with Adobe tools, Adobe Firefly integrates seamlessly with the Creative Cloud suite, allowing an easy transition between image creation and editing in Photoshop or Illustrator. This makes it ideal for graphic designers looking to optimize their workflow.
High Customization and Abstract Art
For users seeking high customization in artistic styles or abstract and surreal image creation, Deep Dream Generator is a good option. Its artistic modes allow experimentation with unique visual styles that defy convention.
High-Quality Images Without Spending Much
PicTools.AI and DALL·E 3 from OpenAI are standout choices if you need to balance quality and cost. PicTools.AI offers a free plan and affordable pay-as-you-go options, making it ideal for users needing quality images in limited quantities without breaking the bank. DALL·E 3 offers a limited free plan and a ChatGPT Plus subscription for unlimited image generation.
What Are AI Image Generators Capable Of?
AI image generators have advanced significantly in recent years, and their capabilities extend far beyond creating images from text descriptions. Here are some of the key achievements and applications of these tools.
Personalized Art Styles
Many generators allow you to apply specific art styles to images, such as realism, surrealism, or abstract designs. Some can even mimic the famous styles of renowned painters.
Creating Complex Characters and Scenes
AI generators can create detailed characters, fantastical scenes, and imaginary worlds, making them valuable tools for artists and visual content creators, such as video game designers and filmmakers.
Image Modification and Touch-Ups
Tools like Adobe Firefly generate images from scratch and let you edit existing ones. Adding or removing elements, modifying details, or changing styles makes visual customization easier.
Use in Marketing and Social Media
These generators are perfect for creating unique and eye-catching images for social media posts, ads, and marketing campaigns. They reduce the need to hire graphic designers and speed up content creation.
Commercial Art and Custom Products
AI tools let users create high-quality custom works without advanced design skills, whether for digital art, merchandise, or product designs.
Branding and Business Applications
AI generators are also used to create logos, visual identities, and other brand assets that cater to a company’s needs, helping to elevate their professional image without expensive agencies.
What Is the Future of AI Image Generators?
The future of AI image generators is exciting and transformative, with multiple advancements already underway. As technology evolves, these tools will become more powerful, accessible, and sophisticated, further expanding their range of applications. Here are some trends and advancements we can expect.
Improved Quality and Precision
As AI models are trained with more data and improve their ability to understand text descriptions, their images will become even more detailed and precise. Advances in neural networks like DALL·E 3 and Google’s Imagen are already showing significant improvements in rendering complex objects like human hands and refined textures. In the future, we can expect AI-generated images to be nearly indistinguishable from real photographs.
Integration of 3D and Video
One of the next frontiers is the leap from 2D images to generating 3D objects and videos. Some platforms, like Stability AI, are already exploring the creation of 3D images and videos from text, revolutionizing industries like product design, animation, and film. These tools could generate entire movie scenes or video game environments from simple text descriptions, accelerating creative processes.
Real-Time and Personalized Generation
With the increase in computing power and the development of faster algorithms, AI generators can create images even faster, approaching real-time generation. This will be especially useful for interactive applications like video games and virtual reality, where users can see dynamically generated images or scenes based on their actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AI image generators work?
AI image generators convert text into images using neural networks trained on millions of images. These models interpret the descriptions in text form and generate images based on those learned patterns. Platforms like DALL·E 3 and MidJourney are known for producing detailed and high-quality photos from complex prompts.
Do I need to pay to use AI image generators?
It depends on the platform. Tools like PicTools.AI and Crayon offer free versions with some limitations. Still, platforms like MidJourney and Adobe Firefly require subscriptions to fully access their features and generate high-resolution, watermark-free images.
Can I use AI-generated images for commercial projects?
Many platforms, like Adobe Firefly and PicTools.AI, allow commercial use of their AI-generated images. However, it’s important to always review the terms of service for each platform to ensure no restrictions on how the photos can be used.
How long does it take to generate an image with AI?
The time to generate an image depends on the platform and the complexity of the request. Some tools, like DALL·E 3 and PicTools.AI, create images in seconds, while others, like Craiyon, may take longer, especially in their free versions, depending on traffic and complexity.
What types of images can be generated with AI?
AI image generators can produce various images, from photorealistic portraits to abstract art. Platforms like PicTools.AI and MidJourney offer users the flexibility to create landscapes, character designs, artistic scenes, and even game assets, catering to diverse creative needs.
