AI image generators have been making waves over the last few years. If you’ve scrolled through social media, watched TV, or read a magazine, chances are you’ve seen the handiwork of these tools.
They’re everywhere, and for good reason: the technology has become incredibly sophisticated and accessible. Whether you’re looking to have fun or add AI-powered flair to your business workflows, this list of the 7 best AI image generators in 2024 will help you find the right tool for the job.
The best AI image generators
1. DALL·E 3
Pros:
- Incredibly simple to use
- Included with ChatGPT Plus, offering great value for money
Cons:
- ChatGPT controls can be inconsistent
- $20/month can be steep for casual users
DALL·E 3 stands out for its ease of use and ability to produce high-quality images with minimal effort. Accessible through ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing’s AI Copilot, this tool is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. With features like selective editing and prompt refinement, it offers a lot of flexibility.
Pricing: Included with ChatGPT Plus ($20/month); free with limited usage on Microsoft Copilot.
2. Midjourney
Pros:
- Consistently produces stunning visuals
- Offers a collaborative community for inspiration
Cons:
- Images are public by default
- Free trials are currently unavailable
Midjourney is widely regarded for its ability to create breathtaking, lifelike images. Now available through a web app and Discord, it provides robust features for blending styles and refining outputs.
Pricing: Starts at $10/month for the Basic Plan (200 images/month).
3. Ideogram
Pros:
- Excels at generating images with accurate text
- Free plan available
Cons:
- Generated images are public by default
If you need text within your AI-generated images, Ideogram is the go-to choice. It handles letters and words with unmatched precision, making it ideal for marketing and design projects.
Pricing: Free plan available; premium plans start at $8/month.
4. Stable Diffusion
Pros:
- Highly customizable and versatile
- Affordable and widely available
Cons:
- Company stability is questionable
- Requires some technical know-how
Stable Diffusion offers unparalleled customization and control, making it a favorite among AI artists and developers. Its open-source nature means you can fine-tune it for specific purposes, though this flexibility comes with a learning curve.
Pricing: Varies by platform; many offer free credits for testing.
5. FLUX.1
Pros:
- Backed by the creators of Stable Diffusion
- Open and powerful
Cons:
- Not as widely available yet
FLUX.1 is a promising newcomer in the world of AI image generation. Built by the team behind Stable Diffusion, it offers similar capabilities without the associated corporate drama.
Pricing: Free for non-commercial use; Apache 2.0 license for commercial use.
6. Adobe Firefly
Pros:
- Seamlessly integrates with Adobe tools
- Great for enhancing existing images
Cons:
- Not the best standalone text-to-image generator
Adobe Firefly shines when used in tandem with Photoshop and other Creative Cloud apps. Its ability to recolor vectors and add generative elements makes it a powerful tool for creative professionals.
Pricing: Free for 25 credits/month; plans start at $4.99/month.
7. Generative AI by Getty Images
Pros:
- Ideal for generating stock-like photos
- Comes with legal indemnity
Cons:
- Less creative than competitors
For businesses looking to avoid legal headaches, Generative AI by Getty Images is the safest bet. It specializes in creating realistic, stock-quality images that are perfect for commercial use.
Pricing: Available through iStock at $14.99 for 100 images.
How Do AI Image Generators Work?
At their core, AI image generators take a text prompt and turn it into a corresponding image. This means you can create anything from “a futuristic cityscape at sunset” to “a Renaissance-style portrait of a robot.”
These tools are trained on millions or billions of image-text pairs, allowing them to understand how to interpret your prompts and produce matching visuals.
What Makes the Best AI Image Generator?
Two years ago, AI image generators were often underwhelming. Today, they’re capable of producing realistic and visually stunning results.
To make this list, these tools had to meet several criteria, including ease of use, quality of results, and versatility. Here are the 7 Best AI Image Generator Tools in 2024.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
AI image generators are a hot topic, raising questions about copyright, artistic integrity, and bias. While these tools are incredibly powerful, it’s essential to use them responsibly. Be mindful of potential biases in AI outputs and ensure your use complies with copyright laws and ethical standards.
Take your creativity to the next level with these AI image generators. Whether you’re crafting unique visuals for social media, designing marketing materials, or just having fun, there’s a tool on this list for you.
