AI image generators have exploded in popularity since 2022, when DALL-E launched, showing everyone it was possible to create high-quality images using just a simple text prompt. Today, AI-generated images are everywhere—on social media, in ads, and even on billboards. They’re so common that it’s often hard to tell whether an image was created by a human or an AI.

AI-generated images are also accessible to anyone, with dozens of tools offering cutting-edge features—often for free. If you’re curious about the AI image generation trend or just want to find new tools to explore, here are the best ten tools to check out in 2025.

The best AI image generators

1. Midjourney for eye-catching results
2. Leonardo for generous free usage
3. Ideogram for accurate text in images
4. Freepik for stock-like visuals
5. Stable Diffusion for broad customization and control
6. FLUX for an open alternative to Stable Diffusion
7. Dreamina by CapCut for a mostly free, simple workflow
8. Adobe Firefly for integrating AI-generated content into existing designs
9. Playground for a user-friendly, AI-powered design space
10. Magic Hour for fast, high-quality outputs with a free tier

How Do AI Image Generators Work?

At their core, AI image generators rely on text prompts. You type a description, and the AI interprets it and creates a matching image. This is made possible by training the models on massive datasets of images and text, which teach the AI how words and visuals correlate.

Most modern AI image generators use a process called diffusion. In diffusion, the AI starts with random noise and gradually refines it, step by step, until the image aligns with your prompt. Think of it like sculpting a cloud—removing pieces until it looks like your desired shape.

While these tools are incredibly powerful, they’re not perfect. Achieving precise results often requires multiple iterations, and there are still gaps in controllability. For some professional use cases such as brand campaigns, product photos, or high-end design, hiring a designer or using stock libraries might still be the better choice. However, for nearly all other purposes, including brainstorming, rapid prototyping, or creating unique visuals, AI image generators are a great tool for the job.

This is an image that was generated Midjourney and won an award:

What makes a great AI image generator?

Ease of use.
You should be able to type a description and get an image without any complicated steps or training.

Quality and variety.
The best models produce coherent images that are aesthetic and can adapt to various styles, from realism to cartoons.

Editing options.
Some tools let you refine details or edit parts of the image either after they're generated.

Pricing or free tiers.
Ideally the tool lets you start using it for free, and only pay if you want premium features and more usage.

Community and support.
Many tools have tutorials or have communities for sharing prompts and tips, which helps new users get started.

The best AI image generators at a glance

1. Midjourney for eye-catching results

Midjourney is known for generating consistently gorgeous images.
It can produce realistic photography, fantasy illustrations, and everything in between.
People’s faces, architecture, and whimsical scenes tend to look vivid, often with fewer weird artifacts than other tools.

Midjourney pros:

• Often produces coherent results with rich detail.
• Has an active user community that shares prompts and tips.
• Offers a web-based app alongside a Discord interface, with advanced features in both.

Midjourney cons:

• You get very little generations on paid plans (only 200 images per month)
• Free trials may be suspended periodically.
• Images are publicly visible by default, which might not suit private business projects.

Midjourney pricing:

• From $10/month for ~200 images.
• Paid tiers allow commercial usage rights.
• Editing features available starting at $30/month.

2. Leonardo for generous free usage

Leonardo offers a relatively large free tier, giving users plenty of room to experiment.
It can handle both realistic and stylized prompts, though it doesn’t have as many advanced editing tools as some other apps.

Leonardo pros:

• Allows new users to try AI generation without paying upfront.
• Works well for general prompts, from fantasy themes to photo-like images.
• Simple interface that keeps things straightforward.

Leonardo cons:

• Doesn’t integrate deeply with professional design software.
• May occasionally produce artifacts or inaccuracies if prompts are complex.

Leonardo pricing:

• 150 free daily credits with limited usage (roughly 20-60 images depending on model).
• Paid plans start at $12/month for 8,500 Fast Tokens.
• Unused tokens rollover up to a limit.

3. Ideogram for accurate text in images

Ideogram specializes in rendering text.
Most diffusion-based tools distort letters or produce random characters when you request signs, labels, or typography in an image.
Ideogram’s algorithm is designed to keep text sharp and correct.

Ideogram pros:

• Handy if you need logos, signage, or images that include specific text.
• Offers a straightforward web interface with some editing functions.
• Provides a free plan for limited usage.

Ideogram cons:

• Images might not always match the photorealistic quality of other models.
• Some advanced features or high-res downloads require a subscription.
• Images you generate are public by default

Ideogram pricing:

• Limited free plan
• Starting at $8/month for paid plans (up to 1,600 images per month)
• Paid plans come with advanced editing features like Magic Fill & Extend.

4. Freepik for stock-like visuals

Freepik is known for stock images, icons, and design elements.
Its AI image generator extends that offering, allowing you to create new images that fit a commercial or “stock” aesthetic.

Freepik pros:

• Integrates with Freepik’s broader library of resources.
• Results often look like standard stock photos, which can be handy for marketing or presentation slides.
• Offers a free plan with certain limitations.

Freepik cons:

• Only most basic models available for free users.
• Might not produce advanced artistic styles available in other tools.
• May require a paid plan for large-scale usage or higher download limits.

Freepik pricing:

• Free option with limited daily images (up to 20 images)
• Paid plans start at $9/month for 7000 credits paid plans unlock higher tiers.
• Paid plans come with video generation features.

5. Stable Diffusion for broad customization and control

Stable Diffusion is open source, meaning anyone can host or customize it.
It has spurred an ecosystem of spin-off models that specialize in anime, realism, landscapes, and more.
Many platforms (NightCafe, Tensor.Art, etc.) incorporate it, each with unique twists.

Stable Diffusion pros:

• Highly flexible, with multiple fine-tuned versions for different art styles.
• Can be run locally if you have capable hardware, offering full control.
• Lots of community resources and tutorials available.

Stable Diffusion cons:

• Different hosting sites may vary in interface, pricing, and community moderation.
• Some spin-offs contain NSFW or niche content that not everyone wants to see.
• Requires hardware and basic coding/software knowledge to run locally.

Stable Diffusion pricing:

• Depends on the platform but can be free if you run it locally.
• If you want to run it locally, hardware requirements and basic software skills apply.
• Most AI image generator tools offer Stable Diffusion model options.

6. FLUX for a higher-quality alternative to Stable Diffusion

FLUX is a series of text-to-image models developed by a team formerly connected to Stability AI.
Its approach is similar, giving you open access to the model.
It’s relatively new, so not every website or service supports it yet.

FLUX pros:

• Aims to provide the same open flexibility as Stable Diffusion, sometimes with different licensing.
• Attracts artists who enjoy exploring new, evolving AI tools.
• May see more specialized fine-tuned versions in the future.

FLUX cons:

• Might not be as widely integrated or documented as Stable Diffusion yet.
• Some features or performance details are in "flux" (sorry had to) due to being new.
• Limited community building around FLUX due to hardware requirements and difficulty training.

FLUX pricing:

• Varies by the hosting platform, but free credits are often available with low-end model Schnell.
• If you want to run it locally, hardware requirements and basic software skills apply, with hardware requirements being higher than Stable Diffusion.

7. Dreamina by CapCut for a mostly free, simple workflow

Dreamina is from the creators of CapCut, a known platform for editing short videos.
Its AI image generator is easy to use, requiring minimal setup.
The free version typically covers basic usage, which might be enough for casual projects.

Dreamina pros:

• Straightforward workflow with minimal friction.
• Generous free daily usage with upgrades for extra features or more capacity.
• Has reference features that allow you to use multiple controlnets for image-to-image.

Dreamina cons:

• Doesn’t come with deep editing or brand-level design integrations.
• Can produce occasional artifacts if prompts are very detailed.
• Paid plans don't have great value compared to free plan.

Dreamina pricing:

• Mostly free for basic features with 120 free daily credits (up to 240 images)
• Starts at $15/month for paid plan (1,010 credits per month).
• Paid plans mainly increase credits but do not come with advanced features.

8. Adobe Firefly for integrating AI-generated images into existing designs

Adobe Firefly extends Adobe’s long-standing work on creative software.
You can try Firefly online or within apps like Photoshop, where it works best.
It doesn’t always outshine other tools at pure text-to-image generation, but the real advantage is how it merges with Adobe’s ecosystem.

Firefly pros:

• Ties seamlessly into Photoshop for in-painting or out-painting.
• Can handle text effects, vector recoloring, and generative fill in a single workflow.
• Familiar interface if you already use Adobe products.

Firefly cons:

• Pure text-to-image prompts may sometimes produce less polished results than Midjourney.
• Difficult to use because the product is available in multiple interfaces and often buried.
• Censored outputs means no famous figures and false positives.

Firefly pricing:

• Free for 25 credits/month
• Paid plans start at $9.99/month for 250 credits (7 day free trial).
• If you use Photoshop or Creative Cloud, you get 500 generative credits per month.

9. Playground for a user-friendly, AI-powered design space

Playground combines AI image generation with a design interface, somewhat like a next-gen layout tool.
You can arrange elements, text, and images in a single workspace, then rely on AI for quick transformations or variations.

Playground pros:

• Streamlined design environment for printing, social graphics, and more.
• Free tier available for basic usage, which might cover small personal projects.
• Paid expansions typically unlock larger image generations or advanced features.

Playground cons:

• Not as advanced as professional design software for high-end brand work.
• AI outputs may need manual tweaks for perfect results.

Playground pricing:
Free tier for casual users; paid plans for more capacity.
(If you want specifics on plan benefits, fill in placeholders as needed.)

10. Magic Hour for fast, high-quality outputs with a free tier

Magic Hour aims for speed and simplicity.
Its free tool generates images quickly and is accessible to users without specialized knowledge.
It can produce clear images, though it doesn’t have a deep suite of editing features.

Magic Hour pros:

• Straightforward user interface with minimal learning curve and rapid rendering.
• Paid plans are good value and provide 2,000 images per month or more.
• Comes with video features and other image generation features, mostly free.

Magic Hour cons:

• Lacks advanced brand control or multi-step editing.
• May occasionally show minor quirks in complex prompts.
• Currently only one model available.

Magic Hour pricing:

• Free to start with 125 free images at sign up, and 30 free daily images.
• Paid plans start at $12/month for 10,000 credits (2,000 images per month) with unlimited rollover.
• Most image and video features are free, but advanced features require a paid plan.

How to use AI image generation at work

AI image generation is changing how we create visuals in professional settings. Here are some practical ways to leverage these tools:

• Generate Hero Images for Blog Posts: Quickly create unique, eye-catching visuals that align with your content by entering a simple prompt.
• Create Social Media Posts: Experiment with stylized or trending prompts to craft engaging visuals that stand out in crowded feeds.
• Draft Slide Decks or Storyboards: Use AI-generated visuals to support presentations, pitches, or creative narratives, saving time and effort.
• Personalize Images for Customers: Incorporate brand elements or create custom scenes to enhance customer engagement and marketing campaigns.

What about the legal and ethical implications?

While AI image generators offer immense creative potential, they also raise important legal and ethical questions:

• Data Sourcing and Copyright: Many AI models are trained on vast datasets that may include copyrighted material, leading to concerns about intellectual property rights.
• Bias and Representation: AI-generated images can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in training data, making it crucial to review outputs for fairness and inclusivity.
• Evolving Legal Landscape: Ongoing lawsuits and policy changes may reshape how AI-generated content is regulated, so staying informed is essential.

The Future of AI Image Generators

AI image generation is advancing at a rapid pace, with new models, features, and applications emerging every week. All of the products continue to refine their algorithms, while open-source projects like Stable Diffusion and FLUX enable new projects that continue to push their customization and specialization. If you're a hobbyist exploring the creative use of AI or a professional who wants to get work done now, there’s probably an AI image generator tailored to your needs, and there's never been a better time to dive in.

As these tools evolve, they will likely become even more integrated into workflows, offering greater control, creativity, and accessibility. By playing with these tools now, you'll be able to start learning about their capabilities, limitations, and use cases as they continue to grow, which will help you stay ahead in this increasingly competitive yet exciting space. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me at runbo@magichour.ai. Happy to share any tips, tricks, or tutorials that have worked for me in AI image generation.