The 10 Best AI Image Generators in 2024 [Free & Paid]

Summary: Check out the post and learn the best 10 AI image generators to make high-quality stock photos and customized artwork!

With the dawn of a new era in creativity and digital art, the birth of AI image generators has been revolutionizing the way we conceptualize and create visual content. From advertising campaigns to textbook illustrations, and from scientific publications to art gallery installations, AI-generated images have proliferated widely. By simply entering a text prompt, these advanced neural networks are able to visualize your description and produce stunning works of art never before possible. Here in this post, we have highlighted the top 10 best image generators to easily create visually engaging content and push the boundaries of what was once imaginable.

The 10 Best AI Image Generators at a Glance

• 1. Midjourney: Best for generating realistic and coherent AI images.
• 2. DALL-E: Best user-friendly AI image generator to create AI images.
• 3. Craiyon: Best free AI image generator able to handle negative prompts.
• 4. NightCafe: Best AI image generator to create 3D scenes.
• 5. Runway AI: Best AI image generator with a suite of integrated AI-powered apps.
• 6. Wombo Dream: Best for artists and illustrators to generate surreal images using AI.
• 7. Stable Diffusion : Best for skilled users seeking an AI image generator for large-scale projects.
• 8. Adobe Firefly: Best AI text to image tool to integrate AI-generated images into photos.
• 9. Starry AI: Best free AI image generator app on mobile phone.
• 10. Generative AI by Getty Images: Best AI image generator to generate commercially safe pictures.

What Is the AI Image Generator

An AI image generator is a sophisticated software or system that uses AI algorithms to create images. The algorithms are trained on large datasets of existing images, learning to recognize visual patterns and features, and can then generate new images by replicating the styles, objects, people, and other elements identified during training. This allows the AI picture generator to produce realistic and intricate images based on the datasets they analyzed.

There are different types of AI image generators, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), variable autoencoders (VAEs), and transformers. Each architecture has its own strengths and weaknesses that make it better suited for certain tasks. For example, GANs excel at generating highly realistic images but may lack coherence, while on the other hand, VAEs are better at learning the entire dataset distribution and generating diverse images, though the results tend to be more blurry.

There are different types of AI image generators, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), variable autoencoders (VAEs), and transformers. Each architecture has its own strengths and weaknesses that make it better suited for certain tasks. For example, GANs excel at generating highly realistic images but may lack coherence, while on the other hand, VAEs are better at learning the entire dataset distribution and generating diverse images, though the results tend to be more blurry.

10 Best AI Image Generators in 2024

1. Midjourney

Best for generating realistic and coherent AI images.

Rating: 4.6/5 by Product Hunt

Midjourney is one of the best AI image generators that use AI to create visuals based on text prompts. The allure of the AI text to image tool lies in its ability to generate images that are not only realistic and coherent but also span an array of styles, including realistic, abstract, surreal, cartoon, stylized, etc. Midjourney AI image generator is very easy to use. The user interface is simple and straightforward, and it does not require any special knowledge or training to use, making the AI image generation tool a great option for anyone who wants to create AI images and artwork, regardless of their technical expertise.

Currently, the only way to access the Midjourney AI picture generator is through its Discord bot on the official Midjourney server, yet a web interface is also in development. To generate an AI image, users use the /imagine [your desired concept]. In response, the bot generates a set of four images, allowing users to select their preferred choices.

Price: Four subscription plans start from $10/month.

Pros:

• One of the best AI picture generators that uses AI to generate realistic and coherent images.
• Highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the platform to their specific needs and requirements.

Cons:

• It can only be accessed through Discord, which can be inconvenient.
• Any images created with the AI image tool are set to be publicly visible by default.
• No free trials are available.

2. DALL-E

Best user-friendly AI image generator to create AI images.

Rating: 4.0/5 by CNET

Dall-E is another AI image generator that you can dabble in with ease. Developed by OpenAI, the groundbreaking AI text-to-image model uses advanced deep learning techniques to convert written descriptions into visual artwork. The first iteration of DALL-E was introduced on January 5, 2021. This version harnesses a variant of the GPT-3 algorithm for image generation. Following this, OpenAI launched DALL-E 2 on April 6, 2022. The enhanced version was designed to generate more realistic and high-resolution images, demonstrating an impressive ability to fuse diverse concepts, attributes, and artistic styles with ease. In September 2023, OpenAI unveiled the most recent iteration, DALL-E 3. This new model was capable of capturing "significantly more nuance and detail" compared to its forerunners.

DALL-E uses a combination of cutting-edge AI image generation technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), large language models (LLMs), and diffusion techniques. It is trained using an extensive array of text-image pairs sourced from the internet, enabling it to discern complex relationships between textual input and corresponding visual content, and effortlessly generate high-quality and realistic images.

Price: ChatGPT Plus includes DALL·E for $20/month, while API pricing starts at $0.016 per image.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly AI image generator to generate AI images.
• Capable of generating more realistic images at higher resolutions that incorporate different artistic concepts, attributes, and styles.

Cons:

• Only accepts prompts written in the English Language.
• It cannot produce accurate images when presented with descriptive prompts containing more than three objects, negation, numbers, and connected sentences.

3. Craiyon

Best free AI image generator able to handle negative prompts.

Rating: 4.7/5 by Product Hunt

For those who are reluctant to create an account when it comes to AI image generation, Craiyon is a good option to leverage. As a user-friendly free AI text to image generator that leverages the advanced DALL-E Mini technology, Craiyon offers a limited number of free image generations per prompt, providing six images without cost. Besides, the AI image tool has recently introduced the inclusion of negative prompts, providing greater flexibility for creative exploration. However, it's worth noting that the generated images may lack the level of detail and accuracy found in other AI photo generators, particularly when it comes to human figures.

Price: Free; Subscription plans start at $5/month.

Pros:

• Free and user-friendly AI image generator.
• Able to handle negative prompts when generating images using AI.

Cons:

• Supported by ads.
• Lacks in-app editing tools; slow processing.
• The images generated are less accurate than other AI picture generators.

4. NightCafe

Best AI image generator to create 3D scenes.

Rating: 4/5 by Software Advice

NightCafe is an AI image platform that allows users to easily create unique digital art and images using text prompts. The AI image generator utilizes a generative adversarial network (GAN) to produce highly detailed and realistic images based on the text descriptions provided by the user. The program is easy to use and intuitive, and even if you are not particularly tech-savvy, you should be able to navigate the site and use the AI picture generator with ease. Besides, the AI image tool houses an extensive range of artistic capabilities, from creating abstract masterpieces, and detailed portraits, to 3D scenarios, making it a perfect tool for artists, designers, and creative hobbyists alike.

Price: Free with limited features; 3 subscription plans start from $9.99/month for 100 credits.

Pros:

• Able to generate 3D scenarios.
• A variety of styles and art generation modes.
• Intuitive interface accessible for users of all levels of expertise.

Cons:

• The technical support is not as satisfactory as expected.
• More refined prompt terms are required during the AI image generation process.

5. Runway AI

Best AI image generator with a suite of integrated AI-powered apps

Rating: 4.2/5 by Business Insider

Unlike other AI image tools that focus only on image generation, Runway AI offers an all-in-one toolkit, providing a robust suite of integrated creative apps. With the ability to process large volumes of data, the platform is capable of generating high-quality images using AI technology and can create realistic images and videos from scratch using a variety of different inputs, including text prompts, images, and even real-world scenes. Besides, the AI picture generator is able to generate a diverse range of image styles and themes, from realistic portraits to abstract art and fantastical scenes. With its robust suite of integrated tools, Runway AI is a versatile and comprehensive platform for content creation.

Price: Free version with limited features; Subscription plans start from $12/month with max 5 users per workspace.

Pros:

• Easy to use; beginner-friendly.
• All-in-one AI image generators with an array of adjustable parameters and a range of styles to choose from.

Cons:

• Extra credits are required for resource-intensive image generation tasks.
• A robust computing device is required for optimal performance.

6. Wombo Dream

Best for artists and illustrators to generate surreal images using AI

Rating: 4.8/5 by Apple Store

Wombo Dream is another AI image generator that uses a combination of natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision techniques to generate highly-detailed images from text prompts. The AI image tool is trained on a large dataset of images and can generate a wide range of images, including, abstract, surreal, landscapes, portraits, objects, and scenes. Besides, featuring a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily input text prompts and generate images, the AI image generator can be accessed through a web interface, iOS and Android devices, or through APIs, making it easy to integrate into a variety of applications and platforms.

Price: Free version; Dream Premium costs $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year with higher resolution outputs and faster generation speeds.

Pros:

• The AI image tool is easy to use and requires minimal technical skills to create a music video.
• A great way to unleash creativity and generate unique content.

Cons:

• Limited controls over the AI-generated images.
• Wombo Dream is primarily designed to create abstract and unconventional images, which may not be suitable for practical use.

7. Stable Diffusion

Best for skilled users seeking an AI text to art generator for large-scale projects.

Rating: 4.4/5 by PC Guide

Leveraging advanced AI algorithms trained on a vast collection of artworks, Stable Diffusion is an open-source AI image generation app that prioritizes the production of more stable and superior quality images. The AI tool introduces a regularizing function that stabilizes the update dynamics throughout the training process, ultimately yielding output images of heightened quality and realism. Stable Diffusion AI image generator provides extensive controls over the AI-generated image, incorporating sliders to determine factors such as final image size, proximity to the given prompt, diffusion model steps, and the number of generated images, making it an optimal choice for artists looking to explore new styles and experiment with different visual effects, or generate inspiration.

Price: Free; monthly subscription plans tailored for skilled users start at $9/month.

Pros:

• Generate realistic-looking and accurate images using AI.
• An array of controls to adjust the images that the AI tool generates.
• An ideal option for large AI picture/photo/image generation projects.

Cons:

• More complex than other AI image generation models, and requires more computational resources.
• A deep learning curve is required for users.

8. Adobe Firefly

Best AI image tool to integrate AI-generated images into photos.

Rating: 4.1/5 by Creative Bloq

The birth of Adobe Firefly represents Adobe's entry into the burgeoning field of generative AI. Adobe Firefly sets itself apart from other AI image generators like Midjourney and Dall-E by being more transparent about the data used to train its AI models. The company openly states that its first beta model has been trained on a combination of Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content, and public domain content with expired copyrights.

Like its rivals, the AI image tool allows users to input requests into a text box and then generate an image accordingly. Besides, the program offers additional customization options including choices like techniques, materials, and themes, allowing users to make further tweaks and adjustments to meet their specific preferences.

Price: Free beta online; the premium plans start from 19.99/month as part of the Creative Cloud Plan.

Pros:

• An AI-generative solution to streamline repetitive and complex tasks for creators: AI image generation, video generation, text generation, and layout generation.
• User-friendly interface and a variety of customization options for image generation.

Cons:

• The tool is still in beta mode, making it less compatible with other tools.
• Lacks advanced features and stability compared to other more established AI image generation tools.

9. Starry AI

Best free AI image generator app on mobile phone

Rating: 3.3/5 by Google Play

Starry AI is a cutting-edge AI image generator that can effortlessly craft high-quality visuals with just a few taps. The AI image tool uses the latest generation methods and consistently updated models to ensure the best results. Catering to both beginners and experts, the AI image generator boasts a user-friendly interface with extensive controls, enabling users to choose from a variety of different models, aspect ratios, and styles to personalize the creations. Available on both mobile and web platforms, the AI text to image generator app ensures that users can effortlessly create art images on the go.

Price: Free but only allows up to 5 watermark-free artworks daily.

Pros:

• Clean and simple interface for both beginners and experts.
• A variety of styles to choose from to generate polished AI images.
• Offer desktop, cloud app, and mobile versions on both iOS and Android.

Cons:

• A limited number of artworks to create daily.
• Limited editing features compared with more dedicated AI image generation tools.

10. Generative AI by Getty Images

Best AI image generator to generate commercially safe pictures

Rating: 4.6/5 by MIT Technology Review

Getty Images has teamed up with Nvidia to launch Generative AI by Getty Images, a new AI image tool that allows users to create pictures using Getty's extensive library of licensed photos. The tool is trained on the Getty Images library, which includes premium content, providing users with full copyright indemnification. This means that anyone using the tool and commercially publishing the generated image will be legally protected, according to Getty.

The AI image generator comes with a remarkable ability to render realistic photos of human figures, but it comes with limitations, as prompts containing the name of an actual person are prohibited.

Price: The AI image tool is priced separately from a standard Getty Images subscription, with charges based on the volume of prompts used.

Pros:

• An ideal AI image generator to generate commercially safe pictures.
• Great at generating lifelike photos of human figures.

Cons:

• Limited controls over the image generation process.
• The overall quality is less than satisfactory compared with more specialized AI image generators.

FAQs

1. Are AI-Generated Images Copyrighted？

Under current U.S. copyright law, works created solely by artificial intelligence without any human involvement are not eligible for copyright protection. Only image works that have human authors who materially contributed to the creation can qualify for and receive copyright protections.

2. What is the Best AI Image Generator?

Choosing the best AI image generator depends on your specific requirements. Notable options include DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and tools by big names like Adobe and Getty Images. Each has its strengths and unique features, catering to different use cases. It's advisable to explore a few options based on your specific requirements to find the one that aligns best with your preferences and the type of images you aim to generate.