Midjourney
Midjourney, Inc.Text-to-image generator known for stylised, art-directed output
Paidtext to imageart generation
Best AI image generation tools
Models and apps that make still images.
9 tools
Adobe Firefly
AdobeAdobe's generative image, video and audio tools with commercial licensing
Free tiertext to imagegenerative fill
FLUX
Black Forest LabsImage model family from Black Forest Labs, used mainly through an API
Paidtext to imageimage editing
Ideogram
Ideogram AIImage generator that renders readable text inside pictures
Free tiertext to imagetypography
Leonardo AI
Leonardo Interactive (Canva)Image and video generation workspace with fine-tuned models and asset tools
Free tiertext to imagegame assets
Stability AI
Stability AIMaker of Stable Diffusion, with open models and a developer platform
Free tierstable diffusionopen weights
Krea AI
KreaReal-time image and video generation with live canvas control
Free tierreal time generationimage enhancement
Recraft
RecraftGenerates editable vector graphics, icons and illustrations in a brand style
Free tiervector graphicsicon design
Civitai
CivitaiCommunity hub for open image models, LoRAs and shared prompts
Free tiermodel hublora
Choosing between these
Tools in this category overlap more than their marketing suggests. The useful difference is usually not the model behind them but what they let you do around it: how much control you get over the output, how the work is organised once you have it, and whether the free level is enough for what you are doing.
Each page below lists what the tool is good at and what it is not, along with alternatives worth comparing before you commit.