Feature
The ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to create images based on text prompts is leading to an explosion of image generators. Some come from the major AI companies that have developed large language models (LLMs). Others build on open-source models to produce their own version tuned to specific needs. Long-standing image and graphics editing companies have also added generative AI to their offerings. Here, we look at some of the top image generators in the market.
2. Midjourney
Midjourney is an AI image generator developed by a research lab in San Francisco, also called Midjourney. It is based on a large language model, which helps the app understand the request, and the diffusion model that generates the image. It is available for free, but with a daily limit of 15 images, and can be used in a browser or on a mobile phone. The company claims that its images have in some cases fooled expert photographers. It is available in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Russian.
Table of Contents
- 1. Dall-E
- 2. Midjourney
- 3. DreamStudio
- 4. Craiyon
- 5. Microsoft Image Creator
- 6. Canva AI Image Generator
- 7. Firefly
- 8. Shutterstock AI Image Generator
- 9. Jasper Art
- 10. NightCafe Creator
1. Dall-E
Dall-E-3 is OpenAI’s latest version of its image generator. It is built on top of ChatGPT, so users can have the chatbot refine their prompts or act as a partner in brainstorming. This version does a better job of paying attention to all the relevant words in the user’s request, and unlike some other image generators, it does not require them to learn prompt engineering. The software is designed to avoid harmful content and biases. It is available to purchasers of ChatGPT Plus, Team and Enterprise and is free to users of Microsoft Bing.2. Midjourney
Midjourney is an AI image generator developed by a research lab in San Francisco, also called Midjourney. It is based on a large language model, which helps the app understand the request, and the diffusion model that generates the image. It is available for free, but with a daily limit of 15 images, and can be used in a browser or on a mobile phone. The company claims that its images have in some cases fooled expert photographers. It is available in several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Russian. 3. DreamStudio
DreamStudio is the web app version of Stable Diffusion, the text-to-image model by Stability.ai. The web app is designed to give users access to the tool without having to install software, know coding or have a heavy-duty GPU. Stable Diffusion combines diffusion models, which recreate images from static, and flow matching, which speeds up the training of the models. Like others, Stability.ai says it is working hard to make sure its models are safe, continuing to work on ways to avoid their being misused. Users purchase credits to create images, with the number of credits per image varying by the settings a user chooses.4. Craiyon
Craiyon, an AI art generator by the company of the same name, was previously known as Dall-E Mini. The model will create an image in an art, photo or drawing style based on a simple prompt and also suggest its own prompts derived from the user’s input. It includes a “negative words” prompt to exclude anything a user does not want in an image, a background removal tool and the ability to upgrade an image to a higher resolution. The free version will provide nine images at a time, while a supporter subscription for $60 a year and a professional subscription for $240 a year provide faster rendering times and unlimited images with no ads or watermarks. An enterprise subscription is also available with custom pricing and custom models.5. Microsoft Image Creator
Image Creator by Microsoft Designer, which was formerly known as Bing Image Creator, is based on OpenAI’s Dall-E. It is available to users with a Microsoft account, which will store generated images for 90 days. The software supports more than 100 languages. A system of tokens, called “boosts,” are doled out on a weekly basis and allow users to get faster image generation.
See more: What Brands Need to Know About AI Image Generation Models
6. Canva AI Image Generator
Canva, an online design platform that provides templates for creating graphics, includes a range of AI image generator apps, including Magic Media’s Text to Image, Dall-E from OpenAI and Imagen from Google Cloud. The apps offer different style options and aspect ratios. The generated images can be adjusted with a variety of photo effects and filters. Safety measures include automated review of input prompts to check for terms that may generate inappropriate content. Users with a free Canva account are allowed 50 uses of Text to Image in a lifetime, while subscribers to paid plans get 500 per month. For Dall-E and Imagen, they get six free uses and 50 paid uses per month.7. Firefly
Adobe Firefly is a stand-alone generative AI web application as well as a set of tools integrated into other Adobe image applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Express and Adobe Stock. Generative Fill, for instance, is a tool that allows Photoshop users to add and remove objects, generate backgrounds and extend images. The company says it is using AI to supplement the tools that Adobe users have long been familiar with by adding the ability to generate and edit media using text. The tools are designed for still images, video and 3D images as well as components, such as brushes, vectors and textures. A free version provides 25 generative credits monthly, while a premium subscription offers 100 monthly credits for $4.99.8. Shutterstock AI Image Generator
Shutterstock, the distributor of stock photographs and images, offers a text-to-image generator for users to create their own images. They can apply various styles, including cartoon, neon and 3D. The created images become part of the Shutterstock library and can be licensed by the person who designed them, or any other customer, and used according to the terms of the specific license. Enterprise customers can also negotiate exclusive rights. The company says its image generator compensates the artists whose work was used to train the generative models, through the Shutterstock Contributor Fund.9. Jasper Art
Jasper Art is the image generator by Jasper, a company that uses generative AI to create both text and images for companies. It can be trained on a company’s brand and create output that matches the brand voice. Users can write a prompt to create the art they’re seeking or interact with Jasper Chat to request art. The company also acquired Clipdrop, an image creation and editing platform, from Stability.ai, to expand its capabilities. Jasper Art is included on the company’s subscription plans starting at $59 per month.10. NightCafe Creator
NightCafe Creator by NightCafe Studio uses diffusion technology to generate images from a text prompt and neural style transfer, an algorithm that makes an image take on the style or appearance of another image, to turn photographs into artwork. The app features a community of AI art enthusiasts who comment on each other’s creations in chat rooms. The app can be used on the web or installed on an Apple or Android phone. Users can generate unlimited thumbnail resolution images for free and earn credits through participation in the community to use for higher resolution or additional settings.
See more: Staying Human While Using Generative AI Tools for Content Marketing
