AI image generators
We put 7 AI image generators through the same test. Stable Diffusion came out on top with 5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
AI image generators we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Stable Diffusion
5/5Read our review →
Adobe Firefly
4.5/5Read our review →
Midjourney
4.5/5Read our review →
OpenAI GPT Image
4.5/5Read our review →
Hotpot.ai
3/5Read our review →
Ideogram
3/5Read our review →
Leonardo.ai
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between October 21, 2026 to October 27, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Outputs usable on the first try | Rounds of regenerating per usable result | Blind quality score (1–5) from three judges | Text, lip-sync or pronunciation errors | Time and credits per usable result, and commercial-use rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stable Diffusion | 5/5 | First-try usable 24/25 images | – | 5.0/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 12/250 checks | 7.8 min; rights 4/4 |
| Adobe Firefly | 4.5/5 | First-try usable 23/25 images | – | 4.5/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 22/250 checks | 11.6 min; rights 4/4 |
| Midjourney | 4.5/5 | First-try usable 23/25 images | – | 4.6/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 30/250 checks | 8.7 min; rights 4/4 |
| OpenAI GPT Image | 4.5/5 | First-try usable 22/25 images | – | 4.1/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 42/250 checks | 8.5 min; rights 4/4 |
| Hotpot.ai | 3/5 | First-try usable 18/25 images | – | 3.1/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 80/250 checks | 13.2 min; rights 3/4 |
| Ideogram | 3/5 | First-try usable 18/25 images | – | 3.1/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 67/250 checks | 15.4 min; rights 3/4 |
| Leonardo.ai | 2/5 | First-try usable 15/25 images | – | 1.9/5; three blind judges | Text/visual defects 105/250 checks | 17.7 min; rights 3/4 |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What AI image generators do
AI image generators create pictures from text prompts and often edit existing images, using diffusion or autoregressive models. Most now sit alongside video and design tools and are sold as subscriptions, credit packs or chatbot add-ons.
Who uses them: Marketers and social media teams, Designers and illustrators, Game and product asset creators, Small businesses making ads and posters, Hobbyists and students.
Price range: Entry paid plans run 9.99 to 20 USD a month: Adobe Standard 9.99, Midjourney Basic 10, Leonardo Apprentice 12, Ideogram Plus 20 (15 yearly), ChatGPT Plus 20. Mid tiers are 30 to 60 (Midjourney Standard 30, Leonardo Artisan 30, Ideogram Pro 60) and top tiers 100 to 200 (Midjourney Mega 120, Adobe Premium 199.99, ChatGPT Pro 100). Free options: ChatGPT (unpublished limit), Ideogram (30 credits a week, public), Leonardo (150 tokens a day, no commercial licence) and Adobe (limited daily); Midjourney has none.
What to check before you buy
Commercial-use terms and indemnification. Free plans often lack commercial rights (Leonardo free, Midjourney trials); only Adobe markets licensed training and indemnification, for eligible enterprise customers.
Copyright lawsuits and training data. Midjourney faces Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. Discovery, EVOX and an artists' class action; Adobe was criticised for AI-generated training images; Leonardo describes its training data only in general terms.
Free plan and public-by-default images. Ideogram Free is public; Midjourney has no free plan and is public unless stealth mode (Pro and Mega); Leonardo free is watermarked.
Text rendering and prompt adherence. Ideogram is built around typography; Zapier says Midjourney no longer leads on adherence or text; ChatGPT leads for editing.
Pricing model. GPU hours (Midjourney), tokens (Leonardo), credits (Ideogram, Adobe) or chat limits (ChatGPT) make like-for-like cost hard; test cost per usable image.
How we test AI image generators
The test for this category: 25 prompts covering photos, illustrations, text in images, product shots and consistent characters.
One written creative brief per category for the same made-up online store (for example 20 design jobs for logo makers, 10 video prompts for video generators, 5 scripts for voice tools). Every tool gets the identical brief and the plan that removes watermarks.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for AI image, video and audio tools.
What we measure
- Outputs usable on the first try
- Rounds of regenerating per usable result
- Blind quality score (1–5) from three judges
- Text, lip-sync or pronunciation errors
- Time and credits per usable result, and commercial-use rights
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI image generator?
Zapier picks ChatGPT overall, Midjourney for artistic results, Adobe Firefly for Photoshop work; Ideogram is called best for text and free use in other roundups.
Which AI image generator is free?
ChatGPT (unpublished limit), Ideogram (30 credits a week, public), Leonardo (150 tokens a day, not commercial) and Adobe (limited daily); Midjourney has no free plan.
Can I use AI images commercially?
Rules differ: Midjourney paid plans, Ideogram's ToS (no restriction, liability disclaimed), Leonardo paid plans only, Adobe's own models marketed commercially safe.
Are AI image generators legal to use?
Several cases are unresolved: studios v. Midjourney in discovery, Andersen summary judgment hearing set for 2027-02-17; no Firefly image suit found.
Which generator is safest for business?
Adobe markets licensed training and indemnification for eligible enterprise customers; other tools disclaim liability or did not state terms.
More in AI image and design tools
Page updated November 4, 2026.
Mia Chen
I've always loved the creative side of technology. I'm particularly interested in user experience and how small design decisions can completely change the way a platform feels.
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