The advancements in artificial intelligence are progressing at a tremendous pace, introducing innovative solutions, many of which we have already adopted as part of our everyday life. One of the technologies that seem destined to become an essential tool in our daily lives is the image-generating AI. These systems are capable of creating realistic images or illustrations based on written descriptions provided by users.
If you are not yet familiar with these tools or have only heard of a few, we present to you a list, organized according to our usage criteria and knowledge in the field, of the most notable image-generating AIs currently. Additionally, at the end of the article, we will provide you with some tips on how to create effective prompts to achieve the best results.
The prominence of these models has been steadily increasing and shows no signs of slowing down. Likewise, their complexity and ability to understand and execute tasks have also evolved, progressing from simple initial prototypes to models capable of delivering highly accurate results.
These artificial intelligences are capable of achieving a profound understanding of written language, generating images that align with the provided descriptions. It is a complete revolution that democratizes the creation of images and illustrations, making design accessible to everyone, regardless of their artistic skills.
Midjourney is a small independent research lab that seeks to open new paths and expand human creativity. It currently has 11 members and a set of advisors.
Initially, to use its image-generating AI, you needed to access it with a Discord account, but since August 2024, this is no longer necessary. Now, Midjourney features a very intuitive web interface.
This AI offers four subscription plans available both annually and monthly: the Basic plan for $11 per month ($9 per month with the annual plan), the Standard plan for $33 per month ($27 per month with the annual plan), the Pro plan for $66 per month ($53 per month with the annual plan), and the Mega plan for $132 per month ($106 per month with the annual plan).
Each time you input a text, four image options will be generated (whether in the Discord generator or on the web). The web version is more straightforward, as it does not require the use of commands and has also introduced some new adjustments.
In March 2025, OpenAI launched the 4o image generator, a model designed to revolutionize ChatGPT’s image-generation capabilities by replacing DALL·E 3 and offering results that are more realistic, varied, and consistent.
With the release of GPT-5 in August, this technology remains the reference graphics engine, now natively coordinated by the new multimodal model. This enables users to create images with greater detail, include text coherently, maintain consistency across variations, and manage multiple objects within a single scene.
Additionally, GPT-5 can analyze attached images and use them as context for new creations—although it will not be trained on them in real time. Thanks to its superior reasoning abilities and seamless integration of text and images, ChatGPT with GPT-5 delivers a more precise and professional visual-generation experience than its predecessors.
It is worth noting that the AI may take slightly longer to generate images—occasionally up to a minute—because the model’s “thought process” is more extensive in order to create more precise and detailed works.
Moreover, the images you generate are yours, and you do not need permission from OpenAI to print, sell, or use them. This AI is natively integrated into ChatGPT plans, merging the capabilities of both tools. However, the image-generation functions are more limited in the free version.
Nevertheless, it is also possible to access DALL·E 3 free of charge via Microsoft, as it has been integrated into Bing’s chatbot (now called Copilot).
The third tool on our list is created by Stability AI, a community composed of over 140,000 developers. Dreamstudio is based on an open-source image generation model known as Stable Diffusion.
What differentiates Dreamstudio from other image-generating AIs are two main points. The first is that everyone can access it starting with a first free trial. Once you exhaust the free images, you must pay a minimum top-up of $11 to continue using it. Similarly, the images are generated under a license that permits both commercial and non-commercial use. The second is that this is not a closed model; moreover, Stability AI encourages users to make public reviews and contribute improvements to enhance and empower the tool.
Likewise, Dreamstudio offers a wide range of parameters that you can modify to adjust the result to your liking:
However, depending on the configuration you set, this will consume more or fewer image credits. Therefore, you must pay special attention not to deplete the limit of free images.
Likewise, this AI also allows you to edit the works you generate with it or the images you upload from your device. Stability AI continues to work on Dreamstudio, releasing new models (like SDXL v1.0, currently in beta phase), and making improvements aimed at ensuring the tool continues to learn and reduces potential adverse outcomes resulting from unfortunate meanings, stigmas, or negative connotations associated with language and how we use it.
To use the image-generating AI developed by Adobe, you must meet two requirements: be over 18 years old and have an Adobe account. This tool has been trained with open-license data sets and Adobe Stock, in collaboration with NVIDIA, an American technology company specializing in the creation of graphic processing units. The fact that Firefly was designed this way would be a guarantee, in principle, to avoid issues related to copyright.
It offers a free plan and two paid plans. With the first, you will have 25 credits per month, while the paid Standard plan costs $12,29/month (or $122,98/year in the annual version) and offers 2,000 credits per month, and the Pro plan costs $36,90/month (or $369,08/year) and offers 7,000 credits per month.
Using this AI is straightforward, as you can generate images from a written description and, of course, adjust parameters such as style, color, dimensions, lighting, or image composition.
Another relevant feature of Firefly is the variety of possibilities it presents. Not only can you create works from scratch, but you also have the option to add objects or expand the image while considering the initial context, ensuring everything remains harmonious; create text effects; color variations, and more.
Furthermore, Adobe is working on new features like 3D modeling and the generation of images from personal sketches, without the need for text.
You can access Firefly from its web platform, but it is also integrated into the Adobe Express content creation beta package.
Recraft is an image creation and retouching platform founded in 2022 in the United States, which has gained popularity in recent months. Specifically, since its image-generating AI, presented under the codename Red_panda, surpassed established models like Midjourney, Black Forest Labs (Flux), or Ideogram in several battles (Arena) organized on the platform specialized in AI Artificial Analysis.
According to data from the platform itself, Recraft has over 1.5 million users from 200 countries, including designers from major companies like Netflix, Ogilvy, HubSpot, Asana, and Airbus.
This AI stands out for its high-quality and consistent results. Other noteworthy aspects of Recraft are its outstanding capabilities in text generation in images and vector art generation. Alongside this, it offers an infinite canvas and the possibility of real-time collaboration.
Recraft offers a free plan and three paid plans for $11, $30, and $53 per month. Its free version is very functional and offers 50 daily credits (generating or modifying an image costs between 1 and 2 credits, depending on the format). However, the drawback of the free plan is that the images remain under Recraft’s rights and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
To start generating images with Recraft, you must select the “Image” option. After that, you can choose to create an image or a vector, indicate what elements you want to exclude from the image, apply color palettes, determine the aspect ratio, the number of images you will create, and decide whether they will be public or private (in the free plan, they are public by default).
The creative possibilities of Recraft are not limited to its “Image” function, as its creation panel also allows you to discover many other functions. Some of these include:
Additionally, the platform also offers tutorials to learn how to use specific features or create certain types of work.
This AI was presented at the beginning of August 2024 and has been developed by a group of engineers who left StableDiffusion to found their own company, Black Forest Labs.
Flux is a set of text-to-image models developed with an open-source code and trained with a vast amount of data. Its main feature is its deep understanding of language, enabling it to interpret and understand complex descriptions and return them in the form of detailed, coherent, and photorealistic images.
In addition to its great precision in understanding and adherence to prompts, it stands out in creating higher resolution images and generating details. Likewise, Flux has three different versions based on the user’s needs: FLUX.1 [Schnell], the most basic; FLUX.1 [Dev], aimed at developers; and FLUX.1 [Pro], whose target audience is professionals.
Regarding how to use Flux, there are several ways to access this AI. Although access to Pro is restricted, you can use the Dev or Schnell versions through platforms like Fal.AI and Replicate. If you opt for a paid subscription, the cost of generating an image in Replicate with the Schnell version is less than 1 cent. Additionally, if you use Schnell through Replicate, you can use your works for commercial purposes.
You can also download Dev and Schnell from HuggingFace, where there is also an inference code on GitHub that helps developers start using the platform, and they integrate with ComfyUI.
Using it through Replicate, we encounter a creation panel similar to that of other tools in this field. It features a text area for inputting the prompt and various adjustment functions: aspect ratio, the number of images to generate (with a maximum of 4), seed, image format (webp, jpg, or png), and the quality of the generated image.
This AI distinguishes itself from others by being specialized in the insertion of text into the images it generates. In addition to creating great works of art, you can include words, phrases, or text compositions within them, enhancing creative possibilities. Furthermore, these and other capabilities have been improved with the recent release of the new version Ideogram 2.0.
To access Ideogram, you only need to register on their platform with your Google or Apple account. The tool has a free version, offering 10 credits per week, and three paid plans: Basic ($8 per month), Plus ($18 per month), and Pro ($53 per month).
Once you have registered, you will access their homepage, which displays everything you need. At the top is the expandable text bar for creating images. Below it, you will see several options that allow you to explore works generated by other users and users, as well as the “My images” section, where you can access all your creations.
When creating, you only need to input your phrase into the text bar (as with other AIs, we recommend doing so in English), choose whether or not to select one of the 5 artistic styles offered by the tool, and modify the adjustment options. However, this last part will be more or less limited depending on the plan you use.
In the free version, you can only use the magic prompt (a tool that corrects and enhances your initial prompt to achieve a variety of images), adjust the dimensions of the work, choose whether to apply a color palette and select whether to use version 1.0 or the new 2.0 of this AI.
Ideogram will generate four images for you, and you will be able to download them all.
The uniqueness of this AI is that it integrates a real-time generator through sketches and prompts. To accomplish this, the tool provides you with a canvas where you can draw, insert geometric shapes and images, upload more images from your device, and erase elements.
Krea.ai is a very intuitive AI, and its operation is not too complex, although it is true that, at first, its real-time generator may seem a little overwhelming, as it will create results while you test its different tools. However, you also have the option to use its standard generator, which works like the rest of the image AIs. A great piece of news is that, while it offers paid plans, it also has a very functional free version.
In its real-time generator, the editing options are concentrated in two toolbars on both sides of the screen and in a menu located at the bottom screen. In the right bar, you’ll find style options to apply to your work (HD, photo, cartoon, etc.). Meanwhile, on the left side, you’ll find the editing tools.
Furthermore, in its bottom menu you can access options for quality enhancement, download, dimensions, and the possibility of combining both canvases to work directly on the changing work. Additionally, in this menu, you’ll find the different creative possibilities:
To explain its editing panel, let’s focus on the Compose option, as this is the same for the Camera version. As you see in the following image, the editing panel consists of two canvases: the one on the left is where the user interacts, and the one on the right is where the AI generates the work.
The editing tools are as follows:
Sketch to Image (originally named Pikaso) is another image-generating AI that works in real-time from text, images, and sketches, similar to Krea.ai. It was developed in late 2023 by Freepik, the Spanish image and audiovisual resources bank, and it boasts a highly intuitive interface.
Its editor comprises two canvases, placed side by side. On the left canvas is where the sketch is created, and on the right one, results will be generated as you perform actions. Additional options appear when you hover your cursor over the left canvas, including the “Quick Enhance” function to boost image quality, the ability to generate variations, copy the generated image onto the sketch canvas to work over it, and a quick access to the “Reimagine” option.
Similarly, at the bottom of the screen, there is a toolbar offering selection tools, drawing, inclusion of icons and elements, uploading images, and so on. Moreover, the options on the left side of the screen provide access to other AI-generating tools from Freepik:
The only issue that might arise with Pikaso is that, as it is a real-time image generator, every variation or addition you make in your sketch will result in a new work. This means that credits will be consumed at a faster rate, which can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you have the free plan, which allows limited generations. You can monitor how many uses you have consumed through the small counter displayed at the upper right corner of the tool.
Yes, indeed, this tool is also based on the same model (Stable Diffusion) as Dreamstudio. Initially offering completely free access without the need for registration, it now requires users to create an account to use it. By default, you’ll be placed on the free plan, which provides 10 credits that reset every 24 hours. To increase the number of credits and enjoy better conditions, you can subscribe to one of the two paid plans.
Regarding its functionality, besides entering the prompt, you can select one of its over 20 styles (or none), determine the aspect ratio, and choose whether to generate one, two, or four images (the latter option is exclusive for subscribers). Like the previous tools, it is quick, creating images in a matter of seconds.
One thing to keep in mind with this AI is that it will only save the images you generate for seven days, so we recommend downloading them as soon as possible to avoid losing them.
Nightcafe was created by Angus Russell in November 2019 in Sydney, and over the years, it has been refined to have over 5 million users. Its name is derived from Vincent Van Gogh’s work, “The Night Cafe.”
In addition to generating images corresponding to a descriptive text, this tool offers the option to share them with the community, allowing you to showcase the work that Nightcafe and yourself have created.
The platform offers you 5 free credits, and each image you generate will cost you one credit. Once you have your design, you can share it so that other users can enjoy it and find inspiration.
Getting the AI to capture the ideas floating in our minds can be tricky at first, but it’s a matter of practice and enhancing our communicative skills.
The correct syntactic construction is very important. Just like we need to structure and properly organize our sentences to understand one another, achieving better results with these tools also requires this. Moreover, keep in mind that everything you don’t specify will be an element over which the AI has creative freedom. Sometimes it may prove interesting, but other times it may cause the results to be less desirable. Thus, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of what you want and how to express it.
Likewise, besides describing the elements that comprise the scene, you should also provide context and specifications regarding style, color, painting technique, etc. For instance, requesting the AI to create an image of “a yellow dragon made of clouds” is quite different from asking for “a smiling yellow dragon made of clouds floating over a cherry blossom garden. The dragon is facing forward, in the center of the image, and is fully visible. The light is warm, pastel colors, in a Pixar style, high definition.”
Additionally, remember the importance of instructing the tool on the image’s aspect ratio. Some AIs have manual options, others are less flexible in this aspect, while others may have this information signalled directly in the prompt.
Similarly, it is critical to mention that many AIs understand English better than other languages. Therefore, translating prompts can be a way to achieve more accurate results.
Finally, we would like to demonstrate how far these tools have advanced in terms of the quality of the works they generate. To illustrate this, we have taken the old cover image from this article and uploaded it to GPT4 to ask it to generate a new version with Dalle-3, featuring more detail and a more realistic style.
We provided the following instructions: “I am going to attach an image showing a small monkey seated next to a typewriter. Can you reinterpret it to create a more modern, professional, and high-quality version? I would like it to have a realistic style, appearing friendly and pleasant. Additionally, I want the paper coming out of the typewriter to show a drawing, rather than text, representing text-based image-generating AIs“.
As you can see, the result is much more professional, with more precise strokes, accurately and realistically depicting the monkey and the typewriter, adding background elements that complete the scene, and with more vibrant colors and contrasts.
If you want to learn more, remember that a reference like OpenAI once explained tips on creating the best prompts when working with this kind of tool.
Photo: generated through GPT4
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Δ