Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
You can’t help but empathize with graphic designers and digital artists. While AI may eventually replace all of our jobs, AI image generation already offers extraordinary capabilities that were unimaginable a few years ago. Midjourney was one of the first AI image generators and continues to be a leading player in the field. However, the competition is quickly heating up. If you’re looking for alternative options, we have compiled a list of the best Midjourney alternatives available.
**The Best Midjourney Alternatives**
You can use the links below to directly jump to each alternative option on our list. Some of these services require a paid subscription, some are free, and others offer both tiers. We will clarify these differences for each option.
1. **Stable Diffusion**
Stable Diffusion is one of the most well-known image generators available. The best part is, it is completely free and open-source. There are two ways to use it. If you have a high-spec computer with a powerful GPU, you can download the software and use it offline. If not, there’s a web browser version that works just as well. All you have to do is visit the website and enter a prompt, making it incredibly user-friendly. We have personally compared Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, and the latter holds its own. While it still has some room for improvement in producing photorealistic images, it excels in bringing your imagination to life through visually stunning fantasy landscapes and product designs. It can also modify existing pictures, such as changing the colors of walls in a room photo.
2. **Craiyon**
Created for a coding competition, Craiyon has evolved through contributions from open-source communities. Previously known as DALL-E Mini, it operates on a smaller database than Dall-E, which can lead to less precision in generating fine details like faces. However, it is free to use and does not impose any content restrictions like some of its competitors. The platform also features a forum for users to share their creations. Craiyon is currently available as a browser version with a mobile app for Android users. It offers a limited free tier and three paid tiers that affect factors such as image generation speed, the number of images you can create, and privacy.
3. **DALL-E 3**
OpenAI gained widespread recognition with the launch of ChatGPT, but they initially launched the original DALL-E back in 2021. DALL-E 2 has been one of the most popular AI image generators recently, and DALL-E 3 was just released a few days ago. If you have an OpenAI log-in from ChatGPT, you can access a free version of DALL-E 2. ChatGPT Plus subscribers can also generate DALL-E 3 images within the ChatGPT interface. Like most image generators on this list, Dall-E 3 excels at creating images from various prompts, offering four variations of output to choose from for each prompt. While its photorealism can still be improved, it is a top-tier option and a no-brainer for ChatGPT Plus users.
4. **Wombo Dream**
Wombo, known for its app that transformed real-life photos into singing characters, now offers Dream, its AI image generation feature. Users can select from a range of art styles, from baroque to futuristic landscapes, to match their custom prompts. The process also incorporates an element of randomness, ensuring that no two artworks generated with the same prompt will be identical. The app is user-friendly and free to use, with no ads or subscriptions. It monetizes through a print-on-demand service for artwork.
5. **BlueWillow**
BlueWillow is accessible through Discord and is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to generate up to four AI images in five simple steps. The tool provides 25 free image prompts daily, giving users room to experiment with different creative ideas. Once the free credits are exhausted, users can opt for a monthly subscription ranging from $10 to $60. The platform emphasizes the importance of detailed prompts for desired output and offers a ‘getting-started’ channel on Discord for newcomers. While BlueWillow’s image generation speed is fast, the output may not always be as consistent as Midjourney.
6. **Bing Image Creator**
Microsoft has integrated a free image generator called Bing Image Creator into its Bing search engine to enhance its AI capabilities. Powered by OpenAI’s DALL-E technology, users receive 100 “boosts” upon signing in with a Microsoft account. These boosts are weekly-replenishing credits that enable rapid image generation on the user-friendly interface. While additional boosts cannot be purchased, the service remains free beyond the allocated credits and allows for an unlimited number of slower image generations. The Image Creator is accessible through its dedicated webpage and Bing Chat’s Creative mode, including on mobile devices.
7. **Adobe Firefly**
As one of the most prominent digital design suites, Adobe naturally takes the lead in AI image generation with Adobe Firefly. This AI package includes various tools, such as the text-to-image model that has become increasingly familiar, and Photo Generative Fill, which can be used to edit objects in and out of photos or create additional surroundings not present in the original image. Firefly offers a free version with 25 monthly generative credits and a premium tier for $4.99 per month, which includes 100 credits and additional features. Generative credits are also included in many Adobe Creative Cloud plans.
8. **Starryai**
Similar to Wombo Dream, Starryai allows users to input text and choose from a selection of art styles for image generation. Powered by AI models Altair and Orion, Starryai offers web and mobile app versions with over 1,000 art styles to choose from. It also includes features like Evolve and Upscale for further customization, along with a Prompt Builder that serves as a library for users to save and select multiple art styles for future projects. Users receive five free daily credits for image generation, and paid plans are available for more credits and extensive features.
**FAQs**
**Is Midjourney the best AI generator?**
This is subjective and depends on your specific needs. However, Midjourney is undoubtedly among the top AI image generators available.