There are numerous AI art generators out there, but very few come close to Midjourney’s capabilities. In our step-by-step guide on how to use Midjourney, we explained how you could leverage the potential of its powerful text-to-image model. Having said that, it’s also true that Midjourney is a premium service that costs $10 per month. Yeah, Midjourney has put an end to its freemium model. So in this article, we bring you the 13 best Midjourney alternatives that are mostly free and have a powerful text-to-image model. On that note, let’s jump to the list.
Free Alternatives for Midjourney at a Glance
| Alternatives | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Stable Diffusion | Free and open-source text-to-image model. Can be installed on a local PC with 8GB VRAM. Used by websites and apps for quick image generation. Developed on Latent Diffusion Models, Eleuther AI, LAION, etc. Rendering issues for eyes, hands, and fingers. Released Stable Diffusion 2.1 and Stable Diffusion XL in Beta. | – Free and open-source – Powerful capabilities – Trained on a large dataset | – Hand and eye rendering needs improvement |
| 2. DALL-E 2 | Advanced text-to-image model by OpenAI More accurate and realistic images, 4x higher resolution Initial 15 free credits, additional credits at a cost Comprehends prompts, expands images, adds elements, and more | – Accurate and realistic visual translation – Expandable canvas for images – Built on 3.5B parameters | – A bit on the expensive side |
| 3. Leonardo.Ai | Free AI image generation integrated into Bing AI Chat Generates images with natural prompts in the Bing Chat interface Powered by OpenAI’s DALL·E model | – Well-suited for game asset generation – Impressive character portraits, personalized models | – Limited image generation capability and types |
| 4. Bing Image Creator | Free AI image generation integrated into Bing AI Chat. Generates images with natural prompts in the Bing Chat interface. Powered by OpenAI’s DALL·E model. | – Best free AI image generator – Integrated with Bing Chat | – Limited customization options |
| 5. Adobe Firefly | Creative AI model by Adobe, text-to-image tool. Generates images based on natural language prompts. Free access through beta, some features for premium members. | – In-house text-to-image model by Adobe – Promising features like image expansion and sketch-to-image – Free for now | – Still a work-in-progress |
| 6. Blue Willow | AI image generator by Fotor recreates images with text prompts Offers styles like Photography, Conceptual art, Anime, Cartoons, etc. 5 free credits, Pro plan subscription for further use | – Surprisingly good at generating human faces – Free to use; no limitations – Very fast | – Need to join a Discord server |
| 7. Fotor AI Image Generator | AI image generator by Fotor recreates images with text prompts. Offers styles like Photography, Conceptual art, Anime, Cartoons, etc. 5 free credits, Pro plan subscription for further use. | – Pretty capable AI image generator – Good for conceptual art – Further image editing | – Needs to create an account – Only 5 free credits |
| 8. Playground AI | AI image creator with Stable Diffusion and DALL-E capabilities. Generates up to 1000 images per day for free. Allows free users to create one image at a time. | – Generate 1000 images per day for free – Stable Diffusion and DALL-E are available – Pretty quick at generating images | – Some limitations on image dimensions and quality |
| 9. NightCafe | AI image generator using Stable Diffusion, a web-based service Generate up to 100 AI images per month for free Paid plan for more extensive usage | – Very capable text-to-image model – Stable Diffusion, DALL-E 2, and other models available | – Not entirely free, requires payments or social campaigns |
| 10. Lexica | Generates photorealistic images from segmentation maps Creates images from combinations of words and drawings Offers an innovative approach to AI image generation | – Effortless to use – Generate 100 images per month for free | – Limited selection of models |
| 11. GauGAN2 | Generates photorealistic images from segmentation maps. Creates images from combinations of words and drawings. Offers an innovative approach to AI image generation. | – Unique bridge between textual input and visual output | – Not a direct alternative to Midjourney |
| 12. Craiyon | Open-source AI model translating text prompts into images. Modify existing images using textual input. Offers ad-free experience and support for dark mode. | – Text to Image Generation – Image-to-Image Generation – Ad-free experience | – May not directly replicate Midjourney’s capabilities |
| 13. DiffusionBee | Enables users to run Stable Diffusion locally on M1 Mac. Simplified one-click installer with no technical dependencies. Provides localized AI generation experience. Completely free alternative. | – Streamlined experience for localized AI generation – Free to use | – Not a direct Midjourney alternative |
Sample image created by Stable Diffusion – Top Free Alternative to Midjourney
Prompt 1: Create an image of a girl delivering an address at the white house in front of the crowd.
Prompt 2:
Create an image of a girl delivering an address at the white house in front of the crowd. We should be able to identify Barack Obama, Malala, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton in the crowd.
Detailed Look at the Alternatives to Midjourrney
1. Stable Diffusion
If there is a text-to-image model that can come very close to Midjourney, then it’s Stable Diffusion. Unlike Midjourney, which is a paid and proprietary model, Stable Diffusion is a free and open-source model. Plus, it can be installed even on a local PC having at least 8GB of VRAM. Stable Diffusion is already used by many websites and apps to quickly generate images from text input.
Stable Diffusion is developed on Latent Diffusion Models, Eleuther AI, LAION, OpenCLIP, OpenAI’s ADM codebase, CompVis, and more. The company has released Stable Diffusion 2.1 in public, and recently, it also announced Stable Diffusion XL in Beta.
Stable Diffusion demo
I have used Stable Diffusion multiple times in the past, and it has been fast in generating images. While the generated image quality is still not as good as Midjourney, the latest SDXL beta is trying to bring it on par with Midjourney. One of the key issues with Stable Diffusion is that it can’t render eyes, hands, and fingers properly, making them look abnormal in human portraits. But apart from that, it’s a capable text-to-image model and you should definitely check it out.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Powerful capabilities
- Trained on a large dataset
Cons
- Hand and eye rendering still needs some work
2. DALL-E 2
If you’re on the lookout for a solid alternative to Midjourney for generating images, DALL-E 2 could be your best bet. Developed by OpenAI, the same team behind ChatGPT, DALL-E 2 is an advanced text-to-image model that has garnered attention for its impressive capabilities. While Midjourney served you well, DALL-E 2 takes it up a notch. Released in 2022, DALL-E 2 refines image generation further, producing more accurate and realistic images at a 4x higher resolution than its predecessor. Unlike Midjourney, DALL-E 2 isn’t entirely free; after the initial 15 free credits, you’ll need to consider purchasing additional credits at a cost.
The Power of DALL-E 2
One remarkable aspect of DALL-E 2 is its ability to comprehend your prompts, similar to Midjourney’s interface. It combines different concepts, styles, and attributes to create images that will astonish you. Moreover, DALL-E 2 extends its functionalities to expanding images, removing elements with the Inpainting tool, adding shadows, textures, and reflections, and more. In essence, DALL-E 2 is a formidable text-to-image model that definitely deserves your attention.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Accurate and realistic visual translation, expandable canvas for images, built on 3.5B parameters
- Cons: A bit on the expensive side
3. Leonardo.Ai
Another compelling option to consider as a Midjourney alternative is Leonardo.Ai. Leonardo AI is free and super user-friendly.
Game Asset Generation
Leonardo.Ai is particularly designed for creating game assets, spanning environments, structures, items, and more. The platform offers various artistic tools that accelerate the generation of production-ready visual assets.
Personalization and Detail
What sets Leonardo.Ai apart is its potential to create personalized AI models for your unique needs. Notably, it excels in generating human faces with exceptional clarity, making it a standout option for image creation. If you’re looking for a robust text-to-image model akin to Midjourney, Leonardo.Ai is certainly worth exploring.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Well-suited for game asset generation, impressive character portraits, potential for training personalized models
- Cons: Image generation capability and types.
4. Bing Image Creator
If you’re searching for a free alternative to Midjourney for AI image generation, look no further than Bing Image Creator. Microsoft has integrated AI image generation into Bing AI Chat. You can easily generate images with natural prompts in the Bing Chat interface. Utilizing the “Creative” mode triggers the Bing AI Image Creator, powered by OpenAI’s DALL·E model. It’s a free service available in Bing Search.
Pros:
- Best free AI image generator
- Powered by DALL·E
- Integrated with Bing Chat
Cons:
- Limited customization options
5. Adobe Firefly
In the realm of digital graphics, Adobe stands out with its suite of software. To compete with image-generation models like Midjourney, Adobe introduced Firefly, its creative AI model. While some tools are still in development, the Text to Image tool is available for free to all users. Firefly generates images based on natural language prompts, offering options for content type, color, lighting, and more. Adobe Firefly features can be accessed for free using the beta access. But some of the features are for premium members, a free 7 day trial is however available.
Pros:
- In-house text-to-image model by Adobe
- Has promising features like image expansion and sketch-to-image
- Free for now
Cons:
- Still a work-in-progress
6. Blue Willow
With over 300 million users on its Discord server, Blue Willow offers a promising free alternative to Midjourney. This AI image generator is donation-based and allows users to create logos, characters, digital artwork, and more. While not as photorealistic for human subjects, Blue Willow excels in digital art and graphics creation. Its quick image generation, despite the large user base, sets it apart.
Pros:
- Surprisingly good at generating human faces
- Free to use; no limitations
- Very fast
Cons:
- Need to join a Discord server
7. Fotor AI Image Generator
Fotor, known for its online photo editor, now offers an AI image generator. Enter text prompts to recreate images with specific details. The tool covers a range of styles including Photography, Conceptual art, Anime, Cartoons, and more. While Fotor provides 5 free credits, further use requires a Pro plan subscription ($2.66/month). It’s suitable for conceptual art and comes close to Midjourney’s quality.
Pros:
- The AI image generator is pretty capable
- Good for conceptual art
- Further image editing
Cons:
- Needs to create an account
- Only 5 free credits
8. Playground AI
Playground AI enters the scene as another noteworthy AI image creator. Boasting both Stable Diffusion and DALL-E capabilities, Playground AI has garnered attention for its remarkable offer of generating up to 1000 images per day free of charge. This abundant free capacity is a remarkable advantage for creative minds seeking to experiment with AI-generated images.
While the DALL-E model might not be accessible under the free version, Playground AI allows free users to create one image at a time. Despite some limitations on image dimensions and quality after a certain threshold, Playground AI remains an attractive choice, particularly for newcomers to the world of AI image generation.
- Generate 1000 images per day for free
- Stable Diffusion and DALL-E are available
- Pretty quick at generating images
9. NightCafe
Although NightCafe isn’t an image model itself, it offers access to a variety of text-to-image models, including Stable Diffusion, DALL-E 2, CLIP-Guided Diffusion, VQGAN+CLIP, and Style Transfer. This diversity makes it an appealing platform for those interested in exploring various artistic styles and image synthesis techniques.
While NightCafe provides a comprehensive range of capabilities, it’s important to note that it isn’t entirely free. Users receive 3 free credits upon sign-up, after which they must either pay or engage in social campaigns to earn credits for utilizing more advanced models. Aspiring artists and enthusiasts can leverage NightCafe’s features to gain insights into the diverse landscape of AI-generated images.
- Very capable text-to-image model
- Stable Diffusion, DALL-E 2, and other models available
10. Lexica
Lexica stands out as an AI image generator that has harnessed the power of Stable Diffusion to create captivating images. This web-based service not only lets you generate images but also serves as a search engine for Stable Diffusion-generated content. The enticing feature is that you can create up to 100 AI images each month without any charge. For more extensive usage, a paid plan starting at $10 per month unlocks the ability to generate up to 1,000 images in a month.
- Effortless to use
- Two models available (Lexica Aperture v3 or v2)
- Generate 100 images per month for free
While Lexica offers a limited selection of models, it presents a promising starting point for those seeking a free alternative to Midjourney.
11. GauGAN2
GauGAN2 pays homage to the post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin by creating photorealistic images from segmentation maps. By translating combinations of words and drawings into lifelike images, GauGAN2 offers a unique bridge between textual input and visual output. While not a direct alternative to Midjourney, GauGAN2’s innovative approach makes it a contender for those exploring diverse AI image generation options. GauGAN2 is a free tool for generating imagery from a text prompt.
12. Craiyon
Craiyon, formerly known as DALL-E mini, stands as an open-source AI model capable of translating text prompts into images. Additionally, Craiyon offers the ability to modify existing images using textual input. With features like ad-free usage and support for dark mode, Craiyon brings convenience and versatility to the realm of AI-powered image generation. Text to Image Generation
- Image-to-Image Generation
- Ad-free experience
- Dark mode support
While Craiyon may not directly replicate Midjourney’s capabilities, its adaptability and diverse features make it a valuable alternative for those seeking creative image generation.
13. DiffusionBee
DiffusionBee takes a different approach by enabling users to run Stable Diffusion locally on their M1 Mac. With a simplified one-click installer and no technical dependencies required, DiffusionBee aims to provide a streamlined experience for harnessing the power of Stable Diffusion. While not a direct Midjourney alternative, it offers an intriguing solution for those who prefer localized AI generation and it is completely free.
The Best Option: DALL-E 2
Among the diverse array of alternatives, DALL-E 2 emerges as the most compelling option. Developed by OpenAI, DALL-E 2 showcases impressive capabilities in text-to-image generation, building upon the success of its predecessor. It’s not entirely free, but its remarkable accuracy and realistic image translation, coupled with features like expanding images and the Inpainting tool, make it a standout choice. DALL-E 2’s ability to comprehend prompts and produce astonishing images makes it a strong contender to replace Midjourney.
Amongst the free-to-use alternatives, Stable Diffusion is a great platform.
Conclusion
While Midjourney may have transitioned to a premium model, the world of AI image generation continues to evolve, offering a range of alternatives that cater to various preferences and requirements. From Stable Diffusion to DALL-E 2, Leonardo.Ai to Playground AI, each alternative has its own strengths and weaknesses.
If your priority is an open-source solution with powerful capabilities, Stable Diffusion could be an ideal choice. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a seamless transition from Midjourney, DALL-E 2’s advanced features and accuracy might be the way to go.
As the field of AI art generation progresses, the capabilities of these alternatives are likely to improve, offering even more sophisticated and versatile options for creative minds. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or enthusiast, exploring these alternatives can open new avenues of creative expression.
In the end, the best alternative for you depends on your artistic vision, preferences, and willingness to embrace change. Whichever option you choose, rest assured that AI-driven image generation continues to push the boundaries of creativity, providing exciting opportunities for artists and creators around the world.