AI Image Generation Tools - GT #26
10+ non-mainstream AI-based image generation tools for journalists, entrepreneurs and indie creators. (Mostly free)
Welcome to a new edition of Good Tools.
I write this newsletter to help indie entrepreneurs like me, find alternative, free or quasi-free tools that can help us save significant time and money.
This issue focuses on readers’ preference from the last poll: AI Image Generation tools.
What I have done is to pick and select the most interesting alternative image generation tools outside of the popular ones (which I have listed at the beginning).
The goal is to provide an alternative and complementary toolset of AI image tools that can complement and in some cases replace the work done generally with more popular and )generally) more expensive tools.
As always my focus falls mostly on tools that are free or that offer a generous free plan. I normally do include tools that offer just a trial or only paid subscriptions to be used.
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AI Image Generation Tools and Models
AI image generators are revolutionizing the way creators and entrepreneurs approach visual content, offering tools that can turn simple text descriptions into vivid, intricate images in minutes.
These tools leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence to analyze and interpret text prompts, transforming words into visual concepts with stunning precision.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur designing marketing materials or an indie creator looking to enhance storytelling with compelling visuals, AI image generators make visual communication more accessible than ever.
At their core, AI image generators rely on advanced machine learning models, with Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and diffusion models leading the charge.
GANs work through a dynamic "duel" between two neural networks, one generating images and the other evaluating their quality, until the output meets the highest standards of realism and creativity.
On the other hand, diffusion models like those powering OpenAI’s DALL-E and Stability AI’s Stable Diffusion simulate the process of reversing image noise to generate high-quality visuals, which provides unprecedented flexibility and detail in artistic styles.
The most prominent AI image models today include:
DALL-E by OpenAI: Known for its imaginative and versatile image generation, DALL-E can produce everything from realistic photographs to surreal, abstract art based on detailed textual prompts.
Stable Diffusion by Stability AI: An open-source model celebrated for its flexibility and adaptability, allowing users to fine-tune outputs for specific creative projects.
MidJourney: This model specializes in generating highly artistic and stylized images, making it a favorite among creators seeking unique and painterly visuals.
Imagen by Google: Renowned for its photorealistic rendering and ability to produce exceptionally detailed images, Imagen sets a high bar for realism in AI-generated content.
Deep Dream by Google: One of the earliest AI imaging tools, Deep Dream creates psychedelic and dreamlike visuals by enhancing patterns in images, often for experimental or artistic purposes.
Runway Gen-2: Building on its predecessor, Gen-2 excels in video generation and still-image creation, offering users robust tools for cinematic and design applications.
Flux: A newer entrant in the field, Flux focuses on generating dynamic, flowing visuals (both image and video), often characterized by intricate patterns and harmonious motion effects. Flux is particularly suited for creators working on immersive digital art and animations.
Popular AI Image Generation Tools
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DALL•E 3
Created by OpenAI in 2023, is a powerful AI image generation tool from text descriptions. It is characterized by a keen understanding of complex prompts, realistic visuals, and the ability to include text within images.Free to use (inside ChatGPT or Bing Image Creator with some daily limits)
.Google Imagen (via Google Gemini)
AI model introduced in 2022 and designed to create highly realistic images from text prompts. Known for its focus on photorealism and fine detail, it excels at producing lifelike visuals and accurately interpreting descriptive input. It stands out for its ability to generate images with rich textures and natural lighting effects.Free to use (with some daily limits)
.Midjourney
AI image genration tool launched in 2022. Its is best known for creating highly artistic and stylized visuals. Unlike many other models, it focuses on imaginative, surreal, and painterly aesthetics, making it a favorite for creative projects. Its versatility and emphasis on unique, expressive designs set it apart in the AI art landscape.Limited free use - Pro starts from $10/mo
.Microsoft/Bing Image Creator
Uses DALLE 3 model. Works in over 100 languages. Integrated into the Bing platform. Known for its accessibility and ease of use, it offers quick image creation for a variety of personal and professional needs.
Free to use (with some daily limits).
.Uses Stable Diffusion. AI-powered art platform. Pre-built models or train your own model. Set of AI image generation and editing tools: sketch to image, image to video, inpainting, outpainting, real-time drawing and upscaler. Great for reproducing specific artistic styles.
Free plan - 100% free + daily free credits (image res 1024p).
.Flux
This is the most recent image and video generation model introduced in 2024. Flux is designed for creating dynamic, flowing visuals with intricate patterns and smooth transitions. It is particularly suited for digital art and animation, offering a unique focus on motion-like effects and harmonious designs. Includes also extra capabilities like: Image to prompt. Upscaler. Photo-to-video.
Free plan - New users: 40 credits. Daily check-in: 20 credits - Pro from $9.99/mo
7 Alternative Free AI Image Generators That I Recommend
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Top alternative AI image generation platform. Good quality, friendly. Large library of available images/prompts created by others. Renders reliably text over images.
I use it myself since over a year and I am quite happy with the results.Free version - up to 40 images/day - 1024p download in .JPG - Paid from $8/mo
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Recraft
Image generation and editing toolset with: AI eraser, background removal, mockup generator, collage builder, recolor vector, upscaler, vectorizer. iOS and Android apps.
Free version - 50 daily credits. Max 2 images per prompt..
GetImg
Full set of image generation and editing tools. Flux-based. Free version Iincludes also: Image-to-Video, resizer, uncropper, background removal. Discord community. API.Free plan - 100 credits / mo - Pro starts from $12/mo
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Large curated catalog of AI-generated stock images. Images can be extracted, extended, lit in different ways and more. All objects inside images are available also as silhouettes without background. 3D objects collections. Illustrations.
100% free - pay only if you want super-high resolution versions - Pro starts at $8/mo to remove background, add effects, high-res downloads, reframing.
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AI-assisted image generation + full set of image editing tools including
AI Replacer, AI Image Extender, Image Colorizer, Image Upscaler, Background Remover. High-resolution image outputs. Community (Discord) + gallery of generated images. Not exceptional, but quite good for many tasks.100% Free
.Artificial Studio
Toolkit of 30+ AI image tools that can be used to generate or edit / transform existing images. Uses Flux, Stable Diffusion, Dalle3 and other models. Toolset: Faceswap, upscaling, image extension, colorize drawings, colorize photos, face to sticker, stereograms generator (image depth maps), and many more. The toolkit includes many 100% free AI apps (clearly labelled) and many others that do require a monthly subscription. Start experimenting here: Playground.
Free but with some limits - Pro starts at $12/mo.
ZMO Image Creator
Full AI image generator and integrated advanced visual editor. Key unique features: Can add text overlay over generated images. Background and object removal. Excellent at editing. AI-generated models. iOS and Android apps.
Free plan - 640p resolution - Pro from $14.90/mo 1080p res.
Eight Other Options To Keep an Eye On
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Freepik Image Generator
Flux-based. Full set of image generation and editing tools.Free version - generate up to 20 images/day + upscale / remove background
.CGDreams
Generate images from text, image or 3D model. Flux and SDXL based. Excellent for working or generating 3D images. Convert any image into 3D. Filters, styles and effects. Upscaling and image inpainting.Free plan - 3000 credits/mo (apx 160 images)
.Playground
Set of 20 AI-assisted image generation tools. Includes logo builder, coloring book pages generator, poster builder, social media posts creator and more.
Free version - create 15 images every 3 hours.
Krea
Flux and Ideogram based image generator with integrated image editor. Inpainting, powerful effects and transformations. Logo illusions. AI Patterns. Upscale images and videos.Free version (apx 18 images per day) - Pro from $10/mo
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DaVinci
AI image generator leveraging DaVinci’s own, Stable Diffusion XL and Dalle3 models. Ideal for generating artistic images and photo-realistic photos. Many pre-set styles available. Gallery of images/prompts. iOS and Android mobile apps.
Free version - Limited generations - Pro from $9.99/for 50 credits (100 images).
Hugging Face Spaces
Community of AI-developers and users building and sharing new tools and mini-apps to tackle all kinds of image generation/transformation needs. Basically a Gitlab for AI apps. Here you can find lots of very specific and unique AI image apps that you can use immediately at zero cost. The results may vary, but there’s a constant flux of new ideas and solutions. The cost/drawback is that you need to spend sometime inside the Spaces section to find the AI image mini-app that may fit your needs.
100% Free version - Pro starts at $9/mo (for AI apps developers)
.Dreamina by Capcut
New kid on the block. Powerful image and video generator. Text-to-image, image-to-image, multi-layer editing, inpainting, retouching, image extension, upscaling.
Free plan with 450 daily credits (apx 50+ images). Pro from $15/mo
.Kling
Uses Kolors and Kling as its own models or in the Pro version the ones you select. Does image and video generation and has interesting video generation features and an upcoming video editor.Free plan with 360+ monthly free credits and limited access to Pro advanced features. Requires registration. Pro starts at $3.88/mo
I have been searching and reviewing tools for communication professionals for over 20 years.
I do this because I enjoy searching, verifying and organizing useful resources.
I love to create lasting collections that can be useful to others.
Please consider supporting this work (like, restack, recommend, subscribe).
I’d love to keep on searching.
from sunny Koh Samui (TH)
Robin Good
There’s so much information about this out there, but nowhere have I found somebody summarize it in one place. Thank you for posting this!! Now I can just get back work and use this as a reference when needed. You are so appreciated!!