Ranking 2026
The best AI tools to create images in 2026
Every image generator has its own character: some stand out for artistic quality, others for precise control or for running free on your own computer. We compare them so you can pick by what you need.
Rank 1: Midjourney
4.6PaidThe AI image generator with the highest artistic quality.
From $10/month. No free plan.
Rank 2: Ideogram
4.6FreemiumAI image generator that excels at legible text inside the image.
Free plan available (10 slow credits/week). Paid plans from $15/month (Plus, annual) up to $60/month (Pro). API from $0.025 per image.
Free planIn SpanishOpen sourceAPIRank 3: Canva
4.5FreemiumOnline graphic design with AI: templates and visual content editing.
Free plan available. Pro from $15/month (billed monthly) or $120/year. Business from $20/month per user. Enterprise on custom pricing.
Free planIn SpanishAPIRank 4: Krea
4.5FreemiumAI suite to generate, edit and enhance images, video and 3D models in real time
From $9/month (Basic plan). Free plan available with 100 daily compute units. Paid plans: Basic $9, Pro $35, Max $105, Business $200, Enterprise custom.
Free planIn SpanishOpen sourceAPIRank 5: Flux
4.4FreemiumOpen source image generator from Black Forest Labs.
Open models free to run locally; paid Pro versions via API.
Free planOpen sourceAPIRank 6: Stable Diffusion
4.4FreeThe open source image model you can run on your own PC.
Free locally (open models). Stability's APIs and services are pay-as-you-go.
Free planOpen sourceAPIRank 7: Recraft
4.4FreemiumImage and SVG vector generator with brand style control.
Free plan with 50 daily credits (public images, no professional use). Paid from $10/month; Advanced $27, Pro $48.
Free planAPIRank 8: Freepik
4.4FreemiumSpanish creative suite: stock library plus AI image and video.
Free plan with 20 generations/day (Auto model only, watermarked). Premium from $14.50/month annual; Business $55/user/month.
Free planIn SpanishAPIRank 9: Leonardo.ai
4.3FreemiumAI image and video generator with advanced creative control.
Free plan with 150 daily tokens. Paid plans from $12/month (Apprentice): $12/month, Artisan $30/month, Maestro $60/month. Up to 20% off with annual billing. API from $9/month.
Free planAPIRank 10: Adobe Firefly
4.3FreemiumAdobe's generative AI: images and video that are safe for commercial use.
Free plan with 25 credits/month. Standard $9.99/month, Pro $19.99/month.
Free planIn SpanishAPIRank 11: Photoroom
4.3FreemiumProfessional AI product photos: cut out backgrounds and build scenes.
Free plan with 250 watermarked exports/month. Pro $7.50/month, Max $20.99/month, Ultra from $82.50/month. API at $0.10 per image.
Free planIn SpanishAPIRank 12: Luma Labs
4.2FreemiumGenerate high-quality video and images with AI (Ray models).
Free plan available with limits. Paid plans from $30/month (Plus, with 10,000 credits). Video generation is charged in credits depending on model and resolution.
Free planAPI
Want to see them all?
This is our selection. The image catalogue has all 14 tools we have reviewed.
How do we build these rankings?
Every tool has a review with data verified on its official website (pricing, free plan, API, platforms and languages). The order reflects our editorial rating, which weighs output quality, value for money and real-world usefulness. We review the data regularly, but always confirm the price on the vendor's site before subscribing.