12 Best Midjourney Alternatives to Generate Images With AI (Free & Paid)

When comes to AI-powered image generation, Midjourney has been the go-to platform for many. The platform’s Discord-based operation has democratized the field, allowing users to generate hyper-realistic images with a simple text prompt. However, Midjourney has abruptly halted its free trials, citing an “extraordinary demand and trial abuse” as the primary reasons — left users pondering the best Midjourney alternatives.

If you’re one of those people, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will introduce you to the best alternatives to Midjourney (both free and paid), each with its unique set of features catering to a diverse range of needs and budgets.

Top Alternatives to Midjourney:

1. Stable Diffusion

Stable Diffusion is a free and open-source tool that stands as a formidable alternative to Midjourney. Developed on Latent Diffusion Models, EleutherAI, LAION, OpenCLIP, OpenAI’s ADM codebase, and more, this tool is already used by many websites and apps to quickly generate images from text prompts. The latest SDXL beta is trying to bring it on par with Midjourney, although it still has some issues with rendering eyes, hands, and fingers properly in human portraits.

Unlike Midjourney, which operates exclusively through a Discord bot, Stable Diffusion offers the flexibility of running locally on your desktop PC or Mac, provided it has at least 4GB of VRAM. Additionally, there are cloud services that allow you to use Stable Diffusion without installing it yourself.

Pros:

Open-Source: Offers high customization and thousands of art models.
In-Depth Customization: Features like inpainting and outpainting are available.
Flexibility: Can run both locally and on the cloud.
Advanced Features: Supports a wide range of downloadable custom models.

Cons:

Complexity: Not beginner-friendly due to its numerous features.
Hardware Needs: Requires at least 4GB of VRAM to run locally.
Setup Time: Takes time to install and set up.

2. DALL-E 3

With its unparalleled ability to interpret text prompts and transform them into stunning visual masterpieces, DALL-E 3, developed by OpenAI, is one of the latest updated competitors to MidJourney. Both platforms are relatively easy to use, but DALL-E 3 gains an edge due to its integration with ChatGPT, which helps in generating better prompts. DALL-E 3 is also a better choice for images with textual elements. DALL-E 3 is generally more faithful to the prompt, especially when it comes to specific details like character poses or scene arrangements.

Pros:

Precision: Highly accurate in interpreting prompts.
Text Elements: Can include specific text in images.
Prompt Quality: Uses ChatGPT for better prompt engineering.
Fidelity: Often beats MidJourney in direct comparisons.

Cons:

Artistic Flair: Less artistic than MidJourney.
Text Issues: Generates nonsensical text if unspecified.
Facial Features: Struggles with complex facial details.

3. Bing Image Creator

If you’re looking for a free MidJourney alternative and easy-to-use platform, Bing’s Image Creator is the one you should choose. Microsoft has teamed up with OpenAI to integrate DALL-E 3 into its Bing search engine. It’s a straightforward process: log in to Bing, and you get 100 weekly credits for quick image generation. It’s free and delivers good results, making it a strong contender.

Pros:

Free: No cost, just need a Microsoft account.
User-Friendly: Accessible via web browser, no downloads needed.
Prompt Library: Great for beginners.

Cons:

Poor Detailing: Lacks fine details and polish.
No Editing: Zero customization options.
Slow: Can be sluggish sometimes.
Inconsistent Images: Quality varies, not always polished.

4. Ideogram AI

One of the newest entrants, Ideogram AI shines in generating text into images. It’s almost on par with Midjourney and Stable Diffusion in terms of quality and is available for free on its website. Ideogram AI has a clear edge over Midjourney when it comes to text generation. Midjourney’s text often falls short and is far from ideal. Ideogram AI often delivers better results for specific design prompts, although it may require some tweaking.

Pros:

Text Integration: Better at adding text to images.
Creative Designs: Excels in unique and prompt-based image creation.
User-Friendly: Easy-to-use interface, ideal for artists and designers.

Cons:

Graphic Quality: Falls short in graphic detail compared to Midjourney.
Spelling Errors: Occasional mistakes in text.
Distorted Results: Some images need adjustments before use.

5. Adobe Firefly

Adobe Firefly effortlessly transforms text prompts into artistic images and offers new image generation models like Text to Image, Generative Fill, Text Effects, Generative Recolor, 3D to Image, and Extend Image. It’s a great option for those familiar with the Adobe suite. It offers a free version with 25 monthly credits and a paid version for more features and 100 credits.

Pros:

Integrated Ecosystem: Syncs well with Adobe software.
Content-Based Image Gen: Excels in Photoshop, vector, textures, and more.
Realistic Images: Uses public datasets for lifelike photos.
Fair Compensation: Adobe ensures creators get paid.
User-Friendly: Easy for beginners.

Cons:

Less Creative: Falls short compared to Midjourney’s artistic flair.
Costly: Part of Adobe’s paid suite.
Adobe-Centric: Best for those already in Adobe’s world.
Less Innovative: Public datasets limit creativity.

6. OpenJourney

OpenJourney offers a compelling, cost-effective alternative to Midjourney, especially for those who are budget-conscious or prefer open-source platforms. However, it has a steeper learning curve and requires a powerful PC for optimal results.

Pros:

Cost-Effective: Totally free, no subscription needed.
Open Source: Community can help improve it.
Versatile: Creates both realistic and artistic images.
Community-Driven: User-ranked prompts for inspiration.
Easy to Use: Free download from Hugging Face.

Cons:

Newbie: Less refined, fewer updates.
Quality: Not quite up to Midjourney’s latest standards.
Learning Curve: Stable Diffusion model can be tricky.
Hardware: Might need a strong PC.
Limited Features: Fewer styles and special models compared to Midjourney.

7. Leonardo AI

Leonardo AI is primarily developed to generate game assets, be it environments, buildings, items, helmets, and more, but its capabilities in generating highly detailed images make it a strong contender. For those who demand top-notch results, Leonardo AI offers advanced AI capabilities and a variety of filters. The registration process is a bit cumbersome and requires Discord, but it’s worth it for professional-level recreations.

Pros:

Stable Base: Built on open-source Stable Diffusion for quality images.
Feature-Packed: Offers model training and parameter customization.
Easy UI: User-friendly interface for smooth navigation.
Freebies: Gives 150 daily credits, unlike Midjourney’s no-free-option.
Community: Active user community for support and sharing.

Cons:

Sign-Up Needed: Requires account and subscription to start.
Complex: More intricate features compared to Midjourney’s simplicity.
Costly: Starts at $29.99/month, pricier than Midjourney.

8. Wombo Dream

Wombo Dream allows users to turn text prompts into digital artworks across various styles like realistic, anime, and street art. It’s free, ad-free, and monetizes through a print-on-demand service. Accessible through both iOS and Android platforms, the app provides a user-friendly interface that even those new to the world of AI can navigate with ease. You can also edit artworks with text instructions and use existing images as a base for new creations.

Pros:

User-Friendly: Easy for beginners.
Style Variety: Multiple art styles available.
Randomness: Unique results for the same prompt.
Free: No ads or subscriptions.
Monetization: Print-on-demand service.

Cons:

Quality: Falls short of Midjourney’s realism.
Limited Control: Less customization.
Narrow Scope: Fewer image types.
Not for Pros: Lacks advanced features.

9. StarryAI

StarryAI allows users to create artworks, designs, and even photorealistic images using AI. Starryai with its algorithm, Argo, which is based on the Stable Diffusion model, is designed to create artworks of exceptional quality, aiming to rival other platforms like Midjourney. The platform offers free credits, allowing users to explore its capabilities before committing to a paid plan.

Pros:

User-Friendly: Easier to navigate, especially for Discord newbies.
Pre-Built Features: Simplifies image creation with ready-made styles and sizes.
Social Media: Follow other creators for inspiration.
Free Credits: Get five free photos daily.

Cons:

Image Quality: Not as detailed or accurate as Midjourney.
Limited Features: Fewer advanced options compared to Midjourney.
Pricing: Less variety in paid plans than Midjourney offers.

10. Craiyon

Formerly known as DALL-E Mini, Craiyon is a free tool with no content restrictions. It may not be as precise as DALL-E, but is a viable option for those on a budget. Craiyon offers a high degree of customization, allowing users to fine-tune their image generation. Whether you’re looking for a photorealistic image or a highly stylized illustration, Craiyon provides the flexibility to create according to your preferences. While the platform is free to use, Craiyon sustains itself through a combination of subscriptions and ads.

Pros:

Cost-Effective: Free to use, sustained by ads and subscriptions.
User-Friendly: Intuitive interface, Discord community for support.
Versatile: Offers photorealistic to stylized images, keyword customization.
Enhance Option: Boosts image resolution and clarity.
No Limitations: Unlimited image generation.

Cons:

Quality: Falls short compared to Midjourney, issues with facial details.
Bias: Susceptible to societal biases, though team is working on it.
Traffic: Delays due to high website traffic.

11. BlueWillow

BlueWillow is shaping up to be a strong competitor to Midjourney, especially for those who are looking for a free alternative. It offers a similar user experience and has some advantages like speed and a free-to-use model. However, it falls short in areas like image consistency and quality.

Pros:

Free: Unlike Midjourney’s paid model, BlueWillow is currently free.
Speed: Generates images a bit faster than Midjourney.
Familiar UI: If you’ve used Midjourney, you’ll find BlueWillow’s Discord-based interface easy to navigate.
Multiple Outputs: Like Midjourney, gives four image options per prompt.

Cons:

Inconsistency: Not as reliable as Midjourney in image quality.
Blurry Upscaling: Image upscaling can result in blurriness.
Still Testing: Being new, it’s not as polished as Midjourney.
Uncertain Future: May not remain free.

12. NightCafe

Nightcafe is another alternative that has been gaining traction for its user-friendly interface and a variety of image generation options. This AI image generator shines as a community-centric and more privacy-centric platform. It offers free and premium features, making it more accessible.

Pros:

Community-Focused: Great for learning and sharing.
User-Friendly: Easy for beginners and pros alike.
Versatile: Multiple styles and algorithms.
Free: Premium features available through credits.

Cons:

Limited Customization: Not as many options as Midjourney.
Less Professional: May not meet specific professional needs.

While Midjourney has undoubtedly carved a niche for itself, the emergence of robust and diverse alternatives proves that the field is far from monopolistic. From open-source wonders like Stable Diffusion to corporate giants like Adobe Firefly, the options are as varied as they are powerful. Explore these compelling Midjourney alternatives and let your creativity soar to new heights.