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Published Jun 17, 2026. Prices, plans and specs last checked Nov 5, 2026.
Quick verdict
For art and style: Midjourney (from $10/month; $8 billed yearly). For commercial design work in Adobe apps: Firefly (Standard $9.99, 2,000 credits). Free option: the image tools inside ChatGPT and Gemini free tiers, with limits.
Disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate or shop links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change our picks.
Pricing note: Prices are US list prices from the vendors' pages as displayed on Nov 5, 2026, before tax. Plans, limits and prices change often and can differ by country; confirm on the vendor's site before you subscribe. This isn't financial advice.
'Best free AI image generator' gets about 28,000 searches a month in vidIQ's data. Here's how the main options compare on price.
| Tool | Free? | Paid from | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | Not listed | $10/mo ($8 yearly) | Basic $10, Standard $30, Pro $60, Mega $120 |
| Adobe Firefly | Limited | Standard $9.99 (2,000 credits) | Pro $19.99 (4,000 credits) |
| ChatGPT | Yes, limited | Go $8 / Plus $20 | Image generation inside chat |
| Gemini | Yes, limited | Google AI Plus $4.99 | Image tools in the Gemini app |
How to choose
- Need commercial-safe assets for clients? Check each vendor's licensing terms; Adobe positions Firefly for commercial use.
- Want a distinctive style? Midjourney.
- Occasional images? Use the assistant you already pay for.
Ideogram is another popular option, but its pricing page didn't load for us, so we haven't listed its prices.
Deep dives: Midjourney plans, Firefly plans. Video: best AI video generators.
How to trial an AI tool properly
Free tiers and trials are the best way to decide, but only if you test with your real work. Pick three tasks you do every week, run each through the tool, and compare the results with how long it would take you by hand. Note where you had to fix the output. Keep sensitive data out of trials unless the vendor's terms and your employer's policy allow it. Cancel trials you won't keep before they renew, and set a calendar reminder the day you sign up.
Watch the usage limits, not just the price
Most AI plans now meter usage with credits, prompts, minutes or 'fair use' caps. Two plans at the same monthly price can give very different amounts of work. Check what happens when you hit the limit: some tools slow down, some switch you to a smaller model, and some charge for extra usage. Annual billing usually lowers the monthly price but locks you in, so start monthly until you're sure.
Privacy and data checklist
- Does the vendor train on your inputs by default, and can you opt out?
- Is there a business plan with stronger data terms?
- Where is data stored, and how long is it kept?
- Can you export or delete your history?
- Does the tool integrate with accounts you already use, and what permissions does it ask for?
What we did and didn't do
This article compares published features and prices. We didn't run scored, hands-on tests, so we don't claim one tool's output is better than another's. Where independent reviewers or the vendors make claims about quality, we attribute them. If you want a quick recommendation, use the plan table to shortlist two tools and try both free tiers for a week.
Avoid paying twice
AI features are now bundled into many products you may already pay for, such as office suites, note apps and chat assistants. Before adding a new subscription, check whether a plan you already have covers the task. A single general assistant plan can replace several single-purpose tools for light use; specialist tools make sense when you use them daily.
Free vs paid: when to upgrade
Free tiers are good enough for occasional use, testing and learning. Upgrade when you hit limits several times a week, when you need a feature that's only on paid plans (such as higher-quality models, longer inputs, team sharing or commercial terms), or when the time saved clearly outweighs the monthly cost. A simple rule: if a tool saves you more than an hour a month and you'd value that hour above the plan price, the upgrade pays for itself. If you only reach for it once a week, stay on free and revisit in a month.
Team and business plans
For companies, the main differences between individual and team plans are admin controls, billing in one place, single sign-on, data-retention settings and stronger commitments about not training on your data. These usually cost more per seat than individual plans, but they reduce the risk of staff pasting company data into personal accounts. If you manage a team, ask vendors for their data processing terms and security documentation before rolling a tool out, and start with a small pilot group.
Always check the output
- Fact-check names, numbers, quotes and links: AI tools can state wrong facts confidently.
- Read generated text aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- For code, run tests and review diffs before merging.
- For images and audio, check licensing and get consent for any real person's likeness or voice.
- Keep a human responsible for anything published or shipped.
Prices outside the US
The prices in this article are US list prices. Many AI vendors charge different amounts in other countries, sometimes with lower regional pricing and sometimes with added local taxes such as VAT or GST. App-store subscriptions can also cost more than subscribing on the web. Check the price shown at checkout in your country, and compare web and app billing before you subscribe.
What we did and didn't do
This article compares published features and prices. We didn't run scored, hands-on tests, so we don't claim one tool's output is better than another's. Where independent reviewers or the vendors make claims about quality, we attribute them. If you want a quick recommendation, use the plan table to shortlist two tools and try both free tiers for a week.
Always check the output
- Fact-check names, numbers, quotes and links: AI tools can state wrong facts confidently.
- Read generated text aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
- For code, run tests and review diffs before merging.
- For images and audio, check licensing and get consent for any real person's likeness or voice.
- Keep a human responsible for anything published or shipped.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cheap entry plans
- Free options in assistants
- Credits make costs predictable
Cons
- Midjourney lists no free plan
- Credits run out
- Licensing differs
FAQ
What is the best free AI image generator?
ChatGPT and Gemini free tiers include limited image generation.
How much is Midjourney?
$10, $30, $60 or $120 a month; 20% less billed yearly.
Is Adobe Firefly free?
There's limited free use; Standard is $9.99.
Did you test image quality?
No, this compares plans and features.
How we researched this
This is a feature and pricing comparison built from each company's official pricing and product pages, checked on Nov 5, 2026, plus the third-party sources named below. We did not run scored hands-on tests for this article, so we do not rank output quality. Plans, limits and prices change often; confirm on the vendor's site before you subscribe.
Sources
- Midjourney: Pricing and plans
- No Code MBA: Midjourney pricing 2026
- The Expert Ranking: Adobe Firefly pricing 2026
- OpenAI: ChatGPT plans and pricing
- Google: Google AI plans (Gemini subscriptions)
Published Jun 17, 2026. Sources last checked Nov 5, 2026.
