AI Image Generator Pricing Comparison 2026: All Plans Compared
AI image generation has become essential for designers, marketers, and content creators. But with pricing models ranging from free and open-source to $60+/month subscriptions, choosing the right tool at the right price is crucial. This guide breaks down every major AI image generator’s pricing for 2026.
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Complete AI Image Generator Pricing Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Basic Plan | Pro Plan | Commercial Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | No | $10/mo (3.3 hrs) | $30/mo (15 hrs) | All paid plans |
| DALL-E 3 | Via Bing (limited) | $20/mo (ChatGPT+) | API: ~$0.04/image | Yes |
| Stable Diffusion | Free (local) | Free (self-hosted) | Cloud: varies | Open license |
| Adobe Firefly | 25 credits/mo | $59.99/mo (CC) | $59.99/mo (CC) | Full commercial |
| Leonardo AI | 150 tokens/day | $12/mo | $30/mo | Paid plans |
| Ideogram | 10 images/day | $8/mo | $20/mo | Paid plans |
| Runway ML | 125 credits | $15/mo | $35/mo | Paid plans |
| Canva AI | Limited | $14.99/mo (Pro) | $14.99/mo (Pro) | Pro plan |
| Flux (by Black Forest Labs) | Free (local) | Free (self-hosted) | API: varies | Open license |
Cost Per Image Analysis
| Tool | Est. Cost Per Image | Images at $30/mo | Quality Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midjourney Std | ~$0.05-0.10 | 300-600 | Excellent |
| DALL-E 3 (API) | ~$0.04 | 750 | Very Good |
| Stable Diffusion | ~$0.01 (local) | 3,000+ | Good to Excellent |
| Leonardo AI Pro | ~$0.03-0.06 | 500-1,000 | Very Good |
| Ideogram Pro | ~$0.04 | ~750 | Very Good (text) |
Best Value Recommendations
For Hobbyists: Ideogram ($8/mo) or Leonardo Free
Ideogram offers the cheapest paid plan at $8/month with good quality and excellent text rendering. Leonardo AI’s free tier provides 150 tokens daily, enough for casual use.
For Professionals: Midjourney Standard ($30/mo)
Midjourney consistently produces the highest aesthetic quality. At $30/month with hundreds of generations, it’s the best value for professional visual content creation.
For Commercial Safety: Adobe Firefly ($59.99/mo with CC)
If you need guaranteed commercial-safe images, Adobe Firefly trained on licensed content is the only option with full IP protection.
For Maximum Volume: Stable Diffusion (Free, local)
For unlimited generations, self-hosted Stable Diffusion is unbeatable. It requires a GPU ($0 marginal cost per image) and technical knowledge but offers maximum flexibility.
FAQ: AI Image Generator Pricing
What is the cheapest AI image generator?
Stable Diffusion and Flux are free when run locally. For cloud-based options, Ideogram at $8/month is the cheapest paid plan.
Which AI image generator has the best quality?
Midjourney v6 produces the highest overall aesthetic quality. Adobe Firefly excels in commercial safety.
Can I use AI-generated images commercially?
Most paid plans include commercial rights. Adobe Firefly offers the strongest commercial protection. Always check individual tool terms.
How many AI images can I generate per month?
At $30/month: Midjourney generates 300-600 images, DALL-E 3 generates ~750, Leonardo AI generates 500-1000. Self-hosted options are unlimited.
Related: AI Tools Directory | ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini | Best Free AI Tools 2026
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