MidJourney costs 10 dollars per month, while ChatGPT costs 20 dollars per month, which can become quite expensive. Luckily, I’ve reviewed six of the best free AI image generators to find my favorite free MidJourney alternative. I’ll show you the quality of images they produce, what makes them different, and answer the question: how free are they really?
Kicking things off, we have Foocus. With Foocus, you can generate up to 32 images per prompt in various styles. Let me show you how.
Click the link in the description to access Foocus on GitHub—no coding needed! Sign up, scroll down, and click “Open in Colab.”
Google Collab lets you run AI models in your browser. Click “Connect” to enable the GPU, then hit “Play” to install Foocus. This takes about 15 minutes. Once done, click the provided “doli” link to launch the app.
Want to run it offline? Download it from GitHub, extract the files, and click “Run” to install Foocus on your PC.
Foocus offers several key features to enhance your image generation experience. You can choose from different Speed Modes—Speed, Quality, or Extreme Speed—depending on whether you prioritize faster results or higher detail. The Aspect Ratio setting allows you to select the best format for your needs, such as 1:1 for Instagram. If you want to generate multiple variations at once, Foocus lets you create up to 32 images per prompt, though keep in mind that higher numbers may take longer to process. The Negative Prompt feature allows you to exclude specific elements from your images, ensuring more precise results. Lastly, for realistic artwork, selecting the “Hyperrealism” style will produce stunningly lifelike images.
From most AI Image generators that I have tested so far, this one was the most useful!
Next I want to talk about Sea Art. It is a unique AI image generator that allows users to run multiple models, each producing different results. One of its standout features is the ability to remix any image in its gallery. Clicking the remix button reveals the original prompt, the model used, and any reference images that contributed to its creation. For example, the Sea Art Infinity model was used in one remix test. When I tried to remix an image, it cost 12 points. Users start with 150 “stamina” points, which refresh daily, allowing for approximately 15 free generations per day.
To test its capabilities, I used the prompt: “A blonde woman in a fashionable outfit walking on the streets of New York City.” Sea Art offers a variety of models, including the powerful Flux model, which is widely regarded as one of the best open-source AI models. I selected the “Real Life Photography” model and activated enhancements like “HDR” and “Prompt Magic” for better refinement. The generated image was impressive, though the background showed some warping. While Sea Art offers excellent customization and quality, its complexity might be overwhelming for beginners.
And then we have Canva, a well-known design platform, also has an AI image generator called Magic Media. I tested it by creating an Instagram post using the prompt: “A mechanical tiger robot is running through the jungle with a Jeep following in the background.” Canva provides various styles, such as anime, dreamy, filmic, and watercolor. I selected “filmic” and landscape orientation.
The results, however, were underwhelming. The generated images lacked quality, and the AI struggled to follow the prompt, often placing the Jeep in the foreground instead of the background. Furthermore, the mechanical tiger’s details were poor. In terms of pricing, free users receive 50 total credits, while Pro and Team users get up to 500 images per month. Additionally, Canva offers DALL·E-based image generation with two free credits. While Canva is convenient for existing users, its AI image quality is subpar compared to other platforms.
Next I wanna talk about Kittl. It is unique because it specializes in designs and graphics for merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and posters. Unlike other image generators, Kittl allows users to create detailed designs using AI. For example, I selected a Halloween-themed t-shirt design and used the AI image generator to create a digital art-style Halloween pumpkin. Kittl also offers an AI background remover, making it easy to customize designs.
After testing multiple prompts, I found that Kittl excels at generating high-quality designs for print-on-demand products. In terms of free usage, Kittl offers 20 single-use AI credits for free users, while Pro users get 30 credits per day. Since Kittl is more suited for creating graphics rather than photorealistic images.
Krea.ai is an AI-powered image and video platform that recently integrated the Flux model, one of the best free AI models. To test Krea, I logged into a free account and generated an image using the prompt: “A fairy living inside a glass bottle terrarium with a waterfall inside.” The results were impressive—the image was detailed, well-lit, and visually stunning.
One standout feature of Krea is its speed. It first generates a basic preview before producing the high-quality final image. I also tested the prompt “Mechanical tiger with a Jeep in the background,” and Krea generated an accurate image with sharp details. Lastly, I created a “Fashionable woman in New York City” image, which turned out fantastic.
In terms of free usage, Krea offers a time-based credit system. Users get approximately 3 minutes of free AI processing per day, translating to around 18 free image generations daily. Given its ease of use, quality, and free access, I rank Krea S-Tier—it’s one of the best free AI image generators available.
And lastly, Adobe Firefly, part of Adobe’s AI ecosystem, provides multiple creative tools. I tested it with the “Mechanical Tiger” prompt and found that Firefly 3 produces high-quality images with excellent detail. The AI followed the prompt well, keeping the tiger in the foreground and the Jeep in the background. Firefly also offers extensive customization options, including composition, styles, lighting effects, and camera angles.
However, excessive customization can sometimes lead to unpredictable results. For example, when I applied multiple effects, the AI distorted the image, turning it into a toy car instead of a real-life scene. In terms of free access, Adobe Firefly provides 25 free generative credits per month. Creative Cloud subscribers get up to 1,000 monthly credits.
While Adobe Firefly is powerful, its free version is quite limited.