The 20 Best Midjourney Alternatives in 2025: Free & Paid
Let’s face it — Midjourney is pretty cool, but it ain’t #1. Maybe you’re tired of its limitations, or maybe you just want an image creation tool that doesn’t require a PhD in prompts.
Good news: There are plenty of Midjourney alternatives that are easier, cheaper, and sometimes plain better.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the 20 best paid and free Midjourney alternatives, including Weights, the #1 choice for creators who want freedom, fun, and no hidden fees.
We’ll cover:
- Why people look for Midjourney alternatives
- How we chose the best tools
- The 20 best paid and free Midjourney alternatives
- FAQs about finding tools similar to Midjourney
Why people look for Midjourney alternatives
Midjourney is pretty impressive, but it doesn’t mean it’s perfect. In fact, there are plenty of reasons creators start hunting for a Midjourney alternative.
Here are the top three:
- It’s just too expensive: Not everyone wants to shell out cash just to generate AI art. With no free tier and monthly costs piling up, creators often look for free Midjourney alternatives that won’t drain their wallets.
- It’s not beginner-friendly: If you’re not fluent in prompt engineering or don’t have hours to tinker, Midjourney can feel more like a puzzle (a bad one) than a tool. Alternatives like Weights simplify the process, which helps you go back to your creations and spend less time on tinkering.
- “Meh” customization: While Midjourney is no slouch, it can leave you wanting far more control over your art. Some Midjourney competitors give you more features for tweaking details, like adjusting resolution or style more easily.
How we chose the best Midjourney alternatives
We didn’t just throw darts at a list of AI tools or look at platforms that are similar to Midjourney and call it a day. We had a method to our madness.
Every tool on this list went through the same test — a detailed prompt: “A lone skateboarder with a cyberpunk vibe, shredding through a glowing neon-lit alleyway at night, graffiti-covered walls, sparks flying from the wheels, and a holographic city skyline in the distance — hyper-detailed, cinematic realism.”
Here’s what we looked for:
- Simple setups: No one wants to feel like they’re cracking open a physics textbook. These tools are easy to use, even if it’s your first time playing with AI.
- Reasonable pricing: Free Midjourney alternatives got bonus points, but if they cost money, the features had to be worth every cent.
- Creative freedom: Tools that let you adjust, tweak, and experiment were the ones that stood out. We wanted you to be the artist — not just a bystander.
- Great results: If the art looks like it came out of a potato, it didn’t make the list. The tools here deliver sharp, professional-quality images.
Other must-haves:
- Fast (or bust): AI art should feel pretty quick — not like watching paint dry. We’re talking seconds, not literal eons.
- Accessible anywhere: Browser-based or light apps made the cut — no clunky downloads making you feel like we’re back to the age of dial-up.
- Custom features: Advanced controls for anyone who loves tweaking prompts.
- Cool perks: Style presets, unique filters, or fun ways to level up your creativity.
Please note: The prices shown in the list below are current as of the time of publishing in December 2024, and these costs can change. For the latest fees, please check their respective website pricing pages.
The 20 best free (and paid) Midjourney Alternatives
Itching to get to the list? So are we! We’ll start with the best of the best and move our way down.
Let’s check out these Midjourney competitors:
1. Weights.gg
Weights is the best-in-class AI art generator for anyone who’s tired of limits. It’s fast, intuitive, and packed with features that let you flex your creative muscles without hidden fees that will max out your credit card or annoying restrictions.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
Weights is more of a playground than a tool — you can generate as much art as you want without getting hit by paywalls. It also keeps things simple, so you don’t feel like you’re decoding hieroglyphics to make it work. Plus, with community-based models, you can find or create art styles that suit your exact vibe — and share your own socially to boot.
Also, it’s got a ton of other awesome features, like AI voice generators (you can find models made by other users or train your own), generating AI songs, and even making videos.
Who’s it best for?
Anyone who hates being told what they can’t do. If you’re a creator who wants zero limits, maximum fun, and results that look like they belong on everyone’s social feed, Weights is calling your name.
Pricing
Free. As in $0 forever. As in, “Why aren’t you using this already?”
The final say
If freedom, creativity, and no-cost experimentation are your vibe, Weights is hands-down the best Midjourney alternative. Plus, with the extra features, you’ll have your plate full.
2. Adobe Firefly
Adobe Firefly is a name you’ve probably heard making the rounds. It’s built into Adobe Creative Cloud, so it’s perfect for creators who already swear by Photoshop and Illustrator.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
Firefly’s deep integration with Adobe tools makes it a great choice for pros. Midjourney may create wow-worthy art, but Firefly lets you refine, adjust, and incorporate those visuals directly into your projects — no extra steps.
Who’s it for?
Ideal for pros who live in Adobe’s world. Avoid if you’re on a budget or need something free — Weights might be a better fit.
Starts at $4.99/mo
Final verdict
For creatives who live and breathe Adobe, Firefly brings pro-level tools and AI art together in perfect harmony.
3. Stable Diffusion
Stable Diffusion is open-source and pretty much endlessly customizable, giving you control over every detail of your creations.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s all about freedom. With Stable Diffusion, you can tinker under the hood, tweak settings, and even modify the code itself. It’s like having a tool that’s as nerdy as you are — in a way you’ll love.
Who’s it for?
Perfect for tech-savvy creators. Avoid if coding or excessive tinkering make your brain hurt — other tools on this list may be a better fit. Took us the better of 20 minutes to generate an image here.
Free to use.
Final verdict
For the creators who want absolute control, Stable Diffusion gives you the most versatile and customizable experience on this list.
4. Playground AI
Note: This image was created based off of a Sample image from weights.
The crowd-pleaser. Playground AI gives you beautiful designs fast (working off of base images), all from a simple, browser-based platform that anyone can use. (Yes, even your grandma.)
How’s it better than Midjourney?
Playground AI is super approachable — no Discord drama, no software to download, and no nonsense. It’s also great for experimenting with design styles, giving you flexibility without the steep learning curve. Also, it doesn’t have a text-to-image creator like Weights.
Who’s it for?
Best for casual creators and designers who want no-fuss AI art. Steer clear if you need deep customization — Stable Diffusion might be a better pick.
Free with limits; premium plans start at $12/month.
Final verdict
For quick, great-looking creations with minimal fuss, Playground AI gets the job done in style.
5. Artbreeder
Great for mashups! Artbreeder lets you blend images to create something entirely new, making it feel like a collab art experiment.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
Artbreeder takes a different route by focusing on image evolution rather than static creation. It’s great for building unique, layered visuals that stand out from typical AI-generated art.
Who’s it for?
Great for remix-loving creators. Avoid if you need hyper-detailed, prompt-driven results — Weights is a better match.
Starts at $8.99/month.
Final verdict
For collaborative, creative exploration, Artbreeder offers a pretty refreshing, easy-to-use approach to AI-generated art.
6. DALL-E
DALL-E is OpenAI’s AI (yes, those guys) art generator that transforms your ideas into visuals straight out of a daydream. It has top-tier results that feel — well, pretty magical.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
DALL-E skips the drama. It’s plugged into OpenAI’s ecosystem, so you can pair it with ChatGPT or other tools and get awesome results without sweating the details.
Who’s it best for?
Creators who want great visuals without the mental gymnastics. Not the pick for anyone chasing endless customization — Stable Diffusion might fit that vibe better.
Free with limited credits; extra credits use a pay-as-you-go system depending on the model you pick.
Final verdict
DALL-E is the perfect fit for anyone who wants to whip up amazing art without diving into a million settings or extra steps. It could get pricey if you use it a lot, though.
7. NightCafe
NightCafe is like the art supply store of AI generators — tons of tools, tons of variety. It lets you experiment with everything from dreamy abstracts to sharp photo-realistic pieces.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
NightCafe offers more ways to get creative with its mix of algorithms and styles. Plus, it’s got a social side — you can share your art, explore others’ creations, and geek out with like-minded creators.
Who’s it best for?
Perfect for anyone who likes trying new styles or showing off their work. If you’re after hyper-detailed realism, though, you might want to roll with something like Weights.
Free with daily credits; premium starts at $5.99/month.
Final verdict
NightCafe is a decent sandbox for creatives who love to experiment and vibe with a community.
8. WOMBO Dream
WOMBO Dream is great for turning heads on Instagram. It’s fast, mobile-first, and gets you share-ready images with just a few taps.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s made for speed and simplicity — no need for coding or having to drag it out with support.
Who’s it best for?
Anyone who loves creating on the go and wants their art to pop on socials. If you’re deep into desktop-based tools or heavy editing, though, this might feel a bit light.
Pricing
Free with ads.
Final verdict
WOMBO Dream makes it ridiculously easy to create trendy art — perfect for mobile-first creators who live online.
9. StarryAI
StarryAI leans into the artistic and the weird. Think more “gallery vibes” and less “photo shoot.” It’s where you go when you want your visuals to have a bit more punch.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s not about realism here — StarryAI lives in the abstract and experimental. If you’re tired of the same polished styles, this is the shakeup you need.
Who’s it best for?
Great for artists who want to push the boundaries and explore offbeat ideas. If you’re chasing ultra-clear, lifelike visuals, then Weights, DALL-E, or Stable Diffusion might be more your speed.
Free with limited credits; premium starts at $4.99/week.
Final verdict
StarryAI is perfect for anyone who’s into creating art that feels more like a statement than a stock photo.
10. DreamStudio
DreamStudio brings Stable Diffusion’s firepower into a setup that doesn’t feel like you need a Harvard degree to handle it. This one is a great mix of control and usability.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
You get all the customization of Stable Diffusion without needing to mess with complex code or endless settings. It’s like taking the scenic route but skipping the traffic.
Who’s it best for?
Perfect for creators who want to tweak their art without having to jump through a million flaming hoops. Not ideal if you’re hunting for a freebie — other tools like Weights might fit better.
100 free credits, and then pay-as-you-go starting at $10 for 1000 credits.
Final verdict
DreamStudio hits the sweet spot for anyone who wants to create highly personalized art without turning it into a science project.
11. Bing Image Creator
Bing Image Creator is like the "just vibes" friend of AI art. It’s free, straightforward, and perfect if you don’t want to deal with subscriptions or credits. You literally type your idea into Bing, and voilà — le art happens.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It doesn’t charge you a dime or make you jump through hoops to create something cool. Plus, no need to download anything — just open Bing and start typing.
Who’s it best for?
People who need quick and free art without a lot of fuss. If you’re looking for anything high-tech or super customizable, this might feel a little too basic.
Final verdict
Bing Image Creator is for when you need art fast and couldn’t care less about extra bells and whistles.
12. Craiyon
Craiyon, formerly DALL-E Mini, is like the kid who shows up late to class but still nails the group project. It’s basic, it’s free, and it gets the job done if you’re messing around with ideas or making memes.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s 100% free and super lightweight. You don’t need a degree in prompt engineering — just type in what you want, and Craiyon will throw something your way.
Who’s it best for?
Meme lords, students procrastinating on actual work, and anyone dabbling in AI art for fun. Skip it if you’re after polished results — DALL-E or DreamStudio might be better for that.
Final verdict
Craiyon is like a free sample — it won’t blow your mind, but it’s fun to play around with.
13. Jasper Art
Jasper Art is the marketing world’s favorite AI toy. It’s built to churn out visuals for ads, social posts, and branding. If you’ve already been using Jasper’s AI writing tools, adding this to your toolbox is a no-brainer — especially if you work in the industry.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
Jasper Art is designed for content creators, with brand-aligned visuals that work really well in marketing campaigns and social posts.
Who’s it best for?
Small business owners, freelance marketers, and social media managers. If you’re here to make weird, abstract stuff, stick with Weights, StarryAI, or NightCafe.
Starts at $49/month (billed monthly).
Final verdict
Jasper Art is for anyone who needs AI art that actually works in the real world — not just something cool to use as a phone background.
14. Lexica
Lexica is like Pinterest for AI art nerds. It’s a search engine full of prompts and examples, so you can find inspiration or remix something cool instead of starting from scratch.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s more about sparking ideas than grinding out hyper-detailed art. You get a treasure trove of prompts and visuals to guide your creativity.
Who’s it best for?
Perfect for anyone who stares at a blank screen for hours, hoping inspiration will strike. If you need total control over the creative process, DreamStudio or Weights are probably a better bet.
Pricing
Free.
Final verdict
Lexica isn’t here to do the work for you — it’s here to light the creative spark and get you going.
15. Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI is more about making assets you can actually drop into your projects — great for devs and animators.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
While Midjourney’s busy making pretty pictures, Leonardo AI is out here building characters, environments, and props that are functional and project-ready. You know, the kind that may actually make you some money.
Who’s it best for?
Game designers, animators, or anyone creating interactive media. Skip it if you’re looking for casual, fun art generation — Weights, NightCafe, or WOMBO Dream might be a better pick.
Their pricing is a little arcane, so you’ll have to access their pricing calculator to get a feel for how much they charge per credit according to your specific needs.
Final verdict
Leonardo AI is for creators who don’t just want art — they want assets they can actually use.
16. Canva's AI Art Generator
Canva’s AI Art Generator is always ready to help with quick, stylish visuals. Built right into Canva’s design platform, it’s perfect for whipping up social media posts, presentations, or whatever aesthetic masterpiece you need.
How’s it better than Midjourney?
It’s super accessible and works smoothly with Canva’s editing tools. Unlike Midjourney, which needs extra steps, Canva lets you polish and perfect your AI art all in one place.
Who’s it best for?
Great for influencers, marketers, or anyone who needs scroll-stopping content fast. Not ideal if you’re chasing ultra-detailed, lifelike art.
Free with basic features; Pro starts at $7.50/mo, with plans for teams.
Final verdict
For quick, polished, and platform-ready visuals, Canva’s AI Art Generator is a really solid pick.
FAQs
Is there a free Midjourney alternative?
Absolutely! Weights is the absolute best, and Bing Image Creator and Craiyon also offer completely free options.
What AI is better than Midjourney?
For unlimited creativity, Weights takes the crown. If you’re already using Adobe tools, Adobe Firefly is a strong contender. For creators who want full control over customization, Stable Diffusion is hard to beat.
Can I use these tools without knowing anything about AI?
Yes! Tools like Weights are super user-friendly. You don’t need a tech degree — just bring your creativity.
Are there tools better than Midjourney for videos or animation?
Yes! Weights’s premium tier takes AI art to the next level by incorporating video editing and animation features, which Midjourney doesn’t really offer. It’s a fantastic option for creators who want motion content.
Summing up
Now that you’ve seen all the Midjourney alternatives, you know that although Midjourney might be the OG of AI art, it’s not the only game in town.
Whether you’re looking for unlimited free tools like Weights, customization-friendly options like Stable Diffusion, or something quirky and fun like WOMBO Dream, there’s something out there for nearly every vibe.
But, if you had to pick just one tool from this list? It’s going to be Weights, no doubt about it.
Ready to level up your creativity? Weights offers you:
- Never hit a paywall again: Weights gives you unlimited free creations, so you can make all the art you want while saving up some money. And it’s free forever, so you don’t have to worry about hidden costs creeping in through the back door.
- Get inspired by the community: Dive into models made by other users or train your own — it’s all about finding (or creating) a style that speaks to you.
- Go beyond static art: From AI voice generators (SpongeBob, anyone?) to music and even videos, Weights is the all-in-one creative playground.
- Easy to use: It’s super user-friendly, so you can jump straight into creating without a single moment of, “Wait, how does this work?” In a few seconds, your creations will be ready to go.