From Art to Artificial: 6 Free AI Image Generators in Comparison (Update 2024)

Update 2024: Originally this article was published in June 2023. Since then, a lot has happened in the world of AI image generators - especially the fee-based models from Midjourney and the Dall-E 3 based image function of ChatGPT Plus have significantly improved in terms of quality. We've taken this as an opportunity to retest the free AI image generators mentioned here.

Hand on heart: Are you like me one of the people who can't even draw a straight line or a circle? Then I have good news for you: Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), it is easier than ever to transform your imagination into breathtaking images - without a drawing pencil! And the best part: You don't even have to spend money for it. In the following, I will show you 6 completely free AI image generators with which you can let your creativity run wild. 

 

What are AI image generators?

AI image generators are software tools that are based on artificial intelligence and are used to generate or modify digital images. These tools use different AI methods and models to create new and unique images from a series of inputs - be it text, photos, or other visual data. Such AI models are often used in art, design, animation, film, video games and many other areas to create visual content. In the meantime, however, the generators have also become extremely popular in the consumer and B2B/B2C sectors. 

One of the most common methods on which AI image generators are based are Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). GANs consist of two parts: a generator and a discriminator. The generator tries to create realistic images, while the discriminator tries to distinguish between the images created by the generator and real images. The goal of the generator is to create images that will ultimately no longer be recognized by the discriminator as artificially generated. Through this "competition", the generator learns over time to create more and more realistic images.

Another common method is the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), which has been specifically developed for image processing. CNNs are capable of recognizing and using patterns in images to create new images or modify existing images.

How do simple text inputs or "prompts" become complex images? This usually happens in several steps:

• 1. Text input or "prompt": You enter a text that describes the desired image. This could be something simple like "a red apple" or something more complex like "a surreal landscape at sunset".

• 2. Text processing: The AI model processes your text and tries to understand the meaning. It could recognize the words "red" and "apple" and know that it should create an image that contains these elements.

• 3. Image generation: The AI model generates an image based on the processed text input. It could do this by using patterns and features from a large number of example images it has been trained on. In this example, the AI model could use patterns and features from pictures of apples and the color red to create a new image.

• 4. Image output: The generated image is returned to you. In our example, this would (hopefully) be the picture of a red apple.

The quality and accuracy of the generated images depends - similar to the results of AI text generators like neuroflash or OpenAI ChatGPT - heavily on your prompt. Also, the specific AI model and the data it was trained on play an important role. Some models are better at generating certain types of images than others, and they all have their limits in terms of the complexity and detail accuracy of the images they can create. However, it can already be revealed in advance: none of the tools mentioned here can reach the photorealistic results of the (fee-based) top dog Midjourney. However, they do offer a free entry into the world of AI image generation.

Significance of AI image generators in (online) marketing

Especially in the last few months, the importance of AI image generators in the marketing industry has increased enormously. The main reasons for this are the availability and accessibility of the applications. On the other hand, the quality of the results is growing rapidly. 

Opportunities and fields of application

• Content creation: AI image generators can be used to create a variety of visual content, from product images to ads to social media posts. As they work automatically, they can produce a large amount of content in less time than would be possible for human designers. Especially in the concept stage or for presentations, when you have not yet finally decided on a specific design/motif, this is practical to try out different approaches.

• Personalization: With AI image generators, marketers can create content that is tailored to specific target groups, customer profiles, or situations. For example, they can create ads that show the product in a context that is relevant for individual customers.

• A/B testing and optimization: AI image generators can be used to create different versions of an image, which can then be used in A/B tests to determine which version is most effective. The AI can then use this knowledge to optimize future images.

Challenges

• Quality and creativity: Although AI image generators can deliver impressive results, they sometimes lack the quality and creative depth that a human designer can provide. They may have difficulty capturing abstract concepts or emotional nuances that are often important in marketing communications. Similarly, many artificial intelligences have problems with realistic representation of labels, human faces, and especially fingers.

• Ethics and data protection: The use of AI image generators also raises ethical questions. For example, AI-generated images that are based on the data of artists could be seen as plagiarism. Therefore, companies must strictly adhere to copyrights and include ethical considerations in their use of AI image generators.

Okay, granted: That may not sound particularly rosy at first. But despite these challenges, AI image generators offer you exciting opportunities to scale, personalize, and optimize your content creation. As the technology continues to progress, we will probably see more and more of these tools becoming an indispensable tool in the marketing industry.

Our top 6 free AI image generators

Let's get to the exciting part of this article: the free AI image generators. So that you can get an impression of what you can expect from the individual tools, we have also directly created example images. Our (admittedly very simple) prompt was always: “Photorealistic picture of a Mid-30 woman sitting in a bar, drinking coffee”. You can see what the AIs individually conjured up in the following.

Here is an overview of the tools we will introduce in this article:

PlayGround AI

Adobe Firefly

BlueWillow

Picsart

DeepAI

NightCafe

1. PlayGround AI

The first tool in our list is PlayGround AI. This is a web application that allows you to generate artificially generated images with few inputs. On the left side of the interface, you type in your prompt and can select the style you want for your image. On the right side of the application you find further setting options, which for example determine the level of detail of the image or how literally your text input should be taken by the AI. Particularly practical: With PlayGround AI you can expand the generated image by dragging the frame larger with the mouse and clicking on “Generate” again. In this way, you can create, for example, entire landscapes piece by piece. 

That's what the PlayGround AI interface looks like.

How to use PlayGround AI

To try out PlayGround AI, you need a customer account. You can set this up, for example, by logging into the web application with your Google Account. Then you can let your creativity run wild! In the meantime, the quality of the images has significantly improved compared to the old version (see screenshot above):

The current result of PlayGround AI.

2. Adobe Firefly

It should hardly surprise anyone that Adobe has also jumped on the AI bandwagon. In addition to a function for generative filling in Photoshop, the software manufacturer now also offers its own AI image generator with Adobe Firefly - albeit currently still in beta version. The interface is as straightforward as the competition: in the lower text field, you enter your prompt and choose properties like aspect ratios, color styles, and filters in the right sidebar.

The Firefly interface is clean and clear, typical of Adobe.

How to use Adobe Firefly

For Firefly, you need an Adobe account. It doesn't matter if you currently have a subscription for a product from the Adobe Creative Cloud, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Premiere Pro or not. You simply log in to the Firefly landing page with this and then let your creativity run wild. However, you only have a limited contingent of credits with which you can have your pictures made. Once these are used up, you can easily book more credits for just under 5 € per month. In our case, the following came out:

Also Adobe Firefly has stepped up in terms of quality - unfortunately the number of free credits, with which you can make pictures, is now limited.

3. Bluewillow

BlueWillow is a powerful AI image generator that works via Discord. In case you're wondering what Discord is: Discord is a free online communication platform that allows users to conduct text, voice, and video chats in individually designed community spaces, known as servers. Since Bluewillow is purely text-based, you have to incorporate properties like certain aspect ratios or color filters into your prompt. 

The generation with Bluewillow takes place exactly as with Midjourney via Discord.

How to use Bluewillow

To try out Bluewillow, you need to log into the Discord server that is linked to the AI. You can find the link to the Bluewillow server on the provider's website. Once you have joined the server, go to one of the so-called Rookie Channels where your images can be generated. There you type in the command “/imagine”, followed by your prompt. The AI then creates drafts for you based on your information. Originally, the results were displayed directly in the Discord channel. Now, however, you are redirected to the Limewire AI website, where you have to log in again with a (free) account to finally see your results. In our opinion, that’s more complicated than it needs to be. Here is the result we achieved with Bluewillow:

The eye part is still a big challenge for Bluewillow. Otherwise, detail depth and aesthetics are convincing.

4. Picsart

Picsart is a creative platform that provides various tools for image editing and generation. Moreover, the tool offers artificial intelligence to enable functions like automatic image enhancement, effect application, and object recognition. With Picsart, for example, you can create collages, add text and stickers to your images, create drawings, and even use some basic functions for video editing. In addition, Picsart has a community function that allows you to share your work and gain inspiration from others.

Picsart also offers a text-to-image generator that produces images from your inputs. This function is completely free, even though Picsart otherwise offers different premium subscriptions for advanced features. Just enter the desired prompt on the left side, select a style template and the AI generates several drafts for you to choose from. 

Picsart offers particularly many setting options – some of them though are chargeable.

How to use Picsart

Also with Picsart you first need a customer account - and you can use your Google account for that. After that, you only need to open the AI image generator, which is linked on the landing page, and you can get started right away. The result of our current input is significantly better than last year (compare screenshot above):

Of all the free AI image generators, Picsart has made the biggest quality leap since the last test.

5. DeepAI 

DeepAI is a platform that provides a range of AI-driven APIs that can be used in various fields, including image generation and image processing.

A well-known tool provided by DeepAI is the AI Image Generator API. This tool uses Artificial Intelligence to generate images from your text descriptions. It uses technologies like the previously mentioned Generative Adversarial Networks. The user interface of DeepAI is very straightforward compared to the other tools: You just have to choose your prompt, select a style, and you can have your image created with one click. Small downside: While the use is basically and permanently free, some of the style templates in DeepAI are hidden behind a paywall.

The interface of DeepAI is definitely clear...

How to use DeepAI

In the free version, DeepAI is particularly accessible, because you don't even need a user account to try out the AI image generator. Just call up the website and you can get started. Unfortunately, the AI of DeepAI is more suitable for modern art than for realistic photo generation. In our case the following picture resulted from the prompt: 

DeepAI isn't really suitable for photorealistic creations.

6. Nightcafe

Last but not least, we come to NightCafe. This is also an AI image generator that uses technologies like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to create unique images based on your prompts. For this, it uses machine learning and neural networks to recognize and reproduce visual patterns and relationships. Nightcafe works essentially permanently free, but the requests use up credits. As a free user, you receive a daily quota of credits with which you can generate images. 

This is what the interface of Nightcafe looks like.

How to use Nightcafe

In the free variant, you can use Nightcafe in two ways: Either you log in with a fixed account, which can be created quickly, for example, with your Google account. Alternatively, you also have the option to create an anonymous temporary account, for which you do not need an email address. The processing options remain the same: In the left menu bar, you enter the desired parameters and then click on “Create”. Here is the result from Nightcafe: 

Nightcafe has also significantly improved in terms of quality. But the eyes are still a big challenge.

Conclusion - what the free AI image generators can do in 2024

If you compare the originally created images for this article with the new creations, one thing becomes clear: The world of free AI image generators has once again greatly increased in quality in recent months. While the old images were often still blurred or completely wrong, most of the results can now be seen quite well. Only the eyes and fingers are still a major challenge for the AI.

However, it must be noted that our prompt was kept relatively short. Sometimes it just takes a few attempts until a usable image is created. In any case, these softwares offer you an easy access into the exciting world of artificial image generation. We wish you a lot of fun trying it out!