I Tested the Best AI Image Generators and Here’s What Happened!

When you think of AI, you probably think of those text-based AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Google Gemini, right? But guess what – AI tools have come a long way. Now, even basic AI chatbots offer a bunch of cool media creation tools, including AI image generation.

So, what’s the deal with AI image generators these days? I decided to dive in and find out.

Testing AI Image Makers

I put the top AI image generators to the test, and the results are pretty interesting. I ran a series of standard prompts through each model to see what they could come up with. From futuristic cityscapes to impressionist paintings, I had these AI image makers working hard to impress.

ChatGPT Takes the Crown

Drumroll, please! The best AI image generator in 2025 is… ChatGPT! OpenAI really knocked it out of the park with their GPT-Image-1 tool. It’s part of their GPT-5 model, and let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. The images it creates are clear, precise, and super realistic. Plus, you can even ask ChatGPT to make edits to the images based on your text prompts. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely the most accurate AI image maker out there. So, if you’re looking to create some awesome AI-generated images, ChatGPT is the way to go.
Using ChatGPT is like having a chat with a buddy who can whip up or tweak an image for you, rather than just using some software tool. That’s why it’s hands down the top AI image generator in 2025, whether you’re on the free plan or a paying user.

GPT-Image-1 showed some caution around creating deepfakes initially, but when pushed, it did create a doppelganger. It’s still better than most other tools out there, but it’s pretty straightforward for most users to churn out deepfake images using ChatGPT.

### Best at following prompts: Midjourney

Midjourney is an OG AI image generator, and the latest V7 model has been fine-tuned since its 2022 debut. After a personalization process where you train the model to your preferences, the results are pretty impressive. Midjourney excels at sticking to the prompts you give, unlike many others we tried. It can create sketches of Tokyo or paint in the style of Van Gogh, and it’s on point with what you ask it to do.

Sure, it can create deepfakes right off the bat, but Midjourney shines at crafting highly detailed, realistic images as requested — always staying true to the prompt. Like ChatGPT, it’s worth the investment if you’re into making a lot of AI images. Plus, paid users can easily convert images into videos with Midjourney.

### Most realistic: Ideogram 1.0

While GPT-4o can whip up detailed photorealistic images, Ideogram 1.0 edges ahead in the realism department, despite lacking the same chat features and accessibility.
When it comes to image generation, Ideogram 1.0 really shines with its bright and vibrant images. It may not be perfect, with some minor issues like smoke coming from unexpected places, but overall, it’s more realistic than many other models out there. Plus, it has no problem creating deepfake images, if that’s your thing. Just be mindful of how it handles safety.

### Ideogram Pricing
– **Free tier:** Yes (weekly limits on images)
– **Monthly Pricing:** $7 Basic plan, $16 Plus plan, $48 Pro plan
– **Sign up at [Ideogram](link)**

If you’re looking for an easy-to-access image generation model, check out Google’s Imagen 4, available in the Gemini app, Google Docs, and more. While it’s not perfect (Tokyo sketch, anyone?), the quality is impressive. Stick with Gemini if you’re in Google’s ecosystem for top-notch images without the need for an extra app.

### Google Gemini Pricing
– **Free tier:** Yes
– **Monthly Pricing:** $19.99 AI Pro plan (free trial), $249.99 AI Ultra plan
– **Sign up at [Google Gemini](link)**

Just remember, the key is finding the right tool that fits your needs and style. So, whether you’re into vibrant images or futuristic sketches, there’s a model out there for you.

Best for creatives: Adobe Firefly (Image 4 Ultra)

If you’re a professional photographer or graphic designer, chances are you already use Adobe’s tools. In that case, why not give Adobe Firefly a try for AI image generation? We tested out the latest Firefly model, the Firefly Image 4 Ultra, and were pretty impressed.

The integration with Adobe tools is seamless, and the level of detail in the generated images is impressive. For example, the image of a woman in a Paris cafe was spot-on, although it didn’t scream “Paris” in the background. The other images had their own quirks, like a strange cat in a blacksmith photo and a too-realistic sketch of Tokyo, without any Tokyo vibes.

Firefly may be better for enhancing existing photos rather than creating entirely new images. It’s also worth mentioning that Firefly excels in avoiding deepfakes, earning top marks for safety.

Best for social sharing: Meta AI (Llama 4)

If you’re active on Facebook or Meta, Meta AI is a great choice for free AI image generation. Accessible through various Meta platforms like Facebook Messenger and Instagram, Meta AI’s Llama is easy to use and convenient.

However, the quality of Meta AI’s image generator may not be the best. It has an AI-like quality even in photorealistic images, reminiscent of older image generators. It’s comparable to Grok Imagine and has some issues with intellectual property, especially in creating images of celebrities.

So, here’s the scoop: the image quality with Meta AI is just okay. If your goal is to churn out a bunch of images and share them with your buddies, then this AI image generator is the one for you.

Free to use: Yes
Grab the Meta AI app for iOS or Android; hop on in through Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp

And hey, we’ve got some cool visuals for you to check out:

Other AI image generators we tested

Stable Diffusion (Stable Image Ultra)

Stable Diffusion is another player in the AI image generation game, and their latest, Stable Image Ultra, creates some pretty nice images. Sure, it struggled a bit with accuracy in things like fingers, but overall, most of our test shots turned out pretty darn good.

Free tier: Yes
Get in on the action at Stable Diffusion

Flux Pro 1.1 Ultra

Black Forest Labs has been dabbling in AI image creation for a while now, and their Flux Pro 1.1 Ultra is their top dog. While it creates solid images across the board, it misses the mark on nailing that Van Gogh style and sketching out Tokyo properly. But hey, the rest of the work is top-notch. It might give you a motorcycle when you ask for a bike, but hey, close enough, right?

Free tier: Yes
Monthly pricing: $16.90 Basic plan, $22.90 Pro plan, $26.90 Max plan, $42.90 Pro Max plan
Sign up at Flux Pro

Grok (Grok 4 and Grok Imagine)

Good ol’ Grok. It’s a bit of a wild card. The latest Grok 4 model can churn out some high-quality images, but it’s a hit or miss on achieving photorealism. Why the lower ranking? Well, Grok’s images sometimes defy the laws of physics, much like the best AI image generators from 2023. The new Grok Imagine AI image and video creator also didn’t blow us away, lacking those industry-standard safety nets.

And hey, Grok didn’t quite get the memo on creating a “sketch.” In one instance, it threw in two cats when it should have been just one. Oh, and those hands in the Parisian cafe scene? Yikes. These were results from the paid version of Grok, mind you. Stick with the freebie, folks.

Free tier: Yes
Monthly pricing: $8 X Premium plan, $30 SuperGrok plan, $300 SuperGrok Heavy plan
Sign up at X, Grok, or xAI

Are AI image generators ethical?

That’s a loaded question. Some artists feel that AI tools like Grok, ChatGPT, and Meta might have crossed some ethical lines, maybe even dipping into the realm of copyright infringement. Disney and Universal recently took Midjourney to court, branding it a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.”

Mashable recently covered some legal battles involving AI companies, including a controversial report from the U.S. Copyright Office. This report sided with artists who argue that AI companies shouldn’t be able to freely train on copyrighted material, and we’re keeping an eye on cases like Kadrey v. Meta for more clarity on this issue.

Art and AI have been stirring up some drama lately. When ChatGPT showcased GPT-4o’s new image capabilities, people went crazy creating Studio Ghibli-style images, which then caused backlash against OpenAI. OpenAI and other AI companies have been defending the “freedom to learn” from AI technology, warning that heavy regulations could hinder the U.S. AI industry. Despite the controversies, many artists are embracing AI in their creative process.

Now, let’s talk about deepfakes. The U.S. recently banned adult deepfakes, raising concerns about the use of AI-generated images for spreading misinformation. When choosing an AI image generator, consider all these aspects before making a decision.

And remember, Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, is currently in a legal battle with OpenAI over alleged copyright infringement related to AI systems. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing dispute.