AI OffersThe short version: if you make images now and then, you don't need an image subscription — the free tiers of Gemini, ChatGPT and Leonardo cover it, and if you already pay for an AI assistant, images are included. If images are part of your job (design, marketing, content), Midjourney Standard ($30, or $24 billed yearly) is the popular pick, and Leonardo is the cheapest paid start at $12.
Price table
| Tool | Free | Cheapest paid | Mid | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | No | Basic — $10 ($8 yearly) | Standard — $30 ($24 yearly) | Mega — $120 ($96 yearly) |
| Leonardo.ai | 150 tokens a day | Apprentice — $12 | Artisan — $30 | Maestro — $60 |
| Ideogram | Limited weekly credits | about $7–8 | Plus | Pro |
| ChatGPT | A few images a day | Included in Go ($8) | Included in Plus ($20) | Included in Pro |
| Google Gemini | Limited daily images | Included in AI Plus | Included in AI Pro ($19.99) | Included in Ultra |
| Canva | Basic AI tools | Canva Pro (30-day free trial) | — | — |
Ideogram changed its prices more than once in 2026 and sources disagree on the current numbers, so check its official page before paying.
Midjourney: top artistic quality, no free plan
- Basic ($10): roughly 200 images a month in fast mode; when fast time runs out you wait for the next cycle (or buy extra hours).
- Standard ($30): 15 fast hours plus unlimited Relax-mode generation — the right plan for most designers.
- Pro ($60) and Mega ($120): more fast hours and Stealth Mode to keep your images out of the public gallery.
- Yearly billing saves 20% on every plan.
- Businesses: companies with more than $1M in annual revenue must use Pro or Mega for commercial use.
Leonardo.ai: cheapest paid start
- Free: 150 tokens that reset daily (an image usually costs 2–5 tokens, depending on model and resolution). Free images are public and have no commercial rights.
- Apprentice ($12): 8,500 tokens a month, private images and commercial rights.
- Artisan ($30): 25,000 tokens.
- Maestro ($60): 60,000 tokens and top priority.
Ideogram: best at text inside images
Ideogram is known for getting words right inside an image — handy for posters, logos and ads. It has a free tier with limited weekly credits and public images, and paid plans that start around $7–8 a month.
Images inside ChatGPT and Gemini
- ChatGPT: the free plan allows a few images a day; limits rise a lot on Go and Plus. If you already pay for ChatGPT Plus, you probably don't need a separate image tool.
- Gemini: the free plan includes a limited number of daily images with Google's models, with higher limits on AI Plus and AI Pro. Google describes the limits as approximate and load-dependent.
Full comparison of the three assistants: ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini.
Which one fits you?
| Your use | Our pick |
|---|---|
| A few images for fun or testing | Free tiers: Gemini, ChatGPT or Leonardo |
| Already paying for ChatGPT Plus or Google AI Pro | Use the images in your plan before adding anything |
| Social media designs and templates | Canva (try Pro free for 30 days) |
| Images with clean text in them | Try Ideogram's free tier first |
| Designer or creator who needs top quality daily | Midjourney Standard billed yearly ($24) |
| Small budget, commercial rights needed | Leonardo Apprentice ($12) |
Tip: run the same prompt on three free tiers before paying — results vary a lot depending on the kind of images you need.
Sources
Prices checked: October 2026. Image tool pricing changes often — confirm on the pricing page before you subscribe.