7 Best AI Art Generators
Table of Contents
What is an AI Art Generator?
What are the Benefits of Using an AI Image Generator?
Are there any Drawbacks to Using an AI Art Generator?
The 6 Best AI Image Generators
Photosonic (by Writesonic)
How It Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Jasper
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
DALL-E 2
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Deep Dream Generator
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Night Cafe
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Deep AI
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Starry AI
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Best AI Art Editors
Fotor
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
Vance AI
How it Works
Pros and Cons
Cost
What is the Future of AI Art Generation?
What is an AI Art Generator?
An AI art generator is an online platform or software program that can be used to create art from scratch. Once you give the platform text instructions, the program will generate an image in accordance with your instructions.
AI art generation platforms can create all types of art, including realistic images, cartoons, anime, oil paintings, watercolor paintings, sketches, etc. They are also used for creating NTFT art.
AI art generators can also be used to edit or modify a range of images. Modifications include adding or omitting details from photographs, making images darker or lighter, changing colors and sizes of objects in the image, etc.
What are the Benefits of Using an AI Image Generator?
There are many good reasons to use an AI-powered art generator. Cost is a leading factor, as you would save hundreds or even thousands of dollars that would have been spent hiring a design company or freelance artist to provide illustrations for your book, magazine, website, or marketing campaign. All images created by an AI program can be used for both personal and commercial purposes.
AI-powered platforms can generate high quality images in a short period of time, providing immediate results for those who need fast results. Furthermore, using an AI tool to generate images is not hard. Even those who aren't tech-savvy or who don't have an artistic flair can create AI-generated art with relative ease.
Are there any Drawbacks to Using an AI Art Generator?
Perhaps the biggest problem with AI images is that they cannot be copyrighted. This means that any images you generate can be used by other people or businesses, for both commercial and personal purposes. Alternatively, someone can take an image you generate and make additional modifications with your approval or knowledge.
This may change at some point in the future as AI image creation is becoming increasingly human and U.S. copyright law doesn't lay out clear rules for art created by non-human entities.
However, at present, courts have repeatedly ruled that people who use an AI program to create art cannot obtain a trademark for their creations.
Additionally, AI art generation isn't free. You have to pay for an account on the platform you use. What's more, you may have to try out a few platforms before you find the one that best suits your needs.
The 7 Best AI Image Generators
AI art generation features, amenities, and final results vary depending on the platform you use. Even sites that offer multiple options have both their strengths and their flaws. Your budget, the type of art you want to create, and other factors will determine which platform will be best for you personally.
Even so, there are some AI generator platforms that stand out from the rest. The following overview of the seven best AI image generation programs will help you get to know some great program choices so you can make an informed decision when choosing which program to work with.
Photosonic
Best For Ease of Use
Writesonic is one of the better know AI content generation platforms that is quickly expanding its AI offerings. I was able to quickly make a new account and Generate a few test images. I was able to do this all without even entering my credit card information.
Here is my result for "Snow on the mountain"
Result 1:
Result 2:
DALL-E 2
Very Realistic
The DALL-E 2 platform is particularly ideal for generating photorealistic images. It is built on the original DALL-E platform but offers improved results. It is currently available in its beta version, which means users can expect even more improvements and upgrades in the future.
I tested DALL-E2 for "Snow on the mountain." Here are my results.
Result 2:
How it Works
After you are prompted to create and verify your account, you'll be asked to provide your name and phone number. The platform will send you a text verification message so you can log into your new account.
After logging in, you'll be prompted to provide a detailed text description of the image you want to create. Alternatively, you can upload an image to edit. Dall-E 2 can expand images, remove or add features to an image, and more.
If you use the text to image creator, the finished product will be done in a few seconds.
You'll be shown four pieces of artwork in line with your instructions. Move our mouse over any of the images and on the top right-hand corner of any image, you'll see three small white dots. Click on these for additional options.
The edit image option will take you to the image editor, where you can modify your image or even add on to it. When adding on to an image, you can either have the program create new art for the add-on or you can upload art from your computer to add to the newly generated images.
You can also use the image as a starting base for new art by selecting "generate variations" The platform will show the original artwork together with four derivatives of your piece. You can use one or all of these pieces in your work, edit them, make further modifications, etc.
Pros and Cons
Dall-E 2's art creation capabilities are quite impressive. The platform can create art in a wide range of styles, allows for both text-to-art and image-based content generation, and has an editing feature on the site. It's not ideal for graphics, unrealistic images, or paintings but it doesn't do too bad in these fields. Its editing feature could use some additions; however, this is a small issue as there are other free programs that can be used to modify existing photos.
Cost
DALL-E 2 has a generous allowance of fifty free tokens for new users. Fifteen new free tokens are added every month. If you need more than this, you'll need to buy them
On the top right-hand corner of the website, there are three small dots. Click on these to see how many credits you have left and click on "buy credits" if you want to purchase more.
After clicking on "Buy Credits" you'll be taken to a tab where you can select the number of credit "packages" you want to purchase. Each pack has 115 credits and a single pack costs $15. There is no way to purchase credits individually or in smaller quantities, which is a downside for those who only need a few credits to complete a project but don't want to wait another month or two for free credits to accumulate.
Deep Dream Generator
Easy to use
Deep Dream Generator is widely considered to be one of the best creative AI tools on the market. It can generate art in multiple styles but it's particularly ideal for anyone who wants to generate realistic images. Deep Dream Generator can also be used for creating NFT art.
Here is my result for "Snow on the mountain"
Example 1:
How it Works
The platform can create art based on a text prompt or a combination of a text prompt and an image.
To get started, you'll need to create a free account and verify your email address. Once you've done so, it's time to click on the "generate" button and get started.
You'll be asked to put in some information about the image you want to create. Be as detailed as possible to ensure the end result is in line with what you have in mind.
Under the text prompt, you'll see a button that says "add modifiers". Clicking on it gives you a host of keywords you can use to give the AI generator clear instructions. The more instructions you give, the longer it will take to generate output images; however, the wait time shouldn't be more than a few minutes.
Pros and Cons
Deep Dream AI art generator is multi-faceted, allowing users to create art in a range of styles. It is also a top-of-the-line NFT art creator, especially for those who want to create renaissance-style artwork.
Deep Dream does have its limitations. The quality of the artwork is hard to compare to the quality generated on Jasper. What's more, the free version does not have an online editing tool. If you aren't happy with the finished product, you'll either need to generate a new image or download the image and modify it on your own.
Cost
Deep Dream has a free version of the program, which is ideal for anyone who wants to learn about AI art generation without having to pay a hefty monthly fee. However, this free version has only limited features and services.
Deep Dream offers three subscription plans: The Advanced Plan is $19 a month, the Professional Plan costs $39 a month, and the Ultra Plan will set you back $99 a month.
Deep Dream's plans are structured differently than other AI image generate sites. The term "energy" refers to how much energy the platform uses to create images. (To give you a rough idea of what to expect, a simple text to image generation with minimal instructions takes about 25 image "credits").
The recharge feature denotes how much energy is added to your account every hour. Storage space and resolution options also vary depending on the plan you select.
If you want to take advantage of all Deep Dream's features but only create art on an occasional basis and/or create simple illustrations, the Advanced plan will likely suit your needs. However, those who create complex art and/or a steady stream of art will likley need either the Professional or Ultra plan.
Jasper
Jasper is best known as an AI content generation platform but recently expanded its services to include AI-generated art.
Jasper results for "Snow on the mountain"
Result 1:
How it Works
Once you create an account on the site, you'll be able to start creating the art of your choice. To start, provide a description of the image you want to create.
Then select the style, medium, artist/style, and mood of your choice. You'll also be able to put in keywords to clarify the type of image you want.
Because Jasper AI gets its inspiration from images on the internet, it's important to be as detailed as possible when creating an image, especially if the image is meant to be realistic.
Here are two examples of images created on Jasper for comparison.
As you can see, the creator of the more detailed image provided very precise instructions. What's more, he used the phrase "insane detail" to tell the program to ensure the image is realistic. Other phrases that can be used include "detailed" and "ultra-realistic".
Once you have filled in the information on the form, the program gets to work. When it's done, it offers four pieces in line with your instructions. Any one (or all) of these can be downloaded and used; alternatively, you can provide new instructions to adapt the image of your choice on the platform.
Pros and Cons
There are several factors that set Jasper apart from other, similar sites. Jasper is incredibly fast; in fact, it can generate amazing artwork in less than half a minute. What's more, the art is high-quality and can be incredibly realistic.
Jasper can create art in a wide range of styles. It can imitate just about any artist or style of art. What's more, it's intuitive, which means that the more you use it, the more capable it is of understanding what you need.
At the same time, Jasper does have its flaws. There is no free trial version, which means you have to pay a fee before checking out what Jasper can do for you.
It can take time to figure out what keywords or instructions should be given to create the piece of your choice. There are occasional error messages and the program sometimes crops the top of the image.
Cost
Because Jasper's AI art generation program is relatively new, the company has set the price at a very reasonable $20 per month, per user. However, the site warns that this price won't last long. As Jasper's AI art generator becomes increasingly popular, the cost is likely to rise.
Night Cafe
Night Cafe is an incredibly versatile AI art generation platform. It uses DALL-E technology to enable text to image creation and allows users to edit their created images.
Here is my example image I made using Night Cafe for "Snow on the mountain"
How it Works
Once you're on the website, you'll be prompted to create an image. Type in your instructions and select create.
From there, you'll be asked to either log into your account or create a new one. Account creation is free but you'll need to verify your email.
Once you have an account, you'll be taken to the site text to art creation page to choose a creation method.
Once you've selected a creation method, it's time to create something. Bear in mind that you are not allowed to use the name of public figures in your creation.
Near the top of the page, before the text prompt, you'll notice ther is a "show advanced options" button as well as an algorithm option. The DALL-E algorithm does not allow the program to edit your image after generation, although you can do this on your own on another platform.
The Advanced options include features such as the number of images to create and output resolution. These options cost credits, which is something to keep in mind if you're using the free version with an allowance of only five credits per day. At the bottom of the page, you'll be told the "credit cost" of your advanced options selections before proceeding.
When you're done making all your selections, it's time to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click create. The image will generate in a matter of seconds. You can then download it as is or click on the black "Evolve this creation" button.
If you choose to evolve the creation, you'll be taken back to the art style selection page to choose a different art style. The original picture will remain available for download along with your "evolved" image. You can do this as often as you like, but each modification does use credits.
Pros and Cons
Night Cafe generates some pretty impressive images. It's also fast, intuitive, and fairly easy to learn how to use. There are plenty of options available to creators and the fact that you can try out the platform for free before buying credits is a big plus.
Cost
Night Cafe has multiple pricing packages to suit the needs of any creator. The first options shown are the platform's subscription packages. They come with credits along with some additional perks, and Night Cafe promises more features are on the way for each package.
You can also buy credits without signing up for a subscription plan. The more credits you buy, the lower the cost-per-credit will be for you.
There are also options for earning free credits on the platform by taking actions such as sharing images, voting for images, etc.
The free credit options are pretty neat if you're using the site for fun, especially since most AI powered text to art generators don't have such an option. However, as you can see, they don't offer many credits. If you're a professional, you're likely better off just buying the credits you need, as they aren't expensive.
Deep AI
Deep AI was one of the first AI-powered text to image generators on the market. It also offers a plethora of photo editing options.
My DEEP AI result for "Snow on the mountain"
How it Works
To get started, simply type in the type of image you want to create. Be as detailed as possible to include the style of art you want and any background details that should be added. Unlike other text to image generators, Deep AI does not have a drop down menu for adding additional instructions.
Once you click "Generate", the blue Generate button turns gray. It turns blue again when it's done. You'll need to scroll down to see the final product. This image can be downloaded as is or you can modify your instructions to create a new image.
If you want to modify existing images, click on the three white dots on the top right-hand side of the screen. Scroll down to see all the image modification options available on the site. These include adding color to black and white images, improving image resolution, turning a realistic photo of a person into a cartoonized image, and exaggerating textures in an image.
Pros and Cons
Deep AI is incredibly easy to use and can generate art in multiple styles. However, the main point in its favor is that it's completely free. Unfortunately, as an early AI art tool, it doesn't offer the same level of quality as other AI-powered image generation sites. The website user experience can be hindered by the sheer volume of ads on it.
Cost
Free. No feature limitations, trial versions, or subscription plans. Has always been free and will likely be free for the foreseeable future.
Starry AI
Starry AI is a platform that offers both AI-generated artwork and NFT creation.
Here is my result for "Snow on the mountain"
How it Works
To start, go to the site homepages and click the "Create" button on the top right-hand side of the site. You'll be asked to log in with your Google account. Do so, and you'll be prompted to select an AI art style.
Once you select your style, you'll be taken to the image creation page. Enter a detailed prompt explaining what you want your image to look like. Click the Add Styles button to tell the generator what style your artwork shoud be. As you can see, there is also a button for uploading an initial image if you want to give Starry AI a base image to work with.
Canvas size and runtime are two other options. The higher the runtime, the more detailed the image will be. However, bear in mind that the higher the runtime, the more "credits" will be used on creating your image.
Once you're done, the platform gets to work and will notify you when it's done. It says that it takes up to two minutes to generate an image, but be prepraed to wait longer than this time period for the final product. You may need to refresh the page to see the final results.
Pros and Cons
Starry AI offers great options for beginners but perhaps it's best feature is that it can generate NFT art for free. What's more, the technology behind the platform is continually improving to offer improved output image options. Furhtermore, it's probably the best free NFT art generator on the internet.
Unfortunately, the platform's AI art generator is far slower than other art generators, even if one adds only minimal details. Furthermore, its artistic styles don't include realistic images.
Cost
Starry AI has a free plan. Users get five free token a day and can use these to create art in any style.
If you want more tokens, you'll need to purchase them from the program. A one-month Pro plan costs $11.99 but you can 40 credits for anywhere from $7.99 to $15.99. It's an ideal set-up for those who don't want to pay for a pricey subscription plan that includes features and amenities they don't need or want.
Fotor
Best for Editing existing photos
Fotor is a popular photo editing program used by hundreds of millions around the world. Its advanced photo editing capabilities enable users to manipulate images using a range of styles and techniques. Furthermore, Fotor is also one of the best platforms for creating NFT art.
I took the AI image created from WriteSonic and used the AI Editor mode "Warm Smear" to creat this:
How it Works
On the top right-hand side of the site, there is a "Get Started" button. Click it, and you'll see various options. Click on what you want to do and you'll be taken to the editing page of your choice.
The editing page is user-friendly and easy to use even if you don't have previous experience with a photo editor. You can upload one or more images and then use the editing tools to enhance an image, remove the background, enlarge aspects of the image, remove parts of the image, and much more.
If you want to credit or edit an NFT, click on the "create NFT" option on the "Get Started" menu. You'll be prompted to either select a work of art or upload your own.
Alternatively, those who only want to make small changes to photos and/or want to learn more about Fotor's features can click on the "features" tab at the top right of Fotor's homepage. You'll be given various photo editing options and there is also a "how to" tab with some good tips.
Pros and Cons
Fotor allows you to do pretty much anything with existing images, be they photos, graphics, or vector art. Its editing tools are both versatile and user-friendly. What's more, since the art isn't solely created using artificial intelligence, you can copyright your creations.
The downside is that, while Fotor is typically categorized as one of the most popular AI art generators on the internet, it does not do text to image art. It's also not the best option for creating art from scratch.
Cost
Fotor offers basic photo editing services at no cost. The basic package enables you to make basic adjustments, add some effects, and touch up portraits, among other options. There are also some design and layout services and images can be downloaded in either JPG or PNG format.
The Fotor Pro Plan starts at $8.99 a month. There is a free trial available for this plan for those who want to check it out before paying the fee. The Pro plan offers far more services and amenities than the free plan, including premium effects, HD file downloads, auto-resized designs, and ample Fotor cloud storage space.
The Fotor Pro+ Plan, which starts at $19.99 a month, offers even more benefits than the Pro plan. Users gain access to over 100,000 template and design resources as well as 1 million+ stock photos. Images and designs are updated weekly and Pro+ members get priority email support as well.
Vance AI
Great Photo Editor not AI Content Generator
Vance AI is best known for its many photo editing options. It can remove noise and/or portions of an image, sharpen or dehaze an image, add or remove color from an image, turn a photo into an anime or cartoonize it, and more. What's more, the platform recently added an AI-powered art generator to its site.
How it Works
To edit a photo, click on the orange product button at the top of the page. You'll be shown multiple photo editing options; pick the one of your choice, upload your photo, and watch the AI-powered platform work its magic.
If you want to create art from scratch, click Art Generator in the Creativity column. If you don't have an account, you'll be asked to either create one using your email address or sign in using your Google Account.
Next, you'll be taken to an art generator page. Provide detailed information on the type of image you want along with the size and type of artwork the program should use. You can upload a reference image if you want; it's optional but it does help the program understand the type of art you want.
Once you're done putting in your information, you'll be taken to the payment page, before your artwork is generated. You'll be asked to buy a certain number of credits in order to generate the image of your choice. (This requirement is only in place for the art generator, not the photo editing program. The photo editing program gives five free credits per day, and these are enough to do most image modifications).
Pros and Cons
Vance AI's image editing capabilities are second to none. The site is perfect for anyone who wants to modify a photo in any way or turn the photo into anime art. It's also very effective in increasing image resolution. Its art generation program, on the other hand, isn't particularly outstanding. The fact that one cannot even try out the generator without paying ahead of time is likely to put off many people.
Cost
Vance AI has a credit-based payment plan that ensures you only pay for what you need. The cheapest option, purchasing 100 credits, costs only $4.95. For $6.95, you can buy 200 credits. Five hundred credits cost only $11.45 while 1,000 credits can be purchased for a reasonable $17.95.
What's more, the platform offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for those who have only used a small portion of their credits and are unhappy with the final results. What's more, plans can be upgraded or downgraded as desired ad unused credits roll over rather than disappearing at the end of the month.
What is the Future of AI Art Generation?
These are just a sampling of the many AI-powered art generators on the internet. It is clear that using AI to not just modify artwork but actually create it from scratch is a trending concept that will likely become increasingly popular in the years to come.
The ability to generate art without help from a professional artist can radically alter many industries.
Publishers would no longer need illustrators, freelance artists could create their own art without outside help, companies selling products would not need to take multiple pictures of items for sale and bloggers would not have to choose between paying for stock images or scouring the internet for public domain and creative commons, many of which have been used thousands of times by other content creators.
Naturally, AI image generation does have some challenges to overcome. Copyright laws have to catch up to the new technology and platforms need to improve their AI-powered skills in order to improve final products.
Even so, it has much to offer today and creators can look forward to new developments and improvements in the future.
Sources Cited:
Smithsonian Magazine | Rigorous Themes | Unite AI | Codingem | Inside Telecom | Roe Digital | Jasper AI | Fotor | Deep Dream AI | Deep AI | Starry AI | Vance AI | Night Cafe | Art Breeder | DALL-E 2