Best AI tool for generating images (2026)

10 tools that list images as a use case, ranked by our rubric. Fit matters more than score: read each "what it is" line.

#1 · score 92.0/100

Google Gemini

Google's AI assistant; Google AI plans add higher limits and video generation.

💰 Free · UK plans £4.49 / £18.99 / £189.99 per month
chatresearchimagesvideowriting

Visit Google Gemini →
#2 · score 84.0/100

Runway

AI video and image generation platform (Gen-4.5 etc.).

💰 Free 125 one-time credits · Standard $12/mo annual ($15 monthly) · Pro $28
videoimagesfilm

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#3 · score 81.0/100

Grok

xAI's assistant; per cursor.com/pricing, Grok usage is pooled with Cursor in X subscription tiers.

💰 Free (limited) · paid tiers from $8/mo per cursor.com/pricing
chatimagescodingresearch

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#4 · score 75/100

ChatGPT

OpenAI's general AI assistant with GPT-6 models, image creation, deep research, Codex and agents.

💰 Free tier · Go/Plus/Pro: check site (check site)
chatresearchwritingimagescoding

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#5 · score 57.5/100

Ideogram

AI image generator known for text in images; also video models and an API.

💰 Free weekly credits (eligible accounts) · Plus $15/mo annual ($20 monthly) · Pro $42
imageslogosmarketing

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#6 · score 15.0/100

Luma AI

AI video generation (Dream Machine).

💰 Plus $30/mo · Pro $90 · Ultra $300 · free tier: check site
video3dimages

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#7 · score 5/100

Adobe Firefly

Adobe's generative image/video app.

💰 Check site (check site)
imagesvideodesign

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#8 · score 5/100

Canva

Design platform with built-in AI tools.

💰 Check site (check site)
designimagespresentationsmarketing

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#9 · score 5/100

Kling AI

AI video generator.

💰 Check site (check site)
videoimages

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#10 · score 5/100

Midjourney

Image and video generation models from an independent research lab.

💰 Check site (check site)
imagesvideoart

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