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The best AI art generators: DALL-E 2 and other fun alternatives to try
If you've ever searched Google high and low to find an image you needed to no avail, AI is coming to the rescue.
With AI art generators, you can type in a prompt as detailed or vague as you'd like and have the image you were thinking of pop up on your screen instantly. These tools can help with branding, social media content creation, vision boards, and more.
Also: What is generative AI and why is it so popular? Here's everything you need to know
Even if you have no professional use for it, no worries, the process is so fun that anyone can participate.
DALL-E 2 has made a huge splash because of its advanced capabilities and easy access. However, there are plenty of other AI art generators on the market that can suit different needs.
To put the generators to a test, I put a version of the same prompt, "a baby Yorkie sitting on a comfy couch in front of the NYC skyline" in each one and included a screenshot for your viewing pleasure (yes, I am a Yorkie mom).
Also: How I used ChatGPT and AI art tools to launch my Etsy business fast
Using these observations, I put together a list of the best AI generators and detailed everything you need to know before starting your next masterpiece.
- Powered by DALL-E
- Quick
- Convenient to access
- Need a Microsoft account
- In preview stage
Bing Image Creator features: Powered by: DALL-E | Access via: Bing Chat and browser | Output: 4 images per prompt | Price: Free
Bing's Image Creator is powered by a more advanced version of the DALL-E, and produces the same (if not higher) quality results just as quickly. Like DALL-E, it is free to use. All you need to do to access the art generator is visit the website and sign in with a Microsoft account.
The biggest perk about this AI generator is that you can access it in the same place where you can access Bing's AI chatbot, Bing Chat.
Also: What is Bing AI? Here's everything you need to know
Although Bing does have a site you can visit to access the Image Generator individually, if you have access to Bing Chat you can just ask it to produce an image there. To get your image, all you have to do is ask Bing Chat to draw you any prompt you'd like.
Also: How to use Bing Image Creator (and why it's better than DALL-E 2)
This feature is so convenient because you can get all of your image-generating and AI chatting needs met in the same place.
- Fast
- Not copyrighted
- Accurate depictions
- Confusing credits
- No app
DALL-E 2 features: Powered by: DALL-E by OpenAI | Access via: OpenAI website | Output: 4 images per credit | Price: Free if you registered before Apr. 6, $15 minimum if you register after | Credits: Free credit allowance replenishes every month for pre-April 6 users
OpenAI, the AI research company behind ChatGPT, launched DALL-E 2 last November, and since it has become the most popular AI art generator on the market. Although it has been lapped by Bing Image Creator, it is still a very capable image generator and the blueprint for all the models that followed.
The site is very intuitive and can produce results in seconds. All you have to do is type in whatever prompt you'd like, specifying as much detail as necessary to bring your vision to life, and then DALL-E 2 will generate four images from your prompt.
Also: How to use DALL-E 2 to turn your wildest imaginations into AI-generated art
Not happy with the results? You can tweak it a little and try again.
The credits situation can be a bit tricky because users who registered before April 6, 2023, get to keep the original terms, which included 15 free credits that replenish at the end of every month. Any new users have to buy a minimum of 115 credits for $15, which is a big con of using this AI art generator instead of Bing Image Generator.
- Mobile app
- Remix your own images
- Multiple templates
- One image per prompt
- Subscription cost for full access
Dream by WOMBO features: Powered by: WOMBO AI's machine learning algorithm | Access via: Mobile and desktop versions | Output: one image with a free version, four with a paid plan | Price: Free limited access
This app's major success landed it a first-place spot for the best overall app in Google Play's 2022 awards. With the app, you can create art with the simple input of a quick prompt.
An added plus about this AI art generator is that it allows you to pick different design styles such as realistic, expressionism, comic, abstract, fanatical, ink, and more.
Also: How to use Dream by WOMBO to generate artwork in any style
In addition to the app, it has a free desktop mobile version that is simple to use. If you want to take your use of the app to the next level, you can pay $90 per year, $10 per month, or a lifetime subscription of $170.
- Free
- Unlimited access
- Simple to use
- Longer wait
- Distorted images
Craiyon features: Powered by: Open-source AI designed by developer Boris Dayma | Access via: Craiyon website | Output: Six images per prompt | Price: Free, unlimited prompts
Despite originally having the name DALL-E mini, this AI art generator is NOT affiliated with OpenAI or DALL-E 2, rather, it is an open-source alternative. However, the name DALL-E 2 mini is somewhat fitting, as it does everything that DALL-E 2 does, just with less accurate renditions.
Also: How to use Craiyon AI (formerly known as DALL-E mini)
Unlike DALL-E 2, the outputs from Craiyon lack quality. The good thing? Because you have unlimited prompts, you can continue to tweak the prompt until you get exactly what you're envisioning. The site is also so simple to use, adding to the overall appeal and making this AI generator a strong contender.
- Very high-quality outputs
- No duds
- Discord community
- Monthly cost
- Confusing to set up
Midjourney features: Powered by: Midjourney; utilizes Discord | Access via: Discord | Output: four images per prompt | Price: Starts at $8/month
I often play around with AI art generators because of how fun and easy creating digital artwork is. Despite all my experiences with different AI generators, nothing could have prepared me for Midjourney. The output of this image was so crystal clear that I had a hard time believing it wasn't an actual image someone took of the prompt I put in. This software is so good that it has produced award-winning art.
To create your images, check out our step-by-step how-to here: How to use Midjourney to generate amazing images and art.
A fun perk of Midjourney's platform is that you get to see everyone else's inputs and outputs in the Discord chat.
To show you just how good these renditions are, I included a close-up below.
- Lots of options
- Great quality renditions
- Make great profile pictures
- Limited access
- Long wait
MyHeritage's AI Time Machine features: Powered by: Stable Diffusion | Access via: MyHeritage website | Output: Can produce up to 160 images with 20 different themes | Price: $12, but free during certain windows
Last fall, in a mega-viral TikTok trend, people were sharing AI-generated portraits of themselves on the app. The photos were powered by MyHeritage's "AI Time Machine," which uses 10 to 25 user-inputted photos to create realistic portraits of what you'd look like throughout the ages.
Also: You can use an AI Time Machine to see what you'd look like in different eras throughout history
Although you have to wait 30 to 90 minutes to get the results, the beautiful artwork makes it worth the wait. The trick to getting them for free is refreshing the site and waiting until the free trial window opens up, designated by a "Try it now for free" button. If you can't wait, there is only a $12 fee to have your photo.
What is the best AI art generator?
Bing Image Creator is the best overall AI art generator due to it being powered by OpenAI's latest DALL-E technology. Like DALL-E 2, Bing Image Creator combines accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness and can generate high-quality images in just a matter of seconds. Because it is powered by a more advanced model, in many instances, the images are actually higher quality than DALL-E 2's.
Whether you want to generate images of animals, objects, or even abstract concepts, Bing Image Creator is capable of producing accurate depictions that meet your expectations. It is highly efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective.
AI art generator | Price | Output speed | Accessibility | Main pros |
Bing Image Creator | Free | Fast | Web | Powered by DALL-E, accessible via Bing Chat and browser, quick and easy to use |
DALL-E 2 by OpenAI | Free + Credits (depends on sign up date) | Fast | Web | Accurate depictions, detailed input, generates four images per credit |
Dream by WOMBO | Free + Subscription | Fast | Mobile and Desktop | Realistic renditions, multiple templates, remix your own images |
Craiyon | Free | Slower | Web | Unlimited prompts, straightforward interface |
Midjourney | Starts at $8/month | Fast | Web | Highest quality photos, Discord community, creates art for a variety of uses |
MyHeritage's AI Time Machine | Free + Fee | Slower (wait time) | Web | Creates portraits of you through the ages, accurate outputs, great for profile pictures table |
Note: Prices and features are subject to change.
Which is the right AI art generator for you?
Although I crowned Bing Image Generator the best AI art generator overall, other AI art generators perform better for specific needs. For example, if you are a professional using AI art generation for your business, you may need a tool like Midjourney which delivers consistent, reliable, quality output.
On the other hand, if you just want to play with AI art generating for entertainment purposes, Craiyon might be the best option because it's free and unlimited.
Choose this AI art generator... | If you want... |
Bing Image Creator | The best AI art generator overall. If you have access to Bing Chat, you can get all of your art-generating needs met while chatting with the bot and getting all of your questions answered. The art generator is reliable, quick, and easy. |
DALL-E 2 | The original best AI art generator that combines accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness. It allows users to generate high-quality images quickly and easily, making it an ideal tool for artists, designers, and anyone looking to create unique and original content. |
Dream by WOMBO | The best AI art generator for your phone with multiple templates, realistic renditions, and a mobile app. It also has a free limited access version, making it a great option for those who don't want to spend too much money. |
Craiyon | The best completely free AI art generator with unlimited prompts and a straightforward interface. |
Midjourney | The best AI art generator for high-quality renderings and crystal clear images with a Discord community, allowing you to share and view other users' outputs. |
MyHeritage's AI Time Machine | The best AI art generator for self-portraits. It creates accurate images of what you'd look like throughout the ages. Although it has longer wait times, the results are great for profile pictures. |
How did I choose these AI art generators?
To find the best AI art generators, I tested each generator listed and compared their performance. The factors that went into testing performance included UI/UX, image results, cost, speed, and availability. Each AI art generator had different strengths and weaknesses, making each one the ideal fit for different individuals as listed next to my picks.
What is an AI art generator?
An AI art generator refers to software that uses AI to create images from user text inputs, usually within seconds. The images vary in style depending on the capabilities of the software but can typically render an image in any style you want including 3D, 2D, cinematic, modern, Renaissance, and more.
How do AI art generators work?
Like any other AI model, AI art generators work on learned data they are trained with. Typically, these models are trained on billions of images, which it analyzes for characteristics. These insights are then used by the model to create new images.
Are there ethical implications with AI art generators?
AI art generators are trained on billions of images found throughout the internet. These images are often artwork that belongs to a specific artist, which is then reimagined and repurposed by AI art to generate your image. Although it's not the same image, the new image has elements of artists' original work which is not credited to them.
Are there DALL-E 2 alternatives worth considering?
Contrary to what you might think, there are so many AI art generators other than DALL-E 2 out there. Some produce even better results than OpenAI's software. If you want to try something different, check out one of our alternatives listed above or the three additional options below.
ALTERNATIVE
Nightcafe - Best multi-purpose AI art generator
Nightcafe is a multi-purpose AI art generator that is worth trying becaus it allows users to create unique and original artwork by using different inputs and styles, including abstract, impressionism, expressionism, and more.
ALTERNATIVE
Canva - Best AI art generator for marketing professionals
Canva is a versatile and powerful AI art generator that offers a wide range of options. It allows users to create professional-looking designs for different marketing channels, including social media posts, ads, flyers, brochures, and more.
ALTERNATIVE
Imagen - Best AI art generator coming soon
Imagen uses advanced AI techniques such as deep learning and neural networks to create images that are both realistic and imaginative, resulting in a high level of detail and complexity.