KI-Agenten.shopAI image generators: selection, costs and usage rights
Choose by subject, editing, text accuracy and actual usage rights. This source comparison provides no original benchmark scores or overall winner.
Tools and limitations
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates. Choose by subject, editing, text accuracy and actual usage rights. This source comparison provides no original benchmark scores or overall winner.
| Tool | Use | Access and limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | Image styling, variations and reference editing; default V8.2. | V8.2 uses Edit Model instead of Omni Reference; do not transfer older-version features. |
| GPT Image / ChatGPT Images | Create and edit images conversationally; current family 2.5. | Choose ChatGPT or API separately. Model, plan and interface determine features and limits. |
| FLUX.2 | API images and selected local model variants. | klein 4B: Apache 2.0; 9B: Non-Commercial license. Not every variant permits free commercial use. |
| Stable Diffusion | Local deployment and adaptation of available weights. | Community licensing has revenue conditions; commercial organizations above USD 1 million annual revenue should check enterprise licensing. |
| Ideogram | Image and text compositions to evaluate on your own examples. | Credits depend on model and operation; API billing is separate from the app subscription. |
| Adobe Firefly | Image work inside Adobe workflows. | No blanket legal guarantee: check model, plan, input rights and applicable contractual coverage. |
| Leonardo AI | Image variations and model-based style workflows. | Free creations are public; check private generation and usage rights for the chosen plan. |
| Google Gemini Image | Native image generation and editing with Gemini models. | Gemini API lists 17 August 2026 as shutdown date for Imagen 4 variants, replacing them with gemini-3.1-flash-image. This does not describe every Google product. |
| Recraft | Images, vectors and design editing. | The provider says Free outputs are public and not commercially licensed; paid generation has different terms. |
Costs and access
Monthly Midjourney plans: Basic USD 10, Standard 30, Pro 60 and Mega 120. Annual billing is a different offer. Stealth requires Pro/Mega; check allowances and additional usage.
ChatGPT subscriptions and API consumption are separate costs. GPT Image 2.5 includes Sunburst and Flare; equal token rates do not mean equal image costs. Include quality, dimensions, inputs and retries.
A comparable practical test
- Define three approved briefs: a reference-based product, exact text in an image and a targeted edit.
- Keep instructions, dimensions, attempt count and budget consistent. Record the model and settings.
- Check text errors, subject fidelity, editability and correction time. Calculate cost per usable result rather than first generation.
- Before uploading, check rights to people, brands and references, publication, retention and the license of the actual access route.
Related reports
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Midjourney: versions, costs and reference images
Image styling, variations and reference editing; default V8.2. V8.2 uses Edit Model instead of Omni Reference; do not transfer older-version features.
GPT Image: ChatGPT, API and migration from DALL·E
Create and edit images conversationally; current family 2.5. Choose ChatGPT or API separately. Model, plan and interface determine features and limits.
Midjourney vs GPT Image vs FLUX: choose by task
Choose by subject, editing, text accuracy and actual usage rights. This source comparison provides no original benchmark scores or overall winner.
AI Video
Related reports
AI voice and audio: voiceovers, music and transcription
Voiceovers need speech generation, songs need music generation, and subtitles need transcription. Check language, exports and usage rights for your intended outcome first.
Compare AI tools by task
Related reports
Official sources
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Midjourney: versions
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Midjourney: plans
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
OpenAI: image API
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
OpenAI: ChatGPT Images
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
OpenAI: API deprecations
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
FLUX.2: models and licenses
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Stability AI: license
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Ideogram: plans
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Adobe: enterprise partner models
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Leonardo AI: plans
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Google: Gemini image generation
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Google: Gemini API deprecations
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
Recraft: usage and plans
Sources checked on 16 September 2026. Provider documentation establishes features and terms, not independent superiority. Linked reports may have different review dates.
A comparable practical test
Which image generator is best?
Without shared tasks and reproducible results, an overall winner is not established. Choose the tool that meets your acceptance criteria with acceptable rework.
Is a free model free for businesses?
No. Download, API, free plan and commercial license are distinct. Local deployment also incurs hardware and operating costs.
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