Independent AI buying guide

No paid rankings

Last checked 26 Oct 2026

Which AIshould I buy?

The verdict

Best AI for images

Which AI should you buy to create images? Our verdict on the best image generator, an easier all-rounder, and the best free option.

The verdict

Editor's pick · reviewed 12 Oct 2026

Not enough verified data to rank this topic yet, so this is our written pick. It will be replaced by the benchmark ranking as soon as the data is in.

Buy this

Midjourney Standard

$30/mo

Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

Midjourney is the specialist for striking, artistic images, and Standard adds unlimited slower generations. ChatGPT Plus is easier to use and does everything else too.

Runner-up

ChatGPT Plus

$20/mo

Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Best free option

Gemini Free

Free

Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026

Is the free plan enough?

Mostly

For the occasional image, yes: Gemini's free plan includes image generation. For regular or commercial work, you'll want a paid plan.

Right as of 26 Oct 2026. New models and price changes come out often, and we re-check every week. Check back before you buy or renew.

The full ranking

Best AI for images: every subscription we could verify.

Not enough verified data to rank subscriptions for this topic yet.

Best free: not enough data · Best value (paid): not enough data

How this list is made

Scores combine these independent tests (weights in brackets). 100 = the best model from the companies we cover. A subscription gets the score of the best model it includes. Full method.

Leaderboard data: Arena (arena.ai), CC BY 4.0 · Benchmark data: Artificial Analysis (artificialanalysis.ai)

The picks up close

Our opinion first, then the sourced facts behind it.

Top pick

Midjourney Standard

By Midjourney · $30/mo

Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The image specialist. Gorgeous, artistic results, but it only does images and there's no free plan.

Good for

  • Artists, designers and anyone who needs striking images

Not for

  • People who want a general chat assistant
  • Anyone wanting to try for free

What you get with Standard

  • Includes 15 hours of fast GPU time per monthSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Unlimited image generations in relax modeSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Up to 10 jobs in a repeat or permutation batchSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Commercial use of images allowed under general termsSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

  • Annual billing gives a 20% discount on the subscription.Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Unlimited image generations in relax mode on Standard and higher plansSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Images can be used in almost any way once you have subscribed at any pointSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Stealth Mode keeps your images and videos private on higher plansSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel them.Source: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Companies earning over $1,000,000 USD per year must buy the Pro or Mega planSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plan availability and features may changeSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • All plans are subscriptions that renew automatically unless cancelledSource: Midjourney · verified 26 Oct 2026

All Midjourney plans and prices →
Official site: www.midjourney.com ↗

Runner-up

ChatGPT Plus

By OpenAI · $20/mo

Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The all-rounder most people already know. Good at almost everything, rarely the very best at one thing.

Good for

  • People who want one AI for a bit of everything
  • Beginners who want the most familiar option

Not for

  • People who only need coding help inside their editor

AI models included

  • GPT-5.6 LunaSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-5.6 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-5.6 TerraSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6.1 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 AstraSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 LunaSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • GPT-6 SolSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

What you get with Plus

  • Expanded messages and file uploadsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Expanded deep researchSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Projects, scheduled tasks and custom GPTsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Advanced reasoning models with GPT-6Source: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Early access to new featuresSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • More complex and accurate image creationSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Usage limits such as message caps can apply, especially at peak timesSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

  • The free version is available to everyoneSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Go costs $8 per month in the USSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Pro 500 has the highest included usage of the Pro plansSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Works on web, iOS and AndroidSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Ad-free on Plus and ProSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Data is encrypted in transit and at restSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

  • Go plan may show adsSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus cannot be paid annually or for several months in advanceSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Plus has message caps, especially during busy timesSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Free and Go plans may show ads; testing is plannedSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Chats may be used for training unless you opt outSource: OpenAI · verified 26 Oct 2026

Is ChatGPT Plus worth it? →
All ChatGPT plans and prices →
Official site: chatgpt.com ↗

Best free option

Gemini Free

By Google · Free

Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026

Our take (opinion, reviewed 7 Oct 2026)

The obvious pick if you already live in Gmail and Google Drive. The cheap AI Plus tier is hard to beat on price.

Good for

  • People who use Gmail, Docs and Drive every day
  • Students on a budget

Not for

  • People who avoid Google accounts

What you get with Free

  • Free plan includes 15 GB of cloud storage for Gmail, Drive and Photos.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Image generation and editing includedSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Deep Research and Gemini Live includedSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Free plan includes help with everyday tasks from Google's AI.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Deep Research can analyse hundreds of sources in real timeSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026

Strengths

  • The free plan costs nothing with a Google account.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Paid plans are available in more than 140 countriesSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Gemini works inside Gmail and Docs on the paid plans.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Gemini helps with everyday tasks inside Gmail and Docs.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Deep Research can analyse hundreds of sources in real timeSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026

Limitations

  • App usage limits reset every 5 hours until the weekly limit is reachedSource: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Google AI Pro is only available to users aged 18 and over.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026
  • Usage limits may apply to Gemini use.Source: Google · verified 26 Oct 2026

All Gemini plans and prices →
Official site: gemini.google.com ↗

Questions people ask

Can I use AI images commercially?
It depends on the tool and plan. Check the terms on the official site before using images for a business.
Is there a free Midjourney plan?
Not according to the sources we checked. See the comparison table for the current plans.

How did we pick these? Read how we rank. Want every plan side by side? See the full comparison.

Other verdicts

Head to head

Two AIs side by side, on the same test scores as our rankings.

Is it worth it?

Prices per AI