MidjourneyBest for style
V8.2 is the default model, with personalization and an Edit Model for references and local edits. A polished, artistic look from short prompts.
Read the review →GPT ImageBest for instructions
OpenAI's DALL-E successor in ChatGPT and the API, with stronger editing, layouts and text rendering, plus ChatGPT Images 2.5.
Read the review →FluxBest for layout control
FLUX 3 Image places elements with bounding boxes, combines up to ten references and outputs up to 4K.
Read the review →Nano BananaBest for consistency
Google's image model keeps up to five characters and 14 objects consistent in one workflow, from 512px to 4K.
Read the review →IdeogramBest for text
Ideogram 4.0 is an open-weight model built for readable multilingual text and bounding-box layout control.
Read the review →Leonardo AIMost options
Several models and style controls in one browser-based platform for people who like to experiment.
Read the review →Stable DiffusionMost control
Open models and a huge ecosystem for people who want to customise everything.
Read the review →Adobe FireflyBest for Adobe users
Generative features inside Photoshop and other Adobe apps, strong for editing and expanding images.
Read the review →
There is no single best AI image generator. The right one depends on the look you want, how much control you need and where you already work. Image models changed a lot in 2026, so this page lists current versions with dates.
How we choose
We compare each maker’s own description of its current model, then test with real prompts. We look at how close the result is to the brief, how much effort it takes, how much control you get and how clear the pricing and limits are. Tools change quickly, so we update this page when they do. See the AI model tracker for versions and sources, last checked October 7, 2026.
What changed in 2026
- OpenAI removed DALL-E from its API on May 12, 2026 and now offers GPT Image models.
- Midjourney’s V8.2 became the default on July 24, and its Edit Model arrived on August 27.
- Black Forest Labs released FLUX 3 Image on October 1.
- Ideogram 4.0 arrived on June 3 as an open-weight model.
Want a closer look?
Read Midjourney vs GPT Image, Midjourney vs Flux, GPT Image vs Nano Banana, Ideogram vs GPT Image, Midjourney vs Leonardo AI, or our four-way comparison.