Putting 12 AI Image Generators to the Test
The AI image generator landscape is booming, leaving creatives with an overwhelming number of options. But how do you choose the best tool for your needs? To find out, I conducted a fun, festive experiment: I tasked 12 free AI image generators with a whimsical challenge. My prompt?
“A vector image of a pug in a Santa hat, tangled up in Christmas lights, isolated on a white background.”
Yes, you read that correctly: Pugs. Santa hats. Christmas chaos.
This challenge aimed to assess how these free tools, ranging from established giants to exciting newcomers, would handle a specific brief with a focus on Print on Demand. For a fair comparison, I primarily relied on default settings and used the exact same prompt across all platforms, minimising style adjustments or filter applications. This approach emphasises user-friendliness and provides a clear, consistent evaluation.
The Contenders (in No Particular Order)
- Leonardo
- Vexels
- Playground AI
- Mystic Pod
- Ideogram
- Kittl
- KREA
- SeaArt
- Creative Fabrica’s Flow
- Freepik
- Canva’s Magic Media
- Canva’s Dream Lab
Most of these AI image generators are FREEMIUM. This means you can use some features for FREE, but you’ll likely want to invest in the one(s) you like best to unlock more models, features, and options. Some links are affiliate-based because I love, use, and recommend them.
1. Leonardo AI (Pic Above)
Leonardo AI generates high-quality images fast. It’s fairly user-friendly, but I suspect I’m only using a tiny percentage of its capabilities. There are numerous models and settings to explore, but I mostly just pasted in the prompt and used the default settings. I didn’t love the results I got, but with a few more passes I might have gotten to something I could actually use. I could perhaps use one of the eight I did. What do you reckon?
2. Vexels (Pic Above)
Next up was Vexels. This place is a goldmine for designers! They’ve got tons of templates and graphics, which is awesome if you’re selling stuff on places like Print on Demand or just need cool visuals for your content. Their T-shirt maker and mockup generator are super handy – makes creating eye-catching designs a breeze. Vexels is known for its design resources, but they’ve recently started playing around with AI too. The black and white one got the concept of what I wanted right, but lost the colour which was unfortunate.
3. Playground AI (Pic Above)
Playground AI is exactly what it sounds like – a real playground for AI! You’ve got tons of creative freedom here, but it can be a bit much to wrap your head around at first. Instead of just typing in what you want, you start with a product or template and then go wild with the customisation. You can even upload a picture to remix! It’s not super complicated, just a bit different from the usual AI tools. Beginners might feel a bit lost at first, but it’s definitely a fun platform to play around with.
4. Ideogram (Pic Above)
Ideogram is another freemium AI tool that turns your prompts into stunning images—and unlike most, it nails the text too. Perfect for when your visuals need to say it all! There are loads of options, including Batch Generation for paid members, which lets you upload spreadsheets of prompts (like Canva’s Bulk Create). However, on the FREE version, all designs are public. This makes it unsuitable for selling items unless you upgrade.
5. CG Dream (Pic Above)
CGDream.ai is another AI image generator that’s all about creating and editing visuals. Like a lot of free tools, it sticks you in a queue and makes all your designs public. Big no-no if you’re after privacy! To top it all off, you can’t even delete any images on the free plan, and deleting your account seems like a mystery. Still, if you’re a sucker for trying out new tools, it’s worth a dabble
6. Krea (Pic Above)
Krea is a newer name that’s turning heads for its sharp results and efficient workflow. It’s lightning fast! I just tried it again, changing the aspect ratio to 9:16 and boom – four images in seconds! I think I might be a little in love with this one. It’s definitely worth checking out if you want high-quality images quickly.
7. SeaArt (Pic Above)
SeaArt.AI is another winner for Print on Demand peeps! Just tell it what you’re after, and it’ll whip up some top-notch images, no fancy design skills required. Now, a word of warning – some of the stuff it generates can be a bit, well, dodgy (looking at you, guys making those overly exaggerated women). But hey, it’s a nifty tool for adding an AI twist to your product designs.
8. Creative Fabrica Flow (Pic Above)
I’ve been obsessed with Creative Fabrica for years, constantly grabbing bundles of fonts, icons, and graphics. I love it so much that I even upgraded to a Pro subscription this year! So, imagine my excitement when I discovered they Flow (part of their Studio, but it’s all a bit confusing!), where you can design your own images/graphics using AI. My first attempts weren’t bad, but I’m sure I could get even better results with more detailed prompts. I’ll play with it some more. Try Flow here.
9. Kittl (Pic Above)
Kittl is a creative powerhouse, blending AI-generated images with its existing tools for typography, colour palettes, and layouts. I’ve been using and loving Kittl for nearly three years now, and I’ve even blogged about it here a few times! I’m definitely a fan of their text-based options and have managed a few good AI designs. I think the Advanced version produced slightly better results than the basic Turbo, don’t you agree?
10. Freepik (Pic Above)
It was my first time playing with Freepik’s AI image generator, and I found it to be reasonably quick and easy to use. The free version is credits based, allowing you to do some basic image generation. However, you’ll likely want to upgrade for more extensive use and access to a wider range of features.
11 & 12. Canva’s Dream Lab & Magic Media
Lastly it’s a twofer! Canva has two powerful AI image generators baked in: Dream Lab, powered by Leonardo AI (acquired by Canva in 2024), and Magic Media.
Free users have limited credits, while Canva Pro unlocks 500 credits for each, plus background removal and upscaling. Initial results may vary, but refining prompts significantly improves outcomes. Try it for yourself with a free trial of Canva Pro here.
The Results: A Pug-tastic Palette
The brief was simple, but the results were a mixed bag. Some tools delivered crisp, vector-perfect pugs that would look fantastic on a Christmas mug, while others…Well, let’s just say their festive interpretations needed a bit of artistic license.
This experiment highlights the diverse capabilities of different AI image generators. For Canva users, Dream Lab and Magic Media offer seamless integration. Those seeking maximum control should explore Playground AI and Leonardo. Budget-conscious creators might find KREA and SeaArt appealing, while Kittl excels at producing polished, professional results.
It’s crucial to remember that the landscape of AI art is constantly evolving. What’s considered “commercial use” today may change tomorrow. Always carefully review the terms and conditions of any AI tool you use, especially if you plan to monetise your creations.
Ultimately, while AI can generate impressive images, it’s the human touch – your creativity, your vision, your unique perspective – that truly brings them to life.
Ready to Give It a Go?
I’ve popped affiliate links below for the tools I personally recommend. If you click through and sign up, I might earn a little something to fund my next AI challenge. Think of it as buying me a virtual mince pie. ? Which AI image tool has been your favourite so far? Have you tried generating your own festive creations? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to see what you’re whipping up.
Print on Demand Options
If you haven’t got an e-commerce shop, then you might try one of these free/fee-based options. I’ve had personal experience with each of these and a few more. If you want to have a brain-picking strategy call to discuss any of this, book a 45-min call now.
- Shopify – The foremost online ecommerce platform. Great if you have a budget because it’s gonna cost you straight out the gate.
- Fourthwall – This is the one I went for because it’s 100% FREE and it works in conjunction with Printful.
- Printful – I love this platform and often used it for my one-offs prior to launching FourthWall. I highly recommend them.
- TeePublic – I used to make good money with them but less so now. It’s great because it’s FREE & they have traffic!
About Thea Newcomb
Thea Newcomb is a Canva Verified Expert with nearly 15 years of training experience. She specialises in Canva training, Print on Demand, self-publishing, and leveraging AI tools for image generation and content creation. Thea delivers workshops, webinars, and 1:1 training to clients worldwide. Whether you’re looking to create a physical book, launch a print-on-demand shop, or unlock the full potential of Canva, Thea can help.
As the founder of Totally Content, she celebrates her passion for Retro Tech—vinyl, CDs, MiniDiscs, and other analogue treasures—and Entertainment. She’s currently on a quest to reclaim over 150 stolen records.
