The 9 Best AI Image Generation Models in 2026

In recent years, AI image generation models have undergone an incredible evolution.

What just a few years ago looked like distorted artwork is now almost indistinguishable from professional photographs.

In 2025, we've reached a turning point where the boundaries between AI-generated and human art are increasingly blurring.

In this article, I'll introduce you to the 9 best AI image generation models currently available. I'll go into detail about the different sub-models, their performance characteristics, and use cases.

1. FLUX.1

Release: from August 2024

FLUX by Black Forest Labs has established itself as one of the best all-round models and is available in various variants.

FLUX.1.1 Pro

• Latest version with the highest image quality of all available models
• 4.5 seconds generation time per image
• Almost four times faster than predecessor FLUX.1 Pro
• Photorealistic images with near-perfect anatomy and details
• Available since October 2024 and leading in benchmarks since then

FLUX.1 Pro

• First-class image quality, though slower than FLUX.1.1
• High detail accuracy and excellent text recognition
• Versatile artistic expression options

FLUX.1 Schnell

• Optimized for speed – the fastest variant of the FLUX family
• Ideal for quick prototypes and iterations
• Free version available in the AI/ML API Playground

FLUX.1 Dev

• Developer version with good balance between speed and quality
• Particularly suitable for integrations into applications

The FLUX models are characterized by the following general features:

• Wide range of supported art styles
• Built-in functions for creating images in different resolutions
• Improved AI ethics with fewer biases

FLUX is particularly well-suited for photographers, content creators, and marketing experts who need realistic images without compromising on quality.

You can test FLUX for free with our FLUX AI Image Generator.

2. Midjourney v6

Release: December 2023

Midjourney remains the king of artistic style even in early 2025, more than a year after its release.

• Unparalleled aesthetic quality and composition
• Improved style consistency across different generations
• User-friendly Discord-based interface
• Innovative style parameters and customization options:
  • –style raw: for realistic photography
  • –style cute: for cute, cartoon-like illustrations
  • –chaos [0-100]: for creative variations
• Community-driven development and prompt sharing
• Advanced prompt engineering with weighted concepts

Pricing model:

• Basic: $10/month (approx. 200 generations)
• Standard: $30/month (approx. 900 generations)
• Pro: $60/month (approx. 2,000 generations)
• Mega: $120/month (approx. 4,000 generations)

For art lovers and creative projects where aesthetics are paramount, Midjourney v6 remains the top choice. According to rumors, the company is working on version 7, but until its release, v6 remains an excellent choice for aesthetically demanding projects.

3. Stable Diffusion 3.5

Release: October 2024

Stability AI has made a significant leap forward with Stable Diffusion 3.5. This new generation was released as an open-source solution in three different sizes. It features the following characteristics:

• Significantly improved image quality compared to SDXL
• Excellent prompt adherence for complex requests
• Industry-leading performance despite smaller model size (10.5B parameters)
• Support for high-resolution images with consistent details
• Three model sizes for different requirements and resources

Stable Diffusion 3.5 replaces the older Stable Cascade (January 2024) and SDXL (July 2023) as the flagship model and offers all the benefits of the open-source community:

• Fully open-source and customizable
• Extensive community with thousands of model variants
• Local execution without internet connection possible
• No usage restrictions or costs when self-hosting

The model is ideal for technically savvy users who want full control over the generation process, but also offers easier access for beginners thanks to its improved quality.

4. Imagen 3

Release: August 2024

Google has achieved impressive progress with Imagen 3:

• First-class text rendering in every image – one of this model's greatest strengths
• Excellent context understanding and spatial relationships
• Integration into the Google ecosystem via:
  • ImageFX: Dedicated web platform for image generation
  • Gemini: Google's AI assistant with image generation capability
• "Expressive Chips": Innovative feature for swapping prompt elements
• Improved image quality and realism in December 2024 update

Accessibility:

• Completely free via Google services
• Generates four images per prompt with Imagen 3
• Simple user interface without complex settings
• High-quality results even without expertise

Google has set standards especially in text rendering – an area that was long a weakness of AI image generators. This makes Google's solutions an excellent choice for applications requiring precise text integration.

5. DALL-E 3

Release: September 2023

DALL-E 3 remains an important option even in early 2025. The model offers:

• Unparalleled accuracy in implementing complex prompts
• Excellent text rendering in various languages
• Improved image quality compared to DALL-E 2
• Special training with synthetically enriched image captions
• Integration with ChatGPT for natural language image generation
• Since November 2023: API access for developers
• Since February 2024: Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) tags to label AI-generated images

DALL-E 3 is available on various platforms:

• In ChatGPT for Plus subscribers
• Free via Microsoft Bing Image Creator
• As a standalone API for developers

Despite its age, DALL-E 3 still offers an excellent balance between quality, ease of use, and availability, especially for users already in the OpenAI ecosystem.

6. Aurora

Release: December 2024

xAI, Elon Musk's company, has introduced an impressive image generation model with Aurora:

• Focus on highly realistic image generation
• Excellent prompt adherence for complex requests
• Integrated into the Grok platform for seamless text-image interaction
• Strong performance in naturalistic representations
• Impressive detail reproduction and texture quality

Since Aurora was only released in late 2024, the full potential of the model is still being developed. Initial evaluations show, however, that it can keep up with the leading models in terms of image quality and realism, and in some areas is even setting new standards.

7. Adobe Firefly Image 3

Release: April 2024

Adobe has significantly expanded its offering for professional users with Firefly Image 3:

• Seamless integration into Adobe Creative Cloud programs like Photoshop and Illustrator
• Special training with licensed content and own image databases
• Professional image quality for commercial applications with built-in legal certainty
• Extended editing options after generation:
  • Improved Generative Fill with better consistency
  • More precise Generative Expand function
  • Extended Freeform mode with more creative control
• Industry-specific templates and customizable styles

Special features in Version 3:

• Improved camera angle control
• Extended color palette customization
• AI-based style adjustment for consistent brand identity
• Company-specific customization options

Pricing model:

• Basic functions free with limited credits
• Full version as part of Creative Cloud subscriptions
• Enterprise solutions for businesses

For designers and creative professionals already working in the Adobe ecosystem, Firefly Image 3 offers the best integration and legally secure commercial use options.

8. Ideogram 2.0

Release: August 2024

Ideogram has established itself as a specialist for text integration in images with version 2.0:

• Superior abilities in creating images with text elements
• Perfect text rendering in various fonts and styles
• Versatile style adjustments for different aesthetic requirements
• Intuitive user interface with precise control over the final result
• Excellent performance in creating logos, banners, and advertising materials

Ideogram 2.0 surpasses other leading models in text generation and is particularly interesting for marketing professionals, graphic designers, and content creators who regularly create text-image combinations.

9. Recraft v3

Release: October 2024

Recraft v3 has risen to the top in important benchmarks:

• Leading in comparative performance tests against similar models
• Excellent balance between speed and image quality
• Flexible API integration for developers and platforms
• Intuitive web interface for end users
• Strong performance in detailed artistic styles

Recraft v3 combines accessibility with high performance and is an excellent option for both beginners and advanced users.

Model Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Model for You?

Choosing the right model depends heavily on your specific needs. Learn more about AI image generators compared:

• For highest image quality: FLUX.1.1 Pro, Stable Diffusion 3.5, or Aurora deliver the best results in terms of quality and detail accuracy.
• For text integration: Ideogram 2.0 or Imagen 3 are unmatched when it comes to correct text rendering in images.
• For video generation: Veo 2 offers first-class video generation with impressive quality and length.
• For fast results: FLUX.1 Schnell or Recraft v3 are particularly strong in terms of speed.
• For precise prompt execution: DALL-E 3 still understands best what you really want and is unmatched for complex instructions.
• For artistic projects: Midjourney v6 remains the king of aesthetics and delivers stunning visual interpretations.
• For professional designers: Adobe Firefly Image 3 integrates seamlessly into the Adobe workflow and offers legally secure use for commercial projects.
• For open-source enthusiasts: Stable Diffusion 3.5 gives you all the freedom for technical customization and delivers high-quality results at no cost.
• For enterprise applications: Adobe Firefly Image 3 or Imagen 3 (via Google Cloud) offer robust, scalable, and legally secure solutions.