Free-plan details checked against each provider's official pricing and help pages on October 8, 2026. This guide is based on that research, not on long-term hands-on testing. Free allowances change often, so check the linked official page before you rely on a specific number.
You no longer need design skills, or a budget, to make a blog header, a social media graphic or a quick illustration. Several AI image generators have free plans. But they differ a lot in how many images you get, whether your images are public, and what you're allowed to do with them. Here are seven worth trying, with what each free plan actually includes.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Free allowance (official wording) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini | Image creation and editing included in the free plan | Editing photos with plain-English instructions |
| ChatGPT | Image creation included, with a separate usage limit | Images made in a conversation |
| Microsoft Designer | Monthly credits, 1 credit per AI action | Social posts and invitations |
| Canva | Up to 20 AI uses, shared across AI tools | Turning images into finished designs |
| Adobe Firefly | Free daily generations that refresh every day | Adobe users and commercial work |
| Leonardo.Ai | 150 fast tokens per day | Game art, characters and styles |
| Ideogram | Weekly credits for eligible accounts | Images with readable text |
1. Google Gemini
Google lists image creation and editing as part of the free Gemini plan, along with limited use of its "Nano Banana Pro" image model through Google Flow. You can upload a photo and describe the change you want ("make the background a beach at sunset"), which makes it one of the easiest editors for beginners.
- Limits: Google says paid plans (AI Plus at $4.99/month, AI Pro at $19.99/month in the US) give 2x and 4x the free usage, but it doesn't publish an exact free image count.
- You need: a Google Account.
Official page: Gemini subscriptions
2. ChatGPT
OpenAI includes image creation in ChatGPT's free tier. You describe the image in chat and can then ask for changes in follow-up messages, which feels natural if you already use ChatGPT for writing.
- Limits: OpenAI says image generation has its own usage limit. ChatGPT tells you when you reach it, and you wait until later to make more. No daily number is published.
- You need: a free OpenAI account.
Official page: ChatGPT Free Tier FAQ
3. Microsoft Designer
Microsoft Designer has a free plan built around monthly credits. Each AI action, such as generating an image, uses one credit, and credits refresh at the start of every month. Microsoft says every image is now automatically "boosted", so free users get the same speed as subscribers.
- Limits: Microsoft doesn't state the exact number of free credits. Microsoft 365 subscribers get "up to 4X more credits".
- Good to know: Designer may not be available for personal accounts below the minimum age in your region.
Official page: Microsoft Designer
4. Canva
Canva's strength is what happens after you generate an image: you can drop it straight into a poster, thumbnail or Instagram post. The Canva Free plan includes AI image generation and design generation through Canva AI.
- Limits: Canva Free includes "up to 20 Standard or Premium AI uses", shared across its AI tools. Its most advanced "Ultra" AI tools aren't available on Free.
- Paid option: Canva Pro is US$144/year for one person.
Official page: Canva pricing
5. Adobe Firefly
Adobe offers free daily generations across image, video and audio, and the limits refresh every day. Adobe also states that outputs from its Firefly AI models can be used for commercial purposes. Its pricing page doesn't say whether anything differs for free-plan users, so check the terms if this matters to you.
- Limits: Adobe doesn't publish an exact free daily number.
- Paid option: Firefly Standard is US$9.99/month with 2,000 generative credits.
Official page: Adobe Firefly plans
6. Leonardo.Ai
Leonardo is popular for character art, game assets and specific art styles. It's also one of the few tools that publishes a clear free number: 150 fast tokens per day, resetting daily.
- Public by default: on the free plan your creations are visible to others.
- Commercial use: Leonardo keeps rights to free-tier images but grants you a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use them commercially.
- Paid option: Essential at $12/month.
Official page: Leonardo.Ai pricing
7. Ideogram
Ideogram is known for getting text inside images right, which is useful for posters, logos and quote graphics. Eligible free accounts get "slow" credits every week when signing in with Google, Apple or Microsoft; Ideogram says the amount may vary.
- Public by default: all images are published. Private images and deleting images need a paid plan.
- Ownership: Ideogram says it does not claim ownership of your images and that you may use them for any purpose, including commercial use, under its Terms of Service.
- Paid option: Plus is $20/month, or $15/month billed yearly.
Official page: Ideogram pricing
Which one should you start with?
- Easiest for beginners: Gemini or ChatGPT, since you just describe what you want in chat.
- For finished social graphics: Canva or Microsoft Designer.
- For commercial projects: Adobe Firefly, after checking its terms.
- For text in images: Ideogram.
- For a clear daily allowance: Leonardo.Ai.
Before you publish an AI image
- Check the license. Rules differ by tool and can change, so read the terms before using an image commercially.
- Remember public galleries. On Leonardo and Ideogram free plans, others can see what you create, so don't upload private photos.
- Avoid real people and brands. Don't create images of real people, logos or copyrighted characters.
- Look closely. AI images can have odd hands, warped text or extra objects. Zoom in before you publish.
Found a change in one of these free plans? Tell us through our Contact page and we'll update this guide.
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