Discover the Futuristic AI-Image Generators of 2023

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Testing AI Image Generators
   • Criteria for Selection
   • Prompt and Seeds
   • Strengths and Weaknesses of AI Image Generators
3. Not Safe for Work (NSFW) Filters
   • Family-Friendly vs. Highly Sexualized or Gory Images
   • Blocking or Ignoring Double Meanings
4. Image Generation Speed
   • Variation in Generation Time
   • Slowest and Fastest AI Generators
5. Control and Customization Options
   • Advanced Settings and Controls
   • Aspect Ratio and Upscaling
6. Free Trials and Paid Features
   • Best Free Trial Offers
   • Additional Features with Paid Subscriptions
7. User Registration and Account Features
   • Benefits of Registering
   • Advanced Gallery Features
8. Extra Features and Tools
   • Image-to-Image Prompts
   • Style Transfer Tools
   • Guided Prompting with Filters, Presets, and Styles
   • Stable Diffusion Models and Variations
   • Face Enhancement and Outpainting Tools
   • Other Unique Tools
9. Summary of Best AI Image Generators
10. Conclusion

Article

Introduction

In the fast-paced world of AI image generators, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the multitude of options available. As an avid fan of AI image generation tools, I have tested over 30 stable diffusion and dial e-based AI image generators to compile a list of the top contenders. In this article, we will explore the key features, strengths, and weaknesses of these AI image generators, helping you make an informed decision. But before we dive into the details, let's establish the criteria for selection and discuss the importance of prompt and seed consistency.

Testing AI Image Generators

To ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation, I established specific criteria for selecting the AI image generators to be included in my list. These criteria included an easy-to-understand browser-based user interface and a free trial program. I wanted to focus on generators that were accessible and user-friendly. Additionally, I used a consistent prompt for each AI image generator, featuring a fantasy scene, a character, and a touch of photo realism. This allowed me to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each generator based on the same prompt and seed.

Not Safe for Work (NSFW) Filters

When testing these AI image generators, I was curious to see how they handled not safe for work (NSFW) content. Some creators desire highly sexualized or gory images, while others prefer a family-friendly environment. To my pleasant surprise, almost all of these AI image generators were effective in flagging or blocking NSFW content. Even when certain words were prompted, the generators either ignored double meanings or actively prevented the creation of explicit or sexualized images. However, it's crucial to note that despite blocking explicit content, some generators still produced subtly sexualized results without prompting. Quasi Night Cafe and Dream Up, in particular, generated the most risqué images among the tested AI image generators.

Image Generation Speed

One crucial factor to consider when using AI image generators is the speed at which they generate images. I conducted a test by generating an image using the same prompt on the free tier of each generator. The results varied significantly, with some AI generators delivering results in less than 10 seconds, while others took minutes to generate an image. Lexicon Night Cafe and Pixels were the fastest generators, rendering images in under 10 seconds. Dreamlike and Pollinations were the slowest, sometimes taking minutes to generate an image. It's important to consider the trade-off between image quality and generation speed when selecting an AI image generator.

Control and Customization Options

Each AI image generator offers varying degrees of control and customization options. Some provide more advanced settings, allowing you to fine-tune the output according to your preferences. For example, Dreamlike boasts a full complement of advanced settings, including seed quality, steps, and sampling choices. Pixels AI also offers extensive control over the image generation process. On the other hand, some generators have more limited controls, allowing only the adjustment of image quality or the number of generated images. However, nearly all AI generators now offer a variety of aspect ratios, moving away from the traditional one-to-one ratio and providing both portrait and landscape options. Deep Dream, Dream Up, and Lexica stand out with their wide range of aspect ratios, while Starry AI offers additional ratios with a subscription. It is a significant improvement from the past when aspect ratio options were limited.

Free Trials and Paid Features

If you're not ready to commit to a particular AI image generator and want to try before you buy, most generators offer free trials. However, the quality and features available in these trials vary. Pollinations and Simulai are two generators that provide free tiers, allowing you to explore their capabilities without immediate registration or payment. Quasi, on the other hand, offers one month of unlimited image generation in its free trial. Lexica sets itself apart with 100 free image generations per day, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a generous free trial. While some generators started as free services, it's important to note that they may transition to paid models in the future. So, make the most of the free trials while they are available.

User Registration and Account Features

To access the full range of features offered by AI image generators, it is usually necessary to register an account. This allows you to save and organize your images in a gallery, making it easier to manage and revisit your creations. Night Cafe boasts one of the most advanced galleries, allowing you to rate images, edit metadata, and sort images into collections. It even offers the option to add NFT links, buy prints, and share your images on social media. Dreamlike also provides gallery features, allowing you to rate images and save favorites into collections, though its sorting options are more basic. Lexica takes community interaction to the next level, offering extensive resources for learning and inspiration. Having your own account enhances the overall user experience when using AI image generators.

Extra Features and Tools

What sets some AI image generators apart are their extra features and tools that enhance the creative process. Image-to-image prompting, which allows you to add an image as a reference for your text prompt, is becoming a standard feature in AI image generators. However, Dream Up and Quasi are the only two generators in this list that do not offer this feature. Lexica stands out in its ease of incorporating images from other creators as inspiration for your prompts. Some generators also offer style transfer tools, which enable you to map a particular style onto your image. Deep Dream and Night Cafe excel in this regard, providing style transfer options along with a wide array of filters, presets, and styles to guide your prompting. Additionally, stable diffusion models play a significant role in the output of these AI image generators, and some offer multiple models to choose from. Deep Dream, for example, offers fusion, artistic, fantasy, photoreal, cyberspace, quantum, and stable diffusion options. Lexica utilizes its own aperture model, which has garnered high praise in the AI community. The ability to make variations or clones of your favorite images is a feature that several generators support, including Deep Dream, Dream Up, Lexica, Night Cafe, Simulai, and Starry AI. Furthermore, Deep Dream and Pixels AI provide a face enhancement tool that improves the realism of facial features. Lexica's automatic outpainting tool is another unique offering that adds more background to your image. Pollinations, despite its slower generation speed, distinguishes itself with features like text-to-video and the photo 3D tool.

Summary of Best AI Image Generators

After extensive testing and evaluation, my top recommendations for AI image generators are Lexica, Night Cafe, Google's Deep Dream Generator, and Dreamlike Art. These generators consistently produced high-quality images, each offering a set of distinctive features that sets them apart from the rest. Lexica, in particular, stands out with its extensive community resources and commercial license. Night Cafe excels in its advanced gallery features, making image management and organization a breeze. Deep Dream Generator, despite its slower speed, provides a wide range of stable diffusion models and variations to explore. Dreamlike Art, while not the fastest, allows users to create numerous high-quality images for free.

Conclusion

The world of AI image generators is teeming with options, making it an exciting yet challenging landscape to navigate. With this comprehensive evaluation of AI image generators, you can now make an informed decision when choosing the right tool for your creative needs. Consider factors such as image quality, generation speed, control options, free trials, extra features, and user account features. Embrace the artistic possibilities and enjoy the amazing creations that AI image generators enable. Remember to try these generators for yourself and share your thoughts and experiences. Let your imagination run wild as you explore the profound capabilities of AI image generation. The future of digital art is at your fingertips. Let's make something amazing together!