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Image generators compared: which one for which task

Nine image generators side by side, one prompt for a fair comparison, which generator for which task, how to compare and common mistakes.

Image prompt engineering Updated

In short

There is no best image generator — each leads in its own task. Midjourney gives the most aesthetic, “artistic” pictures. GPT Image in ChatGPT follows long, complex instructions best and writes text in images well. Google’s Gemini edits pictures by a reference and keeps the same character or product across a series. FLUX and Stable Diffusion are open models that run on your own server and can be trained on your style. Ideogram is strongest at typography, Recraft at vector graphics and brand styles, and Adobe Firefly is trained on licensed content, which matters for commercial use. The choice is made by running one prompt through several generators and comparing the results on your task.

9 image generators compared

Each with its strong side, text in images, editing by a reference and where it runs.

GeneratorStrong sideText in imageEditing by referenceWhere
Midjourney aesthetics, artistic styles medium style and character references website
GPT Image complex instructions good yes, in a dialogue ChatGPT, API
Gemini editing, consistent series good yes, several images Gemini app, API
Imagen photorealism good limited Google Cloud, API
FLUX photorealism, open models good yes, editing models API, own server
Stable Diffusion open, trainable on your style weak yes, with add-ons own server
Ideogram typography, posters the best yes website, API
Recraft vector, icons, brand styles good yes website, API
Adobe Firefly licensed training data medium yes, in Photoshop Adobe apps, website

One prompt for a fair comparison

The prompt checks four things at once: a person, a product, text in the image and a clear light.

The test prompt

Hands, a face, a word on the cup — the places where generators most often fail.

test.txt 
# One prompt for a fair comparison: a person, a product, text and a clear light
A barista in a green apron hands a paper coffee cup across the counter,
the cup has the word "MORNING" printed on it, small sunny café,
editorial photography, medium shot at eye level, soft window light,
warm natural colours, friendly mood, 3:2 format

Which generator for which task

A starting point; the final choice is made on your own prompts.

TaskStart withWhy
Mood pictures for a brand Midjourney the strongest aesthetics
A picture by a detailed brief GPT Image follows long instructions
Product scenes by a photo Gemini or GPT Image keep the product from the reference
One character in a series Gemini or Midjourney consistency across images
Posters and covers with text Ideogram the best typography
Icons and vector illustrations Recraft returns vector files
Retouching and extending photos Adobe Firefly built into Photoshop
Thousands of images on own server FLUX or Stable Diffusion open models, no bill per image
A unique brand style Stable Diffusion or FLUX can be trained on your images

How to compare generators: 6 rules

  1. 01

    The same prompt

    Otherwise you compare prompts, not generators.

  2. 02

    Several attempts each

    Four images per generator — one lucky picture proves nothing.

  3. 03

    Your own task

    Prompts from your real work, not from someone else’s gallery.

  4. 04

    Criteria in advance

    Following the prompt, realism, hands and faces, text, style.

  5. 05

    Price and speed

    For a catalogue of thousands of images they matter as much as quality.

  6. 06

    Rights to the images

    The terms of commercial use are read before choosing, not after the campaign.

Common mistakes when choosing a generator

  1. Choosing by a gallery

    Galleries show the best of thousands of attempts by experienced users.

  2. One generator for everything

    Posters, product scenes and icons are different tasks with different leaders.

  3. Ignoring the terms

    Free plans and some open models do not allow commercial use.

  4. Expecting the same result from one prompt

    Each generator reads words differently; prompts are adjusted for each.

  5. Forgetting hidden marks

    Some generators add invisible watermarks — it matters for some platforms and clients.

Questions about image generators

Which image generator is the best?

None in general: Midjourney for aesthetics, GPT Image for complex briefs, Ideogram for text, Recraft for vector.

Can generated images be used commercially?

Usually yes on paid plans; the terms of each service and model are checked before use.

Which generator writes text best?

Ideogram, then GPT Image and Gemini; long texts are still added in the layout.

Can a generator run on our own server?

Yes, FLUX and Stable Diffusion are open models; a server with a graphics card is needed.

Do generators understand prompts in other languages?

Most do; English still gives the most precise control over style.