Best Image, video & design generation
Last updated · 5 tools · How we rank
Midjourney is the best AI image generator for aesthetic quality (from $10/mo, no free plan). Runway is the best all-round AI video suite (free 125 one-time credits; Standard $15/mo). Nano Banana 2.1 via the Gemini API is best for programmatic image editing (about $0.034 per 1K image). Ideogram is best for legible text in images.
Numptr's pick
Midjourney
Still the best-looking stills. No freebies, though.
- Best for
- Brand art, hero images
- Free tier
- No free plan
- Pricing
- Basic $10/mo ($8 annual); Standard $30; Pro $60; Mega $120
Full reviewOfficial site ↗Checked 2026-10-14
The alternatives, compared
Tap a row for free tier, full pricing and sources.
02RunwayVideo generation and editingStandard $15/mo ($12 annual)
The full AI video kit for creators. Credits go quick.
- Best for
- Video generation and editing
- Free tier
- Free: 125 one-time credits
- Pricing
- Standard $15/mo ($12 annual); Pro $35 ($28 annual); Max $95 ($76 annual)
- Checked
- 2026-10-14 · pricing source ↗
03Nano Banana 2.1 (Gemini API)Programmatic image editing at scale$1.50/M input
Daft name, serious image editing. Gets text right too.
- Best for
- Programmatic image editing at scale
- Free tier
- Not on the Gemini API free tier (available in the Gemini app)
- Pricing
- $1.50/M input; $30/M image output ≈ $0.034 per 1K image, $0.113 per 4K image
- Checked
- 2026-10-14 · pricing source ↗
04PikaSocial clipsStarter $10/mo
Cheap and cheerful video for social. Doesn't pretend otherwise.
- Best for
- Social clips
- Free tier
- Free plan available
- Pricing
- Starter $10/mo; Creator $35/mo; Fancy $95+/mo (20% off annually)
- Checked
- 2026-10-14 · pricing source ↗
05IdeogramLogos, posters, thumbnailsPlus $20/mo ($15 annual)
Finally, AI images that can actually spell.
- Best for
- Logos, posters, thumbnails
- Free tier
- Free: weekly slow credits for eligible accounts
- Pricing
- Plus $20/mo ($15 annual); Pro $60/mo ($42 annual); Team $30/user/mo
- Checked
- 2026-10-14 · pricing source ↗
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