I’ve seen some weird things this week: bearded women, six-legged reindeer, and a guy driving a car with his head sticking out of the windshield. But none of these images were real. I was testing AI image generators looking for a favorite, and my top choice may be installed on flagship Android phones.

AI image generators turn text prompts into images. Their popularity peaked in 2022 when text-to-image AI models like DALL-E, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion attracted the attention of technology communities. These still exist and have improved, but my favorite is Google Gemini.

Gemini is Google’s AI chatbot and I tested its image generation capabilities as well as nine alternatives. Although far from perfect, it’s the one I’m most happy with. It’s simple to use and produces compelling images in just a few iterations.

What can the Gemini AI image generator do?

And what he can’t do unless you pay

To generate images, open the Gemini app on your phone or go to Google Gemini on the web. Then, type your prompt and an image appears moments later.

Unlike alternatives, Gemini generates images for free. However, only Gemini Advanced subscribers can request images of people. The ability to visualize people was removed from Gemini in early 2024 after controversy but was improved and brought back. Paid and free users get a high-resolution image (2048 x 2048 pixels) generated by the same AI model, Google’s Imagen 3.

Gemini cannot generate images containing children or people identifiable as celebrities. Requests for violent, sexual or disturbing content will not be processed. Google Prohibited Use Policy The page goes over the ways in which it is not acceptable to use its generative AI.

What are the alternatives to Gemini AI images?

There are dozens of AI image generators, but powerful alternatives to Gemini come from names you’ve heard before. ChatGPT and Microsoft Designer leverage the DALL-E 3 AI model and give you several free images per day. In my experience, Gemini images are more realistic and accurate. Adobe’s Firefly is worth considering for both fictional and artistic images. This falls apart when you ask for something that requires a realistic-looking human.

Stable Diffusion, MidJourney and Flux.1 are Gemini’s most worthy rivals, especially for professional applications. However, I wasn’t able to test them as thoroughly as I wanted. Nonetheless, the results look promising and could match or exceed Gemini’s capabilities in some uses.

This makes Gemini my favorite AI image generator

It’s not just that it’s free to try

The images above were generated using Google Gemini.

Gemini reminds me of Google Search in its heyday. I type my request, hit enter, and quickly get results without friction or distraction. The simplicity and ease of use are among the main reasons I love Gemini. I also like the high quality of the generated images. More often than not, I get what I expect. When I don’t, it’s easy to ask for revisions because Gemini considers previous prompts by default.

Geminis make mistakes and have their faults. For example, he cannot count or spell well. You will find it difficult to get an exact count of something or any text in the generated image without errors. I’ve found that most AI image generators have just as much difficulty unless they are optimized for the job (like Ideogram is intended for generating text).

I don’t consider Gemini to be the ideal image generator for any specific application, but I think it is suitable for many home and professional uses. Here are a few that come to mind:

• Need images or clipart for a website or presentation? Gemini fills in the gaps if stock image websites don’t have something you want.

• Animators and game developers can use Gemini to generate textures and backgrounds or quickly visualize concept art.

• Architects and designers can preview ideas for color or material combinations, products or room layouts.

• Marketers can produce eye-catching graphics for campaigns.

• Teachers can create visual aids for subjects or compile coloring books for younger children.

• Entrepreneurs can generate AI images to sell on shirts or mugs in their stores.

• Create a new wallpaper or greeting card that no one else has.

Another factor in Gemini’s favor is that generating images is free as long as you don’t want people in your design. For many, this will be their first contact with text-image generation. Kudos to Google for making a useful tool widely accessible.

Google Gemini and AI could change the way we create forever

I felt like a kid let loose in a candy store testing Google Gemini and the alternative image generators. It’s a new world with new possibilities that could transform the way we work, play and express ourselves.

Gemini’s AI image generation has its limitations, just like its competitors. However, not all offer the accessible, simple process and compelling results that I saw with Gemini. This gives it the edge in my book, and it’s exciting to see how far we’ll go if we give AI a few more years to evolve.