The AI tools stack

Adobe

Adobe's creative AI suite for image, video, and vector generation, with IP indemnification, custom-trained brand models, and access to partner models like Veo, Sora, and Pika.

Canva

Mass-market design platform with Magic Studio AI features — turn prompts into presentations, social posts, and edits, plus brand kits and templates.

OpenAI

OpenAI's image model, built into ChatGPT. Strong on prompt adherence and readable text-in-image; less aesthetic range than Midjourney.

Black Forest Labs

Open-weight image model with photorealistic output and strong prompt adherence; runs on many platforms.

Ideogram

Image model that handles text inside images noticeably better than competitors — useful for posters and logos.

Krea AI

Real-time AI image and video generation canvas — sketch and prompt simultaneously to see results update live, with access to many underlying models.

Leonardo.Ai

Creative AI image platform with pre-trained style models (photorealism, anime, game assets) and consistent character generation; web UI and API.

Magnific (Freepik)

AI image upscaler and "relighter" that adds realistic detail — turns rough renders or low-res photos into hyper-detailed, photorealistic images.

Midjourney

Image generator known for the strongest aesthetics; widely used by designers, illustrators, and marketers.

Recraft

Design-focused image generator with vector output and brand-style controls; built for design workflows.

Reve

Image generator with very strong prompt adherence — particularly good at typography, complex composition instructions, and subtle artistic direction.

Stability AI

Open-source image generation family (SDXL, SD3, etc.) — the foundation of the open ecosystem. Self-hostable, with a massive LoRA/ControlNet community.