Top AI Image
Generators

AI image generators are transforming visual content creation, dramatically reducing the time and effort required. Tasks that once took hours to photograph or design can now be completed in minutes with a simple text prompt—allowing AI to interpret and generate visuals based on your input.

While there are many tools on the market, Captions integrates directly with top-tier AI image models, streamlining your workflow by enabling you to generate and use visuals within a single platform—ideal for fast-paced short-form content creation.

Read on to learn about the best AI image generators, how they work, and what to look for when choosing a tool for your workflow.

How do AI image generators work?

AI image generators turn text prompts into images using deep learning technology. This type of artificial intelligence helps computers recognize patterns (like text, speech, and audio) and generate new content based on what they learn.

Developers train AI models on vast collections of images and text. When analyzing these datasets, they learn the different purposes of objects, colors, and styles and how they connect. When you enter a text prompt, like "a scene of ancient Greece," the AI analyzes your description, pulls from its learned knowledge, and generates a brand-new image to match your request.

However, AI tools don't just copy existing images from the internet. They create something new by blending patterns and elements from a holistic understanding of how the world works. That's why AI image generators are so helpful for content creators — you can quickly generate high-quality visuals in seconds.

Captions has many AI image generators directly integrated within the platform. With Captions, you don't have to hire graphic designers, pay for expensive software, or invest time in learning new tools. Instead, you can ask AI to make your desired image, and you'll have near-instant results.

How to test and choose an AI image generator

There are many AI image generators, so it's best to test them before deciding which ones to use. Here are a few things to consider.

Usability

The best AI tools make image creation easy for everyone, even beginners. A user-friendly interface means you can start generating images immediately without adjusting complicated settings. If a tool feels confusing or clunky, it could slow down your workflow instead of simplifying it.

Quality and Image Style

Even the best AI art generators vary in their ability to produce realistic, artistic, or stylized visuals. Some excel at creating photorealistic portraits, while others generate "dreamy," abstract artwork. Testing different prompts will help you see if the tool consistently delivers images that match your ideas.

Customization Options

The more control you have, the better your results will be. Look for tools that let you change the resolution, color schemes, and composition. These adjustments are especially useful for creating consistent branding rather than relying on random outputs. For example, you can generate YouTube banners that match your brand logo.

Speed and Accessibility

Some AI generators make images in seconds, while others need more time to analyze prompts before producing results. If you're working on tight deadlines, opt for a faster tool. Also, check whether the model is available on your preferred device and operating system. Some are web-based, while others have mobile or desktop apps.

AI Models

The AI model determines the type of images a tool can produce. Understanding which model powers a tool can help you predict its strengths and shortcomings. For instance, OpenAI's DALL-E 3 focuses on detailed, high-resolution pictures, while Luma AI generates videos using its "Dream Machine" model.

Testing a few AI image generators with the same prompt lets you compare their features to find the best fit for your projects.

Here are six AI photo generators integrated within Captions to help you create image overlays for your short-form videos.

Ideogram 1.0

Most AI models can't yet generate images with accurate text, but Ideogram 1.0 can — and its AI-generated text doesn't look unreadable or blurry. Beyond text rendering, the model produces high-quality pictures in various styles so you can experiment with your text prompts.

Ideogram 1.0 offers a web app, an image editor, and a "Batch Generator" that lets you create multiple photos from a spreadsheet of prompts. Keep in mind that generated images are public by default, meaning anyone can see them unless you adjust privacy settings.

Ideogram 1.0 Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• Generates high-quality images with detailed, readable text
• Includes an image editor and advanced generation features

Ideogram 1.0 Cons

• Images are public by default, so you'll need to adjust privacy settings manually

Luma Photon 1080p

Luma Photon 1080p is a next-generation AI image generator, meaning it builds on existing AI infrastructure to provide the best results. Developed with a new architecture, it offers a 10x higher cost efficiency while maintaining sharp details, rich textures, and impressive outputs.

You can generate consistent characters from a single image to maintain the same look across multiple visuals. Photon also has a powerful image reference system, so you can fine-tune images based on existing visuals rather than starting from scratch.

Luma Photon 1080p Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• Generates consistent AI characters
• Strong prompt adherence, making it reliable
• Image reference system allows for more personalized and controlled outputs

Luma Photon 1080p Cons

• A slight learning curve for optimizing its unique features, like the reference-based generation from existing images
• Not as tested in real-world creative workflows compared to older AI models like Midjourney or DALL-E

BFL Flux 1.1 Pro

FLUX 1.1 Pro is a text-to-image AI model developed by former Stability AI researchers. It's an open-licensed alternative to Stable Diffusion that creates high-resolution images from text prompts.

The model is becoming popular in the AI art community thanks to its detailed results, style versatility, and ease of use. You can access FLUX 1.1 Pro through Captions, where the text-to-image features are built into the platform directly.

While FLUX 1.1 Pro is a newer image generator and not as widely available as Stable Diffusion, it's an excellent option for creators making YouTube videos, Instagram posts, and TikTok content.

BFL Flux 1.1 Pro Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• Customizable and open-licensed, giving you image options from other users
• Gaining exposure among AI artists, resulting in a growing FLUX community
• Faster and more powerful than its predecessor, FLUX.1

BFL Flux 1.1 Pro Cons

• Less widely available than Stable Diffusion

Google Imagen 3

Google Imagen 3 is Google DeepMind’s most advanced text-to-image AI model. It creates realistic pictures from text prompts and builds on previous outputs by improving lighting, texture, and overall composition.

Imagen 3 understands prompts well, allowing you to generate accurate images without advanced writing skills. With improvements in text rendering, Imagen 3 is one of the better AI tools for developing logos, posters, and photos with embedded text — an area where many models still struggle.

Google Imagen 3 Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• High-res generative AI with improved lighting, composition, and textures
• Better text rendering than some AI models
• Handles a wide range of artistic styles, from realism to abstract art
• Accurate prompt interpretation, reducing the need for detailed prompts

Google Imagen 3 Cons

• Limited customization options
• Generates images in a 1:1 aspect ratio, which you can't modify
• Changing a prompt still results in an image similar to the previously generated one

OpenAI DALL-E 3

DALL-E 3 is one of the most user-friendly AI image generators. It’s bundled into OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus premium plan and integrated with Captions’ dashboard, so enter your prompt, and you're good to go.

DALL-E 3 also has AI-powered editing, so you can change images by either adjusting prompts or selecting specific areas to modify. The results can be stunning, though the system sometimes takes creative liberties that don't always match user requests.

OpenAI Dalle 3 Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• Extremely easy to use — just describe what you want, and DALL-E 3's AI model does the rest
• AI editing lets you refine images with text-based changes

OpenAI Dalle 3 Cons

• Image edits can be hit or miss, sometimes straying from requests

Recraft V3

Recraft V3 can generate consistent image sets so that every visual maintains the same style, color scheme, and composition based on your preferences. It's an excellent tool for projects where the entire batch of images should look cohesive. Once you have the final AI-generated picture, you can export it in multiple formats, including JPG, PNG, and SVG.

Recraft V3 Pros

• Integrated within Captions
• Generates cohesive image sets with unified brand styles and colors
• Exports to JPG, PNG, and SVG, making it an excellent option for scalable designs
• Advanced editing tools for in-painting, out-painting, and mockups
• Seamless integration with external design tools Photoshop and Illustrator

Recraft V3 Cons

• More complex than other AI image generators, but you can use Captions for prompt-only image creation
• Requires some learning curve to use Recraft's complete set of features

Turn your ideas into images with captions

With AI image generation now integrated into Captions, creating stunning visuals has never been easier. Whether you need photorealistic images, stylized artwork, or AI-generated graphics with text, you can access the most powerful AI models — all in one place. No switching between apps or juggling different tools. Enter your prompt, and Captions will deliver based on your exact specifications.

After you have the image, import it to Captions' AI Video Editing dashboard. Add motion, subtitles, transitions, and effects to turn AI-generated visuals into short-form video content.

Start creating with Captions today.