Midjourney
Text-to-image AI generator known for the most artistically polished, painterly output of any major image model, now also generating short video clips.
- Best for
- Students and creators who want the highest-quality, most artistic AI-generated images for projects, presentations, or portfolios
- Pricing
- Paid
- Free plan
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Discord
- Category
- Design & Creativity
How students can use it
- Generating custom illustrations for slide decks, posters, or a student project's cover art
- Visualizing concepts for design, architecture, or art history assignments
Key features
- Text-to-image generation with a highly distinctive, painterly aesthetic
- Short AI video generation from images or prompts
- "Relax mode" for unlimited generations on higher tiers (slower queue)
- Stealth mode on Pro/Mega plans keeps your images private
- Web app plus Discord-based generation
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widely considered the most visually striking image model for artistic and painterly styles
- Active community for prompt inspiration and troubleshooting
- Video generation now built in, not a separate product
- Stealth mode available for private work on paid tiers
Cons
- No free tier at all -- the cheapest plan is $10/month, or $8/month billed annually
- Discord-based workflow (or the web app) has a learning curve for prompt syntax
- Fast GPU hours are metered and run out quickly on the Basic plan
- Ongoing debate over training-data copyright affects the whole image-generation category, not just Midjourney
Is Midjourney free?
No. This tool is paid.
How to use it well
Use it to explore visual concepts fast, but write your own artist statement explaining the choices you made
Limitations to know about
No free tier -- factor the monthly cost into any class project budget
Getting the style you want takes iteration and prompt-writing practice
Check your institution's AI-generated-image policy before submitting Midjourney art for a grade
Frequently asked questions
Does Midjourney have a free trial?
No. Midjourney removed its free trial due to abuse; every account needs a paid plan starting at $10/month.
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