Midjourney
Cappy’s Quick Take
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | An AI image generator known for artistic, high-quality images, which can also turn images into short videos |
| Pricing | Basic $8/month · Standard $24/month · Pro $48/month · Mega $96/month (annual billing) |
| Free plan | No free plan and no free trial |
| Works with | Its own web app at midjourney.com, plus Discord |
| Best for | Creatives who care most about image quality and style |
| Cappy Score | 4.6/5 |
What is Midjourney?
Midjourney is an AI image generator. You type a description, and it creates a set of images you can vary, upscale and download. It’s widely known for its artistic, polished style, which is why it’s popular with artists, designers and marketers.
You can use it in its web app at midjourney.com or through Discord. Besides still images, Midjourney can animate images into short video clips.
Plans are measured in GPU time, not a fixed number of images. Fast time generates images right away, and Standard and higher plans add unlimited Relax mode, a slower queue that doesn’t use your Fast time.
Key features
- Text to image: create a grid of images from a written prompt.
- Variations and upscales: remix any result, upscale it, or zoom and pan to extend the scene.
- Style controls: guide the look of your images with style references and personalization.
- Video: animate your images into short clips, in SD or HD depending on your plan.
- Relax mode: generate unlimited images in a slower queue on Standard, Pro and Mega.
- Stealth mode: keep your images and videos private on Pro and Mega.
Pricing plans
| Plan | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $8/month billed annually ($96/year), or $10 billed monthly | Occasional use, with 3.3 hours of Fast GPU time a month |
| Standard | $24/month billed annually ($288/year), or $30 billed monthly | Regular users who want 15 Fast hours plus unlimited Relax images |
| Pro | $48/month billed annually ($576/year), or $60 billed monthly | Professionals who need 30 Fast hours and private Stealth mode |
| Mega | $96/month billed annually ($1,152/year), or $120 billed monthly | Heavy users and studios who need 60 Fast hours a month |
Which plan should you pick? Choose Basic if you only make images now and then. Standard is the best value for most people, because unlimited Relax mode means you won’t run out. Choose Pro if your images must stay private, or if your company earns more than $1 million a year.
Midjourney free plan: what to know
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free plan | None |
| Free trial | None |
| Cheapest plan | Basic, $10 a month or $8 a month billed annually |
| Extra GPU time | $4 per hour on any plan |
The catch: There’s no way to try Midjourney for free, and your images are visible in Midjourney’s public gallery unless you pay for Pro or Mega. Companies earning more than $1 million a year must use Pro or Mega.
Who is Midjourney for?
- Artists and illustrators: explore styles and create finished artwork.
- Designers: build mood boards and concept art quickly.
- Marketers: create campaign visuals and social images.
- Content creators: make thumbnails, covers and eye-catching posts.
Consider something else if you need a free plan, accurate text inside images, or private images on a small budget.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Some of the most striking, artistic images of any AI tool
- Unlimited Relax mode from Standard upward
- Web app plus Discord access
- Can animate images into short videos
Cons
- No free plan or free trial
- Images are public unless you pay for Pro or Mega
- Usage is measured in GPU time, which is harder to predict
- Larger companies must buy Pro or Mega
Midjourney alternatives
| Tool | Why consider it |
|---|---|
| Ideogram | Accurate text in images and a free weekly allowance |
| Leonardo.ai | Free daily tokens and a choice of many AI models |
| Adobe Firefly | Built for commercial use and works with Adobe apps |
| Recraft | Vector graphics, icons and brand-consistent styles |
How to get started with Midjourney
- Go to midjourney.com and sign in.
- Choose a plan: there’s no free option, so pick Basic to start small.
- Type a prompt describing the image you want.
- Vary, upscale and download the results you like.
Tip: Start on monthly billing for a month to see how much GPU time you actually use, then switch to annual billing to save 20%.
Frequently asked questions
Is Midjourney free?
No. Midjourney has no free plan and no free trial. The cheapest plan is Basic at $10 a month, or $8 a month billed annually.
How much does Midjourney cost?
Basic costs $10, Standard $30, Pro $60 and Mega $120 a month. Annual billing saves 20%: $8, $24, $48 and $96 a month.
Are my Midjourney images private?
Not by default. Images are visible in Midjourney’s gallery unless you use Stealth mode, which is only on the Pro and Mega plans.
Can I use Midjourney images commercially?
Yes, subscribers can use their images commercially. Companies making more than $1 million a year in gross revenue must be on the Pro or Mega plan.