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How to choose an AI image generator: 9 questions to ask
Choose an AI image generator by checking nine things before you pay: whether you need to upload photos, whether you need an account, what's really free, how billing works, how big the images are, which shapes it makes, whether your images are public, what the terms allow and whether it adds a watermark.
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The nine questions, one by one
Each question below says why it matters and where to find the answer on any tool's website, so you can check a tool in a few minutes before paying for it.
Do you need to start from a photo, or is a description enough?
Why it matters: This one question rules out many tools. Editing your own product shot, extending a picture or keeping a real face needs a tool that accepts uploads; a new scene or concept only needs text.
Where to check: The feature list or help pages: look for words like upload, image-to-image, edit, inpaint or reference. Our text-to-image vs image-to-image post explains the terms.
Do you need an account to try it?
Why it matters: Signing up costs nothing but your email, and it may opt you into marketing or tie your images to an account. If you only want to test whether a tool suits you, a no-account trial is quicker.
Where to check: The generator page itself: try typing a prompt before signing in. The pricing page usually says which plan needs an account.
What exactly is free?
Why it matters: Free means very different things: a daily allowance that refills, a one-time trial, credits that only last a month, or ad-supported use. Some free tiers also come with conditions, such as public images or limits on how you may use them.
Where to check: The pricing page and its small print: look for whether the allowance resets, what happens when it runs out, and what the free plan's terms allow.
How do you pay, and what happens to unused images?
Why it matters: Subscriptions renew until you cancel; credit and token systems price each image differently by size or model; packs are paid once. Unused credits may expire at the end of the month, roll over, or never expire.
Where to check: The pricing page and billing FAQ: check renewal, rollover and expiry. Our pricing explainer compares the models.
How big are the images?
Why it matters: Websites and social posts need far fewer pixels than print. If you need large prints, look for a tool that generates big images or offers upscaling.
Where to check: Help pages or the download dialog usually state the size in pixels; megapixels are width × height divided by a million.
Which shapes can it make?
Why it matters: Generating at the shape you need beats cropping later, which throws pixels away. The aspect ratio guide explains which shape suits which use.
Where to check: The settings next to the prompt box: look for an aspect ratio or size picker.
Will your images be public?
Why it matters: Some tools show images in a public gallery by default, or only offer private generation on paid plans. That matters for client work, unreleased products and anything personal.
Where to check: The pricing page (look for private or stealth mode) and the privacy policy. Our post on which tools make images public covers the details.
What do the terms say about using the images?
Why it matters: Who may use the images, and for what, depends on each tool's terms, sometimes on your plan, and on the model provider's terms too. Copyright protection for AI images also varies by country.
Where to check: The terms of service: search for commercial, ownership, license and output.
Does it add a watermark or a label?
Why it matters: A visible watermark limits where an image can go. Some tools also add invisible labels or metadata saying the image is AI-made, which some platforms read.
Where to check: The pricing page or help center: watermarks are often tied to free plans.
AIPhoto-Generator's answers
Here are our own answers, so you can see how they work in practice. AIPhoto-Generator is a deliberately small tool: text in, PNG images out (one per prompt on the free plan, up to 4 on paid plans), with no account for the first 3 images.
- 1. Do you need to start from a photo, or is a description enough?
- A text prompt only: no photo upload, editing or upscalingSource: About
- 2. Do you need an account to try it?
- Not for the 3 free imagesSource: pricing
- 3. What exactly is free?
- 3 free images in total, with no sign-up; they don't resetSource: pricing
- 4. How do you pay, and what happens to unused images?
- One-time image packs whose images don't expire, or a monthly plan where unused images roll overSource: pricing
- 5. How big are the images?
- A PNG of about 1 megapixel; one per prompt on the free plan, up to 4 on paid plansSource: aspect ratio guide
- 6. Which shapes can it make?
- 1:1, 4:5, 3:4, 3:2, 16:9 and 9:16Source: aspect ratio guide
- 7. Will your images be public?
- No public gallery: each image is delivered to you by link, and links may expireSource: Privacy Policy
- 8. What do the terms say about using the images?
- We don't claim ownership of your images; use is subject to our Terms and the model provider's termsSource: Terms
- 9. Does it add a watermark or a label?
- We don't add a visible watermarkSource: realism guide
Comparing specific tools
To see these answers for other tools side by side, use our comparisons: each one lists the facts from that tool's own pages, with a link to the source for every line.
Start with the comparison hub, or the alternatives pages if you already use a tool and want to know what else does the same job. We compare published information; we haven't run side-by-side quality tests, so judge the images yourself with a few test prompts.
Questions
Which question matters most?
Whether you need to start from a photo. It splits tools into two groups, text-to-image and image editing, before anything else is worth comparing.
How can I test a tool before paying?
Use its free allowance on the same few prompts you'd use for real work, and compare the results with the same prompts elsewhere. AIPhoto-Generator gives 3 free images with no sign-up, enough for 3 test prompts.
Are credits cheaper than a subscription?
It depends on how much you use and whether unused credits expire. Work out the price per image for your own monthly use; the pricing explainer shows how.
Can I use AI images for commercial work?
That depends on each tool's terms, sometimes your plan, and the law where you are. Read the terms before using an image commercially; ours are in the Terms of Service.
