Criterion Midjourney Recraft
CategoryAI Image GeneratorsAI Image Generators
In one sentenceSubscription image generator known for stylised, high-detail artwork, with short image-to-video animation.An AI image and vector design platform aimed at designers, with custom styles and editable SVG output.
Problem it solvesProducing concept art, mood boards and stylised visuals usually needs an illustrator and time; Midjourney produces many visual options from a description in minutes.Getting design-ready output — vectors, mockups and consistent brand styles — instead of one-off raster images you have to redraw.
Free planNoYes
Developer APINoYes — docs
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsWeb, DiscordWeb, API
Pricing (summary)Four subscription tiers: Basic $10, Standard $30, Pro $60 and Mega $120 per month, with 20% off when billed yearly ($8/$24/$48/$96 per month). Plans differ mainly in Fast GPU hours, Relax mode, Stealth mode and concurrency. Extra Fast time can be bought separately.
Checked 2026-10-19
A free plan exists but its images are public and not licensed for commercial use; paid individual and team plans grant ownership, private images and monthly credits, with API units purchased separately. Verify current plans on Recraft's pricing page.
Checked 2026-10-18
Strengths
  • Distinctive, high-quality aesthetic
  • Unlimited Relax mode on mid and upper tiers
  • Active model development (V8, V8.1, V8.2 in 2026)
  • Clear commercial terms tied to plan
  • Real vector output, not just raster images
  • Custom styles keep a campaign visually consistent
  • API with documented per-operation pricing
Limitations
  • No free plan or free trial documented
  • No official public API
  • Images are public by default unless on Pro or Mega with Stealth
  • Companies over $1M revenue must use Pro or Mega for commercial use
  • Images made on the Free plan are owned by Recraft, publicly visible and not licensed for commercial use — paid plans change this
  • Subscription credits reset each cycle and do not roll over
  • API units are prepaid separately from subscription credits