Best AI Design Tools

The quality benchmark for AI image generation. Produces the most aesthetically polished results across styles — photorealistic, illustrative, abstract, concept art. Essential for designers generating concepts, mood boards, and visual exploration.

Best free tier in AI image generation. Consistent quality, multiple model options, commercial usage allowed. For non-designers who need regular images, this is the starting point — generous free tier, no watermarks.

The non-designer's best friend. AI generates designs, removes backgrounds, resizes for every platform, and maintains brand consistency. Professional designers may find it limiting; everyone else finds it liberating.

For UI/UX designers: AI-assisted auto layout, component suggestions, and design system management. Figma's AI features enhance an already-essential tool. The integration matters more than the AI capability — it's where you already work.

The only AI image generator that handles text reliably. Logos, posters, social graphics with headlines — if your design needs readable text, Ideogram is the only tool that won't butcher the typography.

Open-source image generation you can run locally or via API. Full control over outputs, no content restrictions, and no per-image fees if self-hosted. Best for designers who want fine-tuned control and batch generation.

For Adobe users: AI generation and editing inside Photoshop, Illustrator, and Express. Generative fill, expand, and text-to-image — all within tools you already use. The integration advantage is significant if you're in the Adobe ecosystem.