Why 8/10: Top pick for image generation: a consistently striking default style, a mature web app and clear subscription tiers with commercial use. Points off for no free plan, privacy (Stealth Mode) only on the two top tiers, and weaker precision for exact layouts and text than some rivals.
By ToolSift editorial. Last checked . Prices change often; "check site" means verify with the vendor.
What it does
Midjourney is an independent image-generation service. Its updates pages show that V8 launched as an alpha in March 2026 and that V8.1 later became the default image model, with improvements to prompt adherence and native 2K output, plus editing tools (inpainting and outpainting) in later updates. Midjourney also has a video model (V1, launched June 2025) that animates images into short clips; the plan comparison shows SD video on every plan and HD video from Standard upwards.
You work mainly in the web app at midjourney.com, where you prompt, organise and edit images; Discord remains supported, and the plan table mentions working solo in Discord direct messages. Speed is measured in GPU time: Fast hours are your monthly allowance, and Relax mode (on Standard and above) offers unlimited slower image generation.
Images are public by default in the Midjourney gallery. Stealth Mode, which keeps images and videos private, is only on the Pro and Mega plans. Midjourney's terms say that if you have subscribed you can use your images in just about any way you want, but a company making more than $1,000,000 a year in gross revenue must buy Pro or Mega.
Against our runners-up: ChatGPT's image generation is better at following detailed instructions, editing in conversation and rendering text, and ComfyUI is the open, node-based route for full control over local models. Midjourney's edge is taste: its default output tends to look finished with short prompts, which is why designers use it for mood boards, concept art and campaign visuals, then refine layouts and type in another tool.
Our verdict
Midjourney is still the go-to when you want beautiful, stylised images with little prompt effort. It runs on its own web app (and Discord), with V8-generation image models and a separate short-video model. All plans are paid subscriptions from $10 a month, and all include commercial use, though larger companies must buy a higher tier. Pick it for mood, concept art and striking visuals. Look elsewhere if you need exact layouts, reliable text in images, private generation on a budget, or a free option.
✅ Pick it if You want beautiful, stylised images with minimal prompt effort, and you're happy to pay a monthly subscription.
⛔ Skip it if You need precise layouts or exact text, private generation on a budget, or a free option.
Pricing: As of 19 Oct 2026 (USD): Basic $10/month (3.3 Fast GPU hours); Standard $30/month (15 Fast hours, unlimited Relax images); Pro $60/month (30 Fast hours, unlimited Relax images and SD video, Stealth Mode); Mega $120/month (60 Fast hours, Stealth Mode). Annual plans save 20% ($96, $288, $576, $1,152 a year). Extra Fast time $4/hour. Subscriptions renew automatically. Check site.
Midjourney is run by Midjourney, Inc., which its Terms of Service name as the contracting party.
What to watch
No free plan: every plan is a paid, auto-renewing subscription. Check the cancellation and refund pages before you subscribe.
Public by default: unless you're on Pro or Mega with Stealth Mode, your images can appear in the public gallery. Don't upload confidential material on lower plans.
Company size rule: businesses with more than $1M gross annual revenue must use Pro or Mega for commercial use, per the plan page and terms.
Precise layouts and exact text are not its strength compared with tools built around instruction-following; plan to edit typography elsewhere.
Fast GPU hours run out; Basic has no Relax mode, so once the 3.3 hours are used you must buy more time or upgrade.