The Best 10 Alternatives to Microsoft Designer Alternatives (+ Pricing & Reviews)

Microsoft Designer is a tool that aims to simplify the process of creating visually appealing designs quickly. It leverages AI to generate images from text, positioning itself as a convenient option for users looking to produce art with minimal effort. Below, we explore its features, user reviews, and other alternatives in the text-to-image AI art generation space.

What is Microsoft Designer?

Microsoft Designer is a tool designed to help users create stunning designs quickly and efficiently. It leverages AI to generate images from text, making it a convenient option for those looking to produce art with minimal effort.

Unique features include a user-friendly interface and a variety of templates to choose from. The tool aims to simplify the design process, allowing users to focus on creativity rather than technical details.

What to Consider When Selecting a Microsoft Designer Alternative?

Image Generation Quality: Ensure the alternative provides high-resolution outputs with attention to detail, similar to Microsoft Designer's professional-grade visuals.
Ease of Use: Look for a user-friendly interface that simplifies the design process, allowing users to focus on creativity rather than technical details.
Customization Options: The tool should offer robust customization features, enabling users to tweak and refine generated images to meet specific project requirements.
Integration Capabilities: Check if the platform integrates seamlessly with other design tools and software, facilitating a cohesive workflow.
Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate the pricing models and subscription plans to ensure they align with your budget and usage needs, offering good value for the features provided.

Best Alternatives to Microsoft Designer

1. OpenArt

OpenArt is an innovative AI-powered platform designed for art enthusiasts to create, edit, and explore AI-generated images. With a variety of tools such as text-to-image, image-to-image, and style transfer, it offers flexibility and advanced capabilities for artistic expression. Try OpenArt For Free!

Pros of Using OpenArt

Pros of Using OpenArt:

OpenArt offers a range of benefits that make it a standout choice for AI art enthusiasts.

Diverse Model Selection: A wide array of AI-generated styles and models to experiment with, including Flux, Stable Diffusion, Dalle 3, and more.
Cutting-edge Image Editing Tools: Includes InPainting, object removal, and other innovative tools for stunning transformations.
Advanced Controls: Empower users to guide and customize image composition, style, and more using reference images, allowing precise control beyond just text-based prompts.
Custom Model Training: Users can create custom AI models in minutes to align with their unique style and ensure character consistency.
Community Engagement: An active Discord community for users to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on artistic projects.
Rapid Image Generation: Experience exceptionally fast image creation with OpenArt, where the average generation time is just 2-3 seconds, providing a smooth and efficient user experience.
Competitive Price: OpenArt's price is very competitive compared to Midjourney, especially considering a 50% discount on all yearly subscriptions.

Who should use OpenArt?

OpenArt primarily targets artists, game developers, and designers, offering a versatile platform for both beginners and advanced users in AI image creation. Additionally, it caters to businesses such as game companies, design studios, and marketing agencies that require custom AI-generated visual content.

OpenArt Pricing

OpenArt offers a range of subscription packages tailored to different user needs, including a custom-priced Business plan. Below are the pricing details for each package:

Free: $0
Starter: $14/month or $7/month (billed annually at $84/year)
Hobbyist: $26/month or $13/month (billed annually at $156/year)
Pro: $56/month or $28/month (billed annually at $336/year)
Business: Custom (Contact for pricing)

OpenArt Reviews

User Reviews

OpenArt.ai boasts a stellar rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 30 reviews. Users commend the platform for its extensive feature set, user-friendly interface, and exceptional image generation capabilities. Check out more of our reviews here!

2. RunDiffusion

RunDiffusion offers a comprehensive suite of cloud-based AI tools, including Automatic1111, Fooocus, and ComfyUI, designed to streamline the creative process for artists and developers. Explore more about their features and pricing on RunDiffusion.

Pros of Using RunDiffusion

Fully Managed Open Source AI Tools: Includes Automatic1111, Fooocus, ComfyUI, and more, providing a comprehensive suite of tools for various creative needs.
Proprietary Models: RunDiffusion Photo - Topaz and Crystal offer enhanced photorealism, setting it apart from other platforms.
Smart Timer: Prevents overcharges by allowing users to set session durations and get credited for unused time, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Deforum in the Cloud: Preloaded on all servers for creating videos, adding a unique dimension to AI-generated content.

Cons of Using RunDiffusion

Learning Curve: The Automatic1111 WebUI and ComfyUI have a steep learning curve, which can be challenging for newcomers to navigate and master.
Session Boot Time: Sessions take about 90 seconds to boot, which might be too long for some users who require immediate access to the tools.

RunDiffusion Pricing

RunDiffusion's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.

RunDiffusion Reviews

RunDiffusion has an overall rating of 5.0 out of 5 based on 1561 user reviews. Users generally mention the platform's automatic AI tools and session boot times. Check out more RunDiffusion reviews here.

3. Flux

Flux is a suite of image generation models developed by Black Forest Labs, offering state-of-the-art performance in image generation, prompt following, visual quality, image detail, and output diversity. Explore more about Flux and its various versions on FLUX1.1 PRO.

Pros of Using Flux

State-of-the-Art Performance: FLUX1.1 PRO offers unparalleled performance in image generation, ensuring high-speed processing, exceptional prompt adherence, and superior visual quality.
Output Diversity: The models provide a wide range of image outputs, catering to various artistic and professional needs with remarkable detail and creativity.
Open-Weight Models: FLUX.1 dev and FLUX.1 schnell are available as open-weight models, making them accessible for non-commercial and personal use, fostering innovation and experimentation.
High-Speed Generation: FLUX.1 pro and FLUX.1 schnell are optimized for rapid image generation, significantly reducing the time required to produce high-quality visuals.

Cons of Using Flux

Binding with Other Design Patterns: Users have reported difficulties in integrating Flux with other design patterns such as Redux and Mobx. This can be a significant drawback for developers who rely on these patterns for their projects.
3rd Party Integrations and Bidirectional Flow: Another common issue is the challenge of integrating third-party services and managing bidirectional data flow. These limitations can hinder the overall flexibility and functionality of the tool.

Flux Pricing

FLUX 1.1 [pro]: $0.04 per image
FLUX.1 [pro]: $0.05 per image
FLUX.1 [dev]: $0.025 per image

Flux Reviews

Flux has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 3 reviews. Users generally mention difficulties with third-party integrations and binding with other design patterns. Check out more Flux reviews here.

4. StarryAI

StarryAI is an AI art generator that allows users to create art by inputting text prompts. The app offers a variety of styles and models, enabling users to generate unique and high-quality visuals. Explore StarryAI.

Pros of Using StarryAI

Free Daily Usage: Generate up to 25 images daily for free, allowing users to explore and create without financial constraints.
Full Ownership: Users retain complete ownership of their creations, providing the freedom to use the art as they see fit.
Commercial Rights: The ability to use generated art for commercial purposes, making it a valuable tool for businesses and creators alike.
Multiple AI Methods: Offers a variety of AI methods, including Art, Photos, Illustrations, and Custom Styles, catering to diverse artistic needs.

Cons of Using StarryAI

Restrictive Safety Features: Users have reported that the app's safety features can be overly restrictive, limiting the use of certain words and phrases. This can hinder creativity and make it challenging to generate the desired images.
Bugs and Glitches: There are frequent complaints about bugs in the app, such as issues with removing backgrounds and maintaining profile pictures. These glitches can disrupt the user experience and make the app less reliable.

StarryAI Pricing

Business/Enterprise Pricing Packages:

Starter Plan: $1.99 per week or $95.99 per year
Unlimited Pro Plan: $7.99 per week or $384 per year
Unlimited Pro Max Plan: $15.99 per week or $768 per year

StarryAI Reviews

StarryAI has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 61K reviews. Users generally mention issues with misleading free trial offers, restrictive safety features, and problems with customer support. Check out more StarryAI reviews here.

5. Adobe Firefly

Adobe Firefly is a suite of generative AI tools designed to enhance the creative process by providing features like Generative Fill, Text to Image, Generative Extend, and Generate Video. These tools are integrated into Adobe's flagship applications such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro (beta), Adobe Express, Illustrator, Lightroom, and InDesign. Explore Adobe Firefly.

Pros of Using Adobe Firefly

Generative Fill: Create richer, more photorealistic images with advanced generative fill capabilities.
Generative Extend: Extend video clips by adding frames, lengthening ambient audio, and eliminating awkward cuts.
Generate Video: Transform text prompts into video clips quickly, useful for pitching ideas and creating b-roll.

Cons of Using Adobe Firefly

Inaccuracy in AI Outputs: Users have reported that the AI-generated images are not always accurate, leading to results that may not meet their expectations. This can be particularly frustrating when specific details are crucial for a project.
Software Bugs: There are frequent complaints about software bugs, including app crashes and errors when handling multiple inputs or incorrect prompt combinations. These issues can disrupt the creative process and make the tool less reliable.

Adobe Firefly Pricing

Adobe Firefly's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.

Adobe Firefly Reviews

Adobe Firefly has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 based on 53 reviews. Users generally mention issues with inaccuracy in AI outputs and frequent software bugs. Check out more Adobe Firefly reviews here.

6. Krea

Krea offers a variety of AI-powered tools to generate and enhance images and videos, making generative AI intuitive and accessible for everyone.

Pros of Using Krea

Flux: High-quality image generation that ensures stunning visuals and detailed outputs.
Video Generation (Beta Preview): AI-powered video creation, allowing users to generate videos from text prompts.
Realtime Generation: Instant AI generation for quick and efficient creative processes.
Enhancer: Upscale images and videos to improve resolution and quality effortlessly.

Cons of Using Krea

Limited Features in Free Plan: While Krea offers a free plan, it comes with significant limitations on the number of daily generations and access to advanced tools. This can be restrictive for users who want to explore the platform's full capabilities without committing to a paid subscription.
Frequent Bugs and Glitches: Users have reported encountering bugs and glitches, such as issues with the app's performance and reliability. These technical problems can disrupt the creative process and make the app less dependable for professional use.

Krea Pricing

Free: $0 per month
Basic: $10 per month (billed monthly)
Pro: $35 per month (billed monthly)
Max: $60 per month (billed monthly)

Krea Reviews

Krea has a rating of 3.8 out of 5 based on 6 reviews. Users generally mention issues with the app's performance and reliability, including frequent bugs and glitches. Check out more Krea reviews here.

7. Craiyon

Craiyon is a free AI image generator that allows users to create art from text prompts, offering various styles such as Auto, Photo, Drawing, and Vector. Explore more about Craiyon here.

Pros of Using Craiyon

Free AI Image Generation: Craiyon offers a completely free service to generate AI art from text prompts, making it accessible to everyone.
Multiple Modes: Users can choose from various modes such as Auto, Photo, Drawing, and Vector to create different styles of images, providing versatility in artistic expression.
Expert Mode: An advanced feature designed for more experienced users, allowing for greater control and customization in the image generation process.
Prompt Prediction: Utilizes ChatGPT to help generate the best drawing prompts, enhancing the quality and relevance of the AI-generated art.

Cons of Using Craiyon

Slow Performance: Users have reported that the app can be very slow, especially for free users. The time to generate images can take 1-2 minutes, which is significantly slower compared to the paid version.
Ads for Free Users: The presence of ads in the free version can be disruptive, affecting the overall user experience and making the app less enjoyable to use.

Craiyon Pricing

Craiyon's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.

Craiyon Reviews

Craiyon has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 3 reviews. Users generally mention issues with slow performance, especially for free users, and the presence of ads in the free version. Check out more Craiyon reviews here.

8. Picsart

Picsart is an AI-powered creative companion designed to help users grow their brand with a comprehensive suite of tools for photo editing, background removal, image generation, and more. Trusted by over 150 million creators, Picsart blends creativity with productivity, making it a versatile platform for both personal and professional use. Explore Picsart.

Pros of Using Picsart

AI-Powered Creative Tools: Leverage advanced AI for photo and video editing, including features like Background Remover and AI Image Generator.
Extensive Template Library: Access a vast array of editable photos, templates, and design resources to inspire and streamline your creative process.
Community Engagement: Connect with other creators through Spaces, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing within a supportive community.
Cross-Platform Availability: Enjoy the flexibility of using Picsart on both web and mobile platforms, ensuring you can create wherever you are.

Cons of Using Picsart

Complex User Interface: Some users find the interface complex, especially for new users. Navigating through the various tools and features can be overwhelming, making it difficult to utilize the app's full potential without a steep learning curve.
Performance Problems: The app can be slow to load, especially when working on large projects with multiple layers and effects. Users have also reported that the app sometimes lags or crashes, particularly on slower devices, which can disrupt the creative process.

Picsart Pricing

Free: $0 per month
Plus: $5 per month (billed yearly at $60)
Pro: $7 per month (billed yearly at $84)
Picsart's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.

Picsart Reviews

Picsart has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on user reviews. Users generally mention issues with the premium features being expensive, limited free features, slow loading times, and app crashes. Check out more Picsart reviews here.

9. Photoroom

Photoroom is an AI-powered photo editor designed to help users create professional images by removing backgrounds and enhancing product photos. Explore more about Photoroom here.

Pros of Using Photoroom

AI Background Remover: Automatically removes the background from images, making it easy to create professional-looking photos.
AI Retouch: Removes unwanted parts of an image with a simple swipe, enhancing the overall quality and appearance.
AI Backgrounds: Generates realistic backgrounds in less than a second, providing a quick and efficient way to enhance images.
Batch Editing: Allows users to edit multiple images at once, saving time and effort while maintaining consistency across photos.

Cons of Using Photoroom

Inaccuracy in Background Removal: Users have reported that the app sometimes removes crucial details of the subject, impacting the overall quality of the image.
Quality Issues: Some users have noted that the app reduces the quality of images after background removal.

Photoroom Pricing

Photoroom's pricing is not public. Contact their support for more info.

Photoroom Reviews

Photoroom has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on user reviews. Users generally mention issues with the subscription cost, occasional inaccuracies in background removal, and software bugs. Check out more Photoroom reviews here.

10. Pixelcut

Pixelcut is a free AI-powered photo editor that simplifies the process of creating professional-quality photos with features like background removal, image upscaling, and object removal. Explore more about Pixelcut here.

Pros of Using Pixelcut

AI-Generated Backgrounds: Create stunning product photos with AI-generated backgrounds, eliminating the need for a physical studio.
One-Click Editing Tools: Transform photos effortlessly with AI-powered tools, making complex edits simple and quick.
Virtual Studio: Save time and money by creating professional-quality product photos without the need for a physical studio setup.
Team Collaboration: Collaborate seamlessly with team members to create and share projects and templates, enhancing productivity and creativity.

Cons of Using Pixelcut

Inconsistent Performance: Users have reported that the app does not work consistently, even with good internet connectivity. This can be frustrating, especially when multiple attempts are needed to get the app to function properly.
Feature Limitations: Most advanced features are behind a paywall, and there is no option for a one-time purchase to unlock all features. This can be restrictive for users who prefer not to commit to a continuous paid membership.

Pixelcut Pricing

1,000 credits: $10 per month
10,000 credits: $100 per month
100,000 credits: $1,000 per month
1,000,000 credits: $10,000 per month
Pixelcut's pricing is not public for volumes above 1 million credits. Contact their support for more info.

Pixelcut Reviews

Pixelcut has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 125K reviews. Users generally mention issues with the subscription model and app performance. Check out more Pixelcut reviews here.

Which One Should You Go With?

While each AI art platform offers unique features and benefits, OpenArt stands out for its diverse model selection, advanced controls, and rapid image generation. Whether you're an artist, game developer, or designer, OpenArt provides a versatile and user-friendly experience. If you're exploring alternatives, OpenArt is a fantastic choice to elevate your creative projects.