AI art generators have revolutionized the creative artistic space, allowing artists, designers, and enthusiasts to generate stunning visuals with unprecedented ease.
As a specialist digital marketer turned AI-curious creator, I’ve spent years bouncing between tools that promise “revolutionary creativity” for my content pieces. But in 2025, two AI powerhouses, Leonardo AI and Midjourney, loom over the AI art scene. Both claim to translate imagination to gallery-worthy pixels without mangling the vision.
But here’s the raw truth: After living double lives for 21 days, being a Midjourney evaluator by day and Leonardo AI experimenter by night, I’ve seen them at their best, worst, and weirdest.
In this review, I’ll share my experience with these tools, exploring their onboarding processes, user interfaces, core features, pros and cons, and practical usages. I’ll also offer personal verdicts to inform your decision when assessing these AI art generators for your needs.
Key takeaways
- On User Interface and Experience: Leonardo AI offers a sleek and intuitive web interface, making it easy for beginners and experienced users to navigate. However, its extensive customization options might overwhelm newcomers.
Midjourney operates via Discord, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with the platform. However, it fosters a strong community aspect.
- On Customization and Versatility: Leonardo AI excels in customization, allowing users to adjust various parameters for tailored outputs. It also enables users to train their own models, offering a high degree of versatility.
Midjourney provides customization but is more focused on spontaneous artistic interpretations. It relies heavily on text prompts for style adjustments.
- On Image Quality and Style: Leonardo AI is renowned for generating high-resolution, photorealistic images, making it ideal for professional applications.
Midjourney produces vibrant, artistic outputs, often preferred for creative experimentation and unique styles.
- On Community and Support: Midjourney benefits from a strong Discord community, which is integral to its user experience. Users can share creations and receive feedback.
Leonardo AI offers comprehensive support resources, including a help center and direct messaging, but lacks a community-driven aspect.
- On Pricing and Accessibility: Leonardo AI provides a generous free tier with API credits, though premium plans can be costly. It’s ideal for those needing customization and control. It’s now available on Google Play Store and iOS.
Midjourney no longer offers a free option, with monthly plans starting at $10. It’s more straightforward in pricing but requires a financial commitment.
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What’s Leonardo AI?
Leonardo AI is an advanced AI image generator designed to create high-quality visual assets. Launched in December 2022 by founders JJ Fiasson, Ethan Smith, and Jachin Bhasme, this platform has rapidly gained popularity, amassing seven million users who have created over 700 million images.
Leonardo AI leverages technologies like generative adversarial networks (GANs) and diffusion models to produce detailed, engaging images based on user input.
With its robust AI technology, Leonardo AI supports industries like gaming, advertising, and fashion, transforming content creation by making it faster and more accessible.
What’s Midjourney?
Midjourney is a pioneering AI image generator launched in July 2022 by David Holz, co-founder of Leap Motion. Developed by an independent research lab in San Francisco, Midjourney transforms text prompts into stunning images, ranging from photorealistic scenes to abstract art. The platform is notable for its high-quality outputs and active community of over 20 million users who access it via Discord or a recently introduced webpage.
Midjourney’s AI leverages natural language processing and machine learning, allowing users to customize images with precision. The platform offers features like the “Vary (region)” tool, which enables users to modify specific parts of an image. With continuous updates, such as the latest V6.1 model, Midjourney remains a leading digital art and design tool, providing a versatile and collaborative environment for artistic professionals and hobbyists.
Getting onboard on the Leonardo AI and Midjourney platforms
Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI offers a straightforward sign-up process. I created an account and accessed the platform via a web interface by clicking the “Start Using Leonardo AI” button.
There, I signed in with my email, among other options.
Next, I formed a strong password according to the requirements, and a verification code was sent to my email.
I inputted it, and it was Successful.
Next, I chose a username.
And then, I was on the Leonardo AI platform.
The minimal setup lasted less than 5 minutes, allowing me to dive into creating art quickly. However, as a beginner, the platform’s extensive customization options initially felt overwhelming, but I grasped it later.
Midjourney
I searched my web browser for “Midjourney AI sign up.” This was the first step to getting started. Then, I clicked on the first link that appeared in the search results. This took me to the official Midjourney page.
On the Midjourney page, I looked for the “Sign In” option, usually on the bottom right-hand side. This also serves as the sign-up button.
I clicked the “Sign In” button. This redirected me to the Discord login portal.
I needed a Discord account to sign in or sign up for Midjourney. If I didn’t already have one, I would need to create a Discord account first.
I entered my Discord email address or phone number in the first box and my password in the second box. Then, I clicked “Login”.
Discord detected my ID. I clicked “Authorize” to grant Midjourney access to my Discord account.
I gave it a moment, and soon, I was logged in and signed up for Midjourney using my Discord account.
Like Leonardo AI, this process took less than 5 minutes.
Leonardo AI and Midjourney’s first impressions and ease of use
Upon launching Leonardo AI, the interface appears sleek and user-friendly, with straightforward navigation that facilitates quick exploration of its features. The platform’s focus on customization is evident, making it appealing to professionals seeking precise control over their art.
Midjourney’s Discord interface, while less visually polished, is surprisingly efficient once you grasp the command syntax. The community aspect is a significant plus, offering support and inspiration from fellow users.
Leonardo AI and Midjourney’s initial challenges
One of the initial challenges I encountered with Leonardo AI was navigating its vast array of customization options, which can be daunting and overwhelming for beginners. However, the platform’s documentation and tutorials help mitigate this issue.
For Midjourney, the primary challenge was adapting to the Discord text-based interface and understanding how to craft effective prompts to achieve the desired results as a first-timer. The community is helpful in this regard, but it took some time to get accustomed to the workflow.
Leonardo AI and Midjourney’s core features compared
Here are the core features I discovered in these two platforms:
Image quality & creativity
Leonardo AI consistently delivered high-resolution, photorealistic images, making it ideal for projects requiring detailed visuals. Its creative interpretations often added unique elements to the art.
Midjourney produced vibrant and dynamic artistic outputs, perfect for artistic experimentation. It offered a wide range of styles, often creating innovative pieces.
User interface and experience
This is where a significant difference exists. Leonardo AI offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate. The homepage clearly outlines all options, and a brief tutorial covers the basics upon sign-up. However, the extensive customization options might initially overwhelm newcomers.
Midjourney operates through Discord, requiring users to navigate both the platform and the Midjourney bot. While familiar users will find it accessible, newcomers may need time to adjust. The social aspect is integral, with a vibrant community providing guidance and feedback. All creations are public by default, fostering interaction and learning, but they have a downside that breeds no privacy, especially in the case of brand or highly classified generative assets.
Customization & prompt flexibility
Leonardo AI provided extensive customization options, allowing me to tweak and fine-tune style, mood, color, and other details. This flexibility was a significant draw for projects needing tailored visuals.
Midjourney also offered customization, though it was more dependent on text prompts. I could experiment with different styles by adjusting the prompt, but the level of control was not as creatively free as Leonardo AI.
Performance and speed
Leonardo AI
Fast Mode: Generates images in 10 to 20 seconds, ideal for quick prototyping with reduced quality and resolution.
Quality Mode: Typically takes 30 to 40 seconds to produce higher-quality images at higher resolutions.
Midjourney
Midjourney’s generation speed can vary based on the complexity of the prompt and the server load. Generally, generating an image takes a few minutes, but this can be longer if the server is busy or if the prompt is complex.
In summary, Leonardo AI is generally faster, especially in Fast mode, while Midjourney may take longer due to its detailed outputs and server load.
Subscription plans
Leonardo AI
Leonardo AI offers a flexible pricing system based on an API credit model. This allows users to calculate costs based on their specific image generation needs. The platform includes a free tier with limited usage, followed by paid plans such as Apprentice, Artisan Unlimited, and Maestro Unlimited. These plans provide varying tokens and features, making them suitable for casual and serious users.
Midjourney
Midjourney, on the other hand, offers four distinct subscription tiers: Basic, Standard, Pro, and Mega. Prices range from $10 to $120 monthly, with discounts available for annual subscriptions. Each plan provides a different GPU time, with the Mega plan offering the most comprehensive features.
While Midjourney’s pricing is straightforward, Leonardo AI’s free tier provides greater accessibility. Leonardo’s paid tiers offer long-term value by potentially consolidating multiple subscription costs.
Community and resources
Both platforms provide excellent resources to help users get started. Midjourney offers getting-started guides covering Discord setup and prompt creation, supported by an active community. Leonardo AI features a comprehensive help center with FAQs, feature guides, and direct support via in-app messaging or a detailed Wiki for community mentorship.
Updated features
Leonardo AI
Leonardo Phoenix: The updated functionality offers enhanced coherence and clarity in text generation, addressing common challenges in AI image creation. Specifically, it provides solutions to longstanding issues, such as generating realistic hands and faces, ensuring that the outputs are more lifelike and visually appealing.
Midjourney
Midjourney 6.1: This updated feature significantly improved the accuracy of longer prompts, ensuring that the generated content remains coherent and aligned with the user’s intent. It also introduced advanced prompting and remixing capabilities, allowing for more sophisticated and creative outputs. Furthermore, new parameters were added to enable users to achieve more photographic or literal results, providing greater control over the final output.
Performance comparison table
| Features | Leonardo AI | Midjourney |
| Art quality and style | High-resolution, photorealistic | Vibrant, dynamic, artistic |
| Customization | Extensive options for style,mood, color | Dependent on text prompts, less granular control |
| Performance and speed | Quick image generation | Slightly slower, depending on the prompt simplicity and servers. |
| User Interface and Experience | User-friendly web interface | Text-based Discord interface |
| Community and resources | Limited community support | Strong community support |
| Cost | Affordable plans | Higher subscription price |
| Updated features | Leonardo Phoenix offers realistic and lifelike hands and faces. | Midjourney 6.1 ensures Long prompts results remain coherent and align with the user’s intent. |
My practical uses of Leonardo AI and Midjourney
1. Creating concept art for a fantasy novel
Project Goal: Design a mystical forest scene with a glowing tree at its center.
Leonardo AI prompt
“Generate a photorealistic image of a mystical forest with a glowing tree in the center. The tree should have a soft, ethereal glow. The forest should be dense with misty fog and tall, ancient trees. Include a winding path leading to the tree.”
I used the free plan’s daily tokens to generate high-resolution images. The platform’s photorealistic capabilities allowed me to create detailed environments with realistic lighting. However, achieving the desired glow effect required several iterations.
Midjourney prompt
“/imagine a vibrant, mystical forest with a glowing tree at its center. The tree should have a radiant, pulsing glow. The forest should be filled with colorful, glowing mushrooms and misty fog. Include a winding path leading to the tree. –v 5 –ar 16:9”
Although Midjourney no longer offers a free trial, I simulated this scenario using a friend’s account. Midjourney excelled in producing vibrant, artistic interpretations of the forest, but capturing the precise glow effect was challenging without extensive prompt tweaking.
Comparison: Leonardo AI provided more realistic environments, while Midjourney’s artistic style added a unique flair. Both platforms required some trial and error to achieve the desired effect.
2. Designing social media graphics
Project Goal: Create eye-catching social media graphics for a new product launch.
Leonardo AI prompt
“Generate a high-resolution social media graphic for a new tech product launch. The background should be a futuristic cityscape at sunset. Include the product logo prominently in the center with a bold, modern font. Use a color scheme of blue and silver.”
The free plan allowed me to generate high-quality graphics quickly. I used the platform’s customization options to match the brand’s color palette and style. The output was consistent and professional.
Midjourney prompt
“/imagine a vibrant social media graphic for a tech product launch. The background should be stylized, neon-lit cityscape at night. Include the product logo in a futuristic, 3D style. Use a bold, neon color scheme. –v 5 –ar 1:1”
Using a paid plan, I found Midjourney’s vibrant styles perfect for creating engaging social media graphics. The community aspect was invaluable for inspiration and feedback.
Comparison: Leonardo AI offered more control over branding elements, while Midjourney’s artistic outputs were more attention-grabbing. Both platforms delivered high-quality results, but Leonardo AI was more suitable for precise branding needs.
3. Generating abstract art for a personal project
Project Goal: Create a series of abstract art pieces inspired by nature.
Leonardo AI prompt
“Generate an abstract art piece inspired by a stormy sea. Use a palette of blues and greys. Include swirling patterns that evoke the movement of waves. The style should be reminiscent of impressionist paintings.”
The free plan’s tokens were sufficient for experimenting with different styles and prompts. However, achieving truly abstract results required pushing the platform’s customization limits.
Midjourney prompt
“/imagine an abstract art piece inspired by a stormy sea. Use a vibrant palette of blues and greens. Include dynamic, swirling patterns that evoke the energy of waves. The style should be abstract expressionist. –v 5 –ar 4:3”
Midjourney excelled in this part, deploying easy insights into crafting effective prompts.
Comparison: Midjourney’s artistic flexibility made it ideal for abstract art, while Leonardo AI required more effort to achieve similar results. Both platforms offered unique strengths, but Midjourney’s outputs were more surprising and creative.
Consistency, variety, and satisfaction
Leonardo AI provided consistent results in terms of quality, though there was some variability in how well it interpreted prompts. The satisfaction level was high, especially for realistic projects.
Midjourney offered a wide variety of artistic styles, and the community aspect was invaluable for learning and inspiration. However, the quality could vary based on the prompt and server load.
What i liked about Leonardo AI
- Exceptional detail and creative interpretation: Leonardo AI’s ability to produce high-resolution images with impressive detail was a standout feature. Its creative interpretations often added unique elements to the art.
- Intuitive interface and customization options: The platform’s user-friendly interface made it easy to explore and utilize its extensive customization options, which will be invaluable for unprofessionals.
- Unique style elements: Leonardo AI’s photorealistic capabilities set it apart, making it ideal for projects requiring realistic visuals.
What i liked about Midjourney
- Consistently high-quality artistic outputs: Midjourney consistently produced vibrant and dynamic images perfect for artistic experimentation.
- Versatile prompt handling and vibrant styles: The platform’s ability to interpret a wide range of prompts and generate unique artistic styles was impressive.
- User-friendly community and supportive resources: The Discord community was a significant asset, providing support, inspiration, and a space to learn from others.
What i didn’t like about Leonardo AI and Midjourney (their notable inconsistencies)
Leonardo AI
- Output variability: While generally high-quality, there were instances where the output didn’t fully align with the prompt, requiring additional adjustments.
- Prompt control limitations: Despite extensive customization options, there were times when achieving specific artistic styles felt constrained by the platform’s interpretation of prompts.
Midjourney
- Slower processing in certain styles: While generally quick, generating images in more complex styles could take longer, especially during peak usage.
- Less flexibility in certain styles: Achieving specific photorealistic styles was challenging compared to Leonardo AI, as Midjourney excels more in artistic and vibrant outputs.
- No free plan: Unlike Leonardo AI, which offers a free plan for user experiments, Midjourney lacks this feature.
- Steep learning curve: As mentioned earlier, being a Discord first-timer made the learning duration slightly frustrating and time-consuming. Meanwhile, I made quick waves on Leonardo AI, played around the platform, and created AI art.
- Requires both a Midjourney and a Discord account with no standalone app or web platform. On the other hand, Leonardo AI is accessible through a web platform and requires no dependable account to work.
Final verdict: Leonardo AI vs. Midjourney, which tool is right for you?
The question doesn’t boil down to a “Yes” or “No” answer. Choosing between Leonardo AI and Midjourney depends on your specific creative needs.
Both platforms have their strengths and are suited for different types of projects. Leonardo AI excels in realism and customization, while Midjourney shines in artistic creativity and community support. Leonardo AI might be the preferred choice for those seeking a balance of quality and versatility. However, for artists who value community and rapid artistic experimentation, Midjourney is the way to go. Ultimately, choosing between these two powerful tools should be guided by your specific creative goals and preferences.
Conclusively,
| Choose Leonardo AI | Opt for Midjourney |
| If you’re looking for a user-friendly AI image generator that caters to diverse creative needs, offers extensive customization options, and allows for seamless iteration, making it ideal for beginners and professionals. | If you’re an artist interested in creating stunning, surreal AI art on a platform suited for collaborative projects, where you can engage with others and build upon their ideas to create unique artistic pieces. |
