Midjourney, the popular AI image generator known for its stunning and lifelike creations, has undergone significant changes in its pricing structure.
Once offering a free trial to new users, Midjourney has now shifted to a subscription-only model due to overwhelming demand. This move has left many aspiring digital artists and AI enthusiasts wondering about their options.
While the absence of a free tier may disappoint some, Midjourney’s paid plans offer a range of features catering to different needs and budgets.
From the Basic plan at $10 per month to the Mega plan at $120 per month, users can choose based on their desired GPU time, image generation capacity, and privacy options.
In this article, we’ll look at Midjourney’s subscription plans and explore the benefits, limitations, and alternatives available in the world of AI-powered image generation.
Midjourney Subscription Plans
Midjourney, the popular AI image generation platform, no longer offers a free trial on its main Discord server or website. However, users can still experience a limited free trial through the niji · journey mobile app available on iOS and Android.
This app provides 20 free image generations to new users, allowing them to explore Midjourney’s capabilities before committing to a paid subscription. For those looking to use Midjourney’s full features, the platform offers four paid subscription tiers:
Basic Plan: $10/month or $96/year
Standard Plan: $30/month or $288/year
Pro Plan: $60/month or $576/year
Mega Plan: $120/month or $1152/year
Each plan offers different levels of access and features. The Basic Plan provides 3.3 hours of fast GPU time per month, while higher tiers offer more GPU time and additional benefits. The Standard Plan and above include unlimited “Relax mode” generations, which use a queue system with longer wait times but no usage limits.Key differences between the plans include:
Fast GPU time allocation (ranging from 3.3 to 60 hours/month)
Access to Relax mode (unlimited for Standard and above)
Private image generation (available in Pro and Mega plans)
Number of concurrent jobs allowed
Users can choose a plan based on their needs, budget, and desired usage frequency. Annual subscriptions offer a 20% discount compared to monthly rates.
For those unsure about committing to a full subscription, the mobile app trial provides a risk-free way to test Midjourney’s capabilities before deciding on a paid plan.
Comparing Free vs Paid Subscriptions
Midjourney no longer offers a free trial or version of its AI image generation service. Previously, users could create up to 25 images for free, but due to overwhelming demand and server limitations, this option has been discontinued.The benefits of paid Midjourney subscriptions include:
Increased usage time: Depending on the plan, users get between 3.3 to 60 hours of Fast GPU time per month. Fast GPU time allows for immediate image generation without waiting in a queue.
Access to fast GPU time: All paid plans provide access to Fast GPU time, with higher tiers offering more hours.
Commercial usage rights: Paid subscribers can use generated images for commercial purposes, which is essential for businesses and professionals.
Private visibility options: Pro and Mega plans offer a “Stealth Mode” feature, allowing users to generate images privately without them being visible to others on the platform.
Unlimited “Relax mode” generations: Standard plans and above include unlimited access to Relax mode, which uses a queue system with longer wait times but no usage limits.
Concurrent jobs: Higher-tier plans allow users to run multiple image generation jobs simultaneously.
While there are no free options directly from Midjourney, some alternatives offer limited free usage:
Bing AI Image Generator (Bing Creator): Provides unlimited free usage with some limitations on generation speed.
Canva AI: Offers a limited number of free credits for its Magic Media tool.
Playground AI: Allows a certain number of free image generations per day.
These alternatives can provide some free AI image generation capabilities, but they may not match Midjourney’s specific features and quality. For those seeking Midjourney’s full capabilities, a paid subscription is necessary, with plans starting at $10 per month for the Basic tier.
How to Use Midjourney for Free?
While Midjourney no longer offers a completely free trial on its main platform, there are still ways to experience its capabilities without immediate payment:
1. Mobile App Trial:
Download the niji · journey app, available on iOS and Android. New users receive 20 free image generations, allowing you to explore Midjourney’s features before committing to a subscription.
2. Discord Method (Limited Availability):
Occasionally, Discord Nitro offers promotions that include free Midjourney access. To take advantage of this:
- Ensure you have Discord Nitro
- Go to Discord settings and check the “Gift Inventory” section
- If available, claim the Midjourney offer
- Authorize your Discord account on Midjourney’s website
- Join the Midjourney Discord server
- Add the Midjourney bot to your preferred server
- Use the /imagine command to start generating images
To maximize your free usage:
- Be specific and descriptive in your prompts
- Use adjectives and art style references for better results
- Experiment with different phrasings
- Break up prompts with commas for clarity
- Study successful prompts from other users for inspiration
Remember that free trials are limited, so use your generations wisely. If you find Midjourney valuable, consider subscribing to a paid plan for continued access and more features.
While not entirely free, these methods provide an opportunity to test Midjourney’s capabilities before committing to a subscription.
Always check Midjourney’s official channels for the most up-to-date information on trial availability and terms.
Considerations When Choosing a Plan
When choosing a Midjourney subscription plan, it’s crucial to carefully assess your personal or business needs, evaluate budget constraints, and consider usage frequency and commercial requirements.
Start by determining how often you’ll use the platform and for what purposes. If you’re a casual user or just exploring AI image generation, the Basic plan at $10/month might suffice.
For more frequent users or those requiring additional features, the Standard ($30/month) or Pro ($60/month) plans offer increased GPU time and capabilities.
Consider your budget and whether the platform’s benefits justify the cost. If you’re using Midjourney for commercial purposes, ensure you choose a plan that aligns with your business needs and revenue.
The Pro and Mega plans offer private image generation, which may be essential for certain projects. Ultimately, select a plan that balances your creative requirements, usage patterns, and financial considerations to maximize the value of your Midjourney subscription.
Conclusion
Midjourney offers a range of subscription plans to cater to different user needs and budgets. While the platform no longer provides a free trial on its main Discord server or website, users can explore limited free options through the niji · journey mobile app.
The paid plans – Basic, Standard, Pro, and Mega – offer varying levels of access, GPU time, and features. When choosing a plan, it’s crucial to consider your usage frequency, budget constraints, and specific requirements, such as commercial usage or privacy needs.
These factors will help users choose a Midjourney subscription that aligns with their creative goals and financials, making sure they get the most out of this powerful AI image tool.
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