Midjourney vs. Leonardo AI vs. Weights: Who Wins?

Cage fight! Let’s cut to the chase — Leonardo AI, Midjourney.ai, and Weights are all flexing hard in the AI art scene. 

But which one is actually worth your time? Whether you’re looking to make crazy visuals for your game design or just need a fresh profile pic, we’ve got the breakdown for you.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Quick comparison
• Midjourney overview
• Leonardo overview
• Weights overview
• Which tool is best for you?
• Go with Weights for full creative control

Midjourney vs. Leonardo AI vs. Weights: Quick comparison

How do these bad boys stack up?

Here’s the rundown on Midjourney, Leonardo AI, and Weights — three of the top contenders in AI art generation. 

Let’s dive in:

Which one should you pick?

• Need jaw-dropping artistic AI images? Midjourney’s the play — if you don’t mind the monthly bill. (No, don’t snatch your mom’s credit card, just ask, she’ll be cool with it. Or not.) 
• Want high-level tools for concept art and gaming? Leonardo AI has crazy customization, but you’ll be juggling credits.
• Just want unlimited AI image fun without paying a cent? Weights is the obvious choice.

Midjourney overview: Features, pricing, and who it's for

Midjourney is the Elden Ring of AI art — stunning results, but not exactly beginner-friendly. 

It delivers some of the most artistic, polished AI images out there, but if you want full control, you're out of luck. Also, hope you like Discord — because that's where most of the fun is. 

Let’s start you off with features first: 

Midjourney’s top features — why it’s a big deal

Midjourney thrives on artistic flair and lets you create insane visuals with minimal effort. But there’s more under the hood than just typing in “cyberpunk cat warrior” and hoping for the best.

1. Multiple AI model versions — pick your fighter

Different model versions give you different vibes:

• Version 6.1 (latest and greatest): Sharper details, better hands, and more accurate text generation in images.
• Version 6 (previously best in class): Great long-prompt understanding, solid for scene-building.
• Niji 6 (for anime lovers): Co-developed with Spellbrush, this model nails anime aesthetics with dynamic lighting and expressive characters.
• Version 5 (hyperrealistic mode): If you want photo-level realism, this is your best bet.
• Version 4 (artistic & stylized): More abstract, perfect for bold and painterly looks.

How to switch versions: Just add --v 6.1, --v 5, or --niji 6 at the end of your prompt. You can also tweak settings in the web UI.

2. Upscaling — because size matters

Ever generated an insane image but realized it’s too low-res? Midjourney lets you boost resolution without losing detail. That’s where upscaling comes in so that your AI art can be print-ready.

• Regular upscale: A quick resolution boost for clearer, sharper images.
• Light upscale: Keeps things soft and subtle, avoiding over-sharpening.
• 2x and 4x upscales: For when you need every pixel in its full glory.

Pro tip: Combine upscaling with stylization controls (like --stylize 1000) for maximum effect.

3. Variance & chaos controls — let Midjourney go wild (or keep it on a leash)

Variance lets you control how much Midjourney experiments with your prompt. Want tiny tweaks? Low variance. Want something completely different? High variance.

• Low chaos (0-20): Keeps the results consistent with small changes.
• Mid chaos (20-50): Adds a little spice — small variations in style and composition.
• High chaos (50-100): Let Midjourney go off the rails and embrace the chaos.

How to use it: Just add --chaos 50 (or whatever level of madness you want) at the end of your prompt.

4. Remix mode — tweak without starting over

Ever generate something almost perfect but wish you could adjust one tiny detail? Remix mode is your dream come true. Instead of rerolling the whole image, you can edit your prompt and only change the specific part you want.

Example use case: Got a cyberpunk samurai but want a different background? Remix mode lets you swap the city skyline for a neon Tokyo alley without messing up the character.

5. Web UI vs. Discord — pick your battlefield

Midjourney started as Discord-only, which was a choice. Now, thankfully, they have a web UI that makes life easier:

• Discord version: Great for community interaction, but cluttered.
• Web UI: Clean, simple, and lets you focus without getting lost in chat spam.

How to access: Head to the Midjourney site to use the web UI, or type /imagine in a Discord server where Midjourney is active.

6. Prompt weighting — control what matters most

Midjourney takes your prompts literally, but you can force it to prioritize certain aspects:

• Use :: for weighting: “A futuristic city::2, rainy night::1” will emphasize the city more than the rain.
• Use --no for exclusions: “A futuristic city --no people” will keep your image human-free.

Why this matters: Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping the AI gets it, you can actually fine-tune what it focuses on.

7. Stylization options — because AI art needs personality

Midjourney is for artistic expression first and foremost — it can go full digital painting, anime, or surreal dreamscape depending on how much stylization you throw in:

• Low stylization (0-1000): Keep things clean and accurate.
• Mid stylization (1000-3000): Add some artistic flair without losing control.
• High stylization (3000-5000): Go full Van Gogh with expressive, bold strokes.

How to use it: Add --stylize 2500 (or any number) at the end of your prompt to adjust the effect.

Midjourney pricing: Is it worth the cash?

There’s no Midjourney free tier anymore. If you want in, you’re subscribing, not just dabbling. 

Think of it like a battle pass for AI art — you get tiers, perks, and limits, but once you’re in, you can generate to your heart’s content (within your plan’s GPU time).

Midjourney tiers — choose your fighter

Fast vs. relaxed mode — why it matters

Midjourney has two speeds:

• Fast mode: Uses GPU time to generate images quickly. If you’re in a rush, this is what you want.
• Relaxed mode: Unlimited images, but slower during peak hours. Available from the Standard plan and up.
• Private mode — only on Pro & Mega plans: Want to create questionable prompts without judgment? Private mode keeps your images off public feeds. It’s only available on Pro and Mega, so if you’re generating secret project concepts (or just really weird AI memes), you’ll need to pay up.

Who should use Midjourney (and who shouldn’t)?

Midjourney is great for: 

• Art freaks & designers — If you want insanely polished AI art without tweaking settings for hours, Midjourney’s got you.
• Content creators & marketers — Need high-quality visuals fast? Midjourney can spit out engaging, eye-catching images for social posts, ads, and thumbnails.
• AI art enthusiasts — If you love experimenting with AI and don’t mind a paid subscription, this is one of the best tools out there. It also stacks up really well against Dall-E, and it’s easier to use than Stable Diffusion. 

Not ideal for:

• Anyone looking for a free tool — No Midjourney free tier here. If you don’t want to pay, look elsewhere.
• People who need custom models — Midjourney doesn’t let you train or fine-tune AI models.
• Those who want full control — Unlike Stable Diffusion, you can’t tweak every setting or run it locally.

Leonardo AI overview: Features, pricing, and who it's for

Leonardo AI is a bit friendlier. It’s packed with features, customization, and even some free-to-play perks. Whether you’re a casual creator or running a full-on design business, Leonardo AI has a ton of tools that let you tweak, refine, and even train custom models.

Let’s break down its core features: 

Leonardo AI features — power tools 

Leonardo is Minecraft with mods — total customization, endless tweaks, and fewer limits.

1. Multiple model versions — pick your creative weapon

Leonardo AI lets you swap between models like loadouts in Call of Duty. Whether you need hyperrealism, anime, or artsy abstraction, there’s a model ready to go:

• Alchemy v2 models (Lightning XL, Diffusion XL): If you need images sharper than a fresh katana, these models are the move.
• PhotoReal v1: AI-generated photos so realistic, your grandma might believe you took them.
• DreamShaper v7 (SD Finetune Model + Alchemy v1): Perfect balance between artistic and realistic — like a painting that’s one bad brushstroke away from coming to life.
• Stable Diffusion 1.5 & 2.1 options: For those who love tweaking settings and need full control over AI rendering.

How to switch models: No cryptic command lines here — just click the model you want before generating. Simple.

2. Alchemy Mode — turn your AI art up to 11

Alchemy Mode is pretty much giving your AI images a GPU-powered energy drink. It enhances lighting, boosts sharpness, and makes textures pop — because why settle for "good enough?" when you can get:

• More detail, better contrast, and next-level rendering.
• Something ideal for professional projects where “meh” isn’t an option.
• Works on multiple models, so you can level up any style.

3. Realtime Canvas — AI art, but interactive

Stop generating images blindfolded and hoping for the best. Leonardo AI’s Realtime Canvas lets you tweak images as they generate because you can:

• Draw directly on the canvas to guide composition.
• Make adjustments mid-generation instead of starting over 100 times.
• Instant previews — because who has time for waiting?

It’s basically Photoshop if Photoshop could read your mind.

4. Batch generation — because one image isn’t enough

AI-generated art is a gamble. Sometimes you get gold, sometimes you get… tentacles instead of hands. Leonardo lets you hedge your bets by generating multiple images at once to get these benefits:

• Crank out several images at the same time.
• Choose the best one instead of rerolling like it’s a gacha game.
• More choices = less time wasted on weird AI misfires.

5. Inpainting & unzooming — AI Photoshop without the migraines

Leonardo AI actually lets you fix AI mistakes instead of making you accept your fate by using these helpful features:

• Inpainting: Select and edit specific areas instead of regenerating the whole image. AI gave your character three eyebrows? Fix it.
• Unzooming: Expand images outward to add missing context. Need more background, or just want to see what’s behind that AI-generated wall? This is it. 

6. 3D texture & motion generation — beyond static images

Leonardo AI also supports 3D textures and motion generation, which makes it a must-have for game designers, animators, and anyone who refuses to settle for 2D.

Use AI-generated 3D textures for video games and animation. Plus, you have motion tools to create AI-generated movement. Then use the background removal tool so that your assets are clean and ready to go.

7. API access — automate your AI day

Want to scale AI art like a factory? Leonardo AI’s API lets you integrate AI image generation into your projects that let you:

• Generate AI art programmatically without using the web app.
• Custom API plans for businesses or power users.
• Auto top-up & tracking so you don’t run out of credits mid-project.

Note: It’s going to be way more expensive than the simple pricing plans. 

Leonardo AI pricing: More tiers than a dramatic anime finale

Unlike Midjourney’s subscription model, Leonardo AI works on a token-based system — meaning you’re paying for how much you generate, not just a flat fee for access.

Here’s a breakdown of what each plan gets you:

Leonardo AI tiers — pick your power-up

Wait, what are Fast Tokens and Rollover Tokens?

• Fast Tokens: These let you generate AI images instantly. Each tier gets a set amount per month, so don’t go too wild too fast.
• Rollover Tokens: Unlike Midjourney, which resets monthly, some Leonardo plans let you save up unused tokens for later. More expensive plans = bigger rollover banks.
• Concurrent Jobs: Want to multitask? Higher plans let you generate multiple images at once. Lower tiers? Get comfy waiting in line.
• Private Generations: Free users’ images are public, so unless you want your cyberpunk cowboy masterpiece showing up in someone else’s project, you’ll want a paid plan.

Who should use Leonardo AI?

• Game designers & concept artists — Need top-tier game assets, character concepts, or detailed illustrations? Leonardo AI is built for this, with fine-tuned models that nail industry aesthetics.
• AI tinkerers & control freaks — If you love messing with AI settings, custom training, and fine-tuning your models, Leonardo gives you way more freedom than Midjourney.
• Businesses & commercial users — Thanks to clear licensing and professional-grade outputs, Leonardo AI is a strong AF choice for those using AI art commercially.

Not ideal for:

• Anyone who hates math (a.k.a., token management) — Leonardo’s token-based system can feel like a survival horror inventory you constantly need to manage. If you want straight-up unlimited AI art, this ain’t it.
• People who just want quick, casual AI art — Midjourney and Weights give you simple “type a prompt, get an image” results. Leonardo requires more fiddling.
• Budget-conscious creators — While the free tier is decent, **Midjourney

Weights overview: Features, pricing, and who it's for

Weights is like YouTube — free, unlimited, and open to experimentation, but it doesn’t have those fugly ads. 

Unlike the others, it’s not just an image generator. You can train your own models, generate voices, chat with AI, and create videos, all without hitting a paywall.

Weights features — the AI playground with zero restrictions

Weights is the open-world sandbox where everything is unlocked from the start — no subscriptions, no weird credit systems—just raw AI power ready for you to use however you want.

1. Free, unlimited image generation — no tokens, no nonsense

Ever tried making AI art on other platforms, only to be met with the dreaded “You’ve run out of credits” notification? Not here. Weights lets you generate as many images as you want, for free. No paywalls, no artificial limits.

How it works: Just hop on Weights, type a prompt, and start generating. No queue system slowing you down. It’s instant, it’s free, and it just works.

2. Train your own AI models — build your signature style

Midjourney makes you pick from whatever model they’re pushing. Leonardo AI gives you a little flexibility. Weights lets you train your own AI model from scratch.

Want every image to have a hand-painted Studio Ghibli look? Or a gritty cyberpunk aesthetic? Train a model, fine-tune it, and make Weights pretty much a personal AI art factory.

Customization options include:

• Training AI on your own dataset
• Tweaking model weights to emphasize specific styles
• Saving your trained models for reuse anytime

3. More than just images — create AI voices, videos, and chatbots

Why stop at AI art? Weights does everything:

• Generate AI voices for narration, voiceovers, or just messing around.
• Create AI videos with smooth motion generation.
• Chat with AI models and experiment with character-driven interactions.
• Song covers — yes, Spongebob and Morgan Freeman dueting Let it Go is a thing now. 

Basically, it’s an entire AI content lab. 

4. Web-based and easy to use — no GPU hoarding required

Stable Diffusion wants you to install files, download models, tweak settings, and probably sacrifice a goat to make it work. Weights just works straight from your browser.

No setup, baby: Everything runs in the cloud, so you don’t need high-end hardware to create banger AI art. 

5. No sketchy licensing rules — your AI art is actually yours

Some AI platforms bury you in fine print about whether you really own your creations. Weights keeps it simple:

• Your AI-generated images belong to you.
• Use them within reason — No breaking third-party agreements or copyright rules.
• No weird ownership clauses where the company still claims rights to your work.

6. A real AI community — share, collaborate, and get inspired

Weights is a full-on community where users share their trained models, AI-generated content, and best practices.

What makes this cool?

• Access models trained by other users. Want a comic book-style AI model but don’t have time to train it? Someone’s probably already made one.
• Share your AI creations and collaborate with others.
• Experiment with different AI tools beyond just image generation.

Weights pricing 

It’s free. Didn’t we tell you it’s free? That means it costs $0. That’s it. Get out.

Who should use Weights (and who shouldn’t)?

Weights is great for:

• Anyone who hates paywalls — If you refuse to drop cash on AI credits or subscriptions, Weights gives you unlimited AI art for free. No hidden fees, no “trial periods” that expire in five minutes or after two or three images. (Hi, Dall-E!) 
• Creatives who want control — Train your own AI models, tweak parameters, and actually own the images you generate. Unlike Midjourney, you’re not locked into a single style. There’s models for dayz. 
• People who need more than just images — Want AI-generated voices? AI-powered video creation? Chatbots? Weights does all of that. It’s an entire AI sandbox.

Not ideal for:

• People who need ultra-specific, polished outputs instantly — Weights gives you tons of freedom, but Midjourney and Leonardo AI sometimes produce higher-quality images right out of the gate. If you need ultra-stylized perfection without tweaking, those might be a better fit.
• People who hate fun — Weights is a “click and done” solution with some adjustment options. You can still do a lot, but if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of AI coding and such, this ain’t it.

Midjourney vs. Leonardo vs. Weights: The winner

So, you’ve made it this far. You’ve seen Midjourney flex its artistic muscles, Leonardo AI throw down its customization options, and Weights waltz in with a "Why pay when you can get it for free?" attitude. But which one's actually the best fit for you? 

Let’s break it down.

Best choice for free making fire-AI art

🏆 Winner: Weights

• Unlimited free generations — no paywalls, no weird credit system, just create.
• No “relaxed mode” nonsense slowing you down.
• More than just images — voices, song covers, chats, videos, and custom AI models all in one place. Train your own and have fun. 

Best for artistic, creative images

🏆 Winner: Midjourney

• Still the king of high-quality, aesthetic AI art with that signature dreamy, painterly style.
• Model versions let you fine-tune outputs without needing a PhD in AI.
• Works great for concept artists, character designers, and anyone who wants "wow" factor in their images.

Best for game designers & commercial use

🏆 Winner: Leonardo AI

• Custom model training makes it a true boss for game assets, textures, and 3D model concepts.
• Built-in API and upscaling options make it ideal for businesses.
• Commercial-use-friendly plans mean you won’t run into legal headaches when using AI-generated assets in your projects.

Best for AI model training & customization

🏆 Winner: Weights

• Lets you train your own AI models instead of relying on preset styles.
• Open-source feel — adjust, tweak, and create exactly what you want.
• Great for AI enthusiasts who love fine-tuning their tools.

Best for unlimited image generation

🏆 Winner: Weights

• Again, it’s free. Midjourney caps generations with subscriptions. Leonardo AI uses credits. Weights? Just create.
• No “pay extra for private generations” or “fast hours” nonsense — prompt and go.

The final lowdown (“The finaaaal low-down” *cool synth*)

• Choose Midjourney if you want plug-and-play, artsy, aesthetic AI images with next-to-no effort.
• Choose Leonardo AI if you need pro-level tools, API access, or game-ready assets.
• Choose Weights if you want free, customizable AI tools that let you go beyond images into voice, video, and model training.

FAQs

Does Midjourney have a free tier?

Nope. Midjourney used to have a free trial, but that’s gone. Now, you need to subscribe, with plans starting at $10/month for limited generations.

How does Midjourney compare to Stable Diffusion?

Midjourney is focused on instant, high-quality AI art with minimal effort, while Stable Diffusion gives you full control — but you’ll need to set it up yourself. If you like plug-and-play simplicity, go Midjourney. If you want to train custom models, Stable Diffusion or Weights is the way to go.

Can you use AI-generated images commercially?

It depends on the platform. Midjourney allows commercial use, but only for paid users. Leonardo AI has specific licensing rules based on your plan. Weights? Totally free, totally commercial-use friendly.

Is Leonardo AI free?

Yes-ish, but with limits. Leonardo AI offers a free tier with 150 daily tokens, which can generate a handful of images. But if you want full access, you’ll need a paid plan or to buy API credits.

Which AI tool creates the highest-quality images?

That depends — Midjourney is great for artsy, cinematic styles. Leonardo AI offers ultra-detailed, photorealistic images. Weights gives you full freedom, letting you train your own AI models for exactly what you need, and there’s a bunch of ready, user-made models at your fingertips. 

Can I train a custom AI model with Midjourney?

Nope. Midjourney doesn’t let you train models — you’re stuck with what they provide. Leonardo AI has some model training, but Weights is the best option for full customization.

Create for free with Weights and have fun

When it comes to Midjourney vs. Leonardo AI, both platforms bring serious heat, but the best choice depends on what you need. 

if you want an AI art generator that’s completely free, flexible, and lets you train your own models, Weights is the clear winner. 

Weights is the ultimate free creative playground:

• 100% F R E E : No hidden fees, no credit systems — just start playing around. 
• More than just images: Train your own AI models, create AI voices, and experiment with video generation, all in one place.
• No learning curve, just results: No complicated setups or premium paywalls. Just hop in and start creating.
• Make some actual friends: Whether you're an artist, game developer, or just someone who loves messing around with AI, Weights lets you hang around an awesome community. 

Start creating on Weights today.