AI image generators have exploded in popularity, offering a diverse range of options. Two prominent contenders, Midjourney and Grok 2, stand out from the crowd, which also includes Dall-E, Firefly, Stable Diffusion, and Playground AI. Midjourney is renowned for its stunningly realistic images, while Grok 2 is known for its ability to generate virtually any image imaginable, pushing boundaries of copyright and societal norms. This article will compare these two AI powerhouses, exploring their pricing, features, and capabilities to help you determine which best suits your needs.
Midjourney River image.
Pricing and Subscription Tiers
Both Midjourney and Grok require a paid subscription. Grok is accessible through X Premium ($7/month) or X Premium+ ($14/month), offering reduced ads and content creation features. Early access to Grok is bundled with these subscriptions.
Midjourney offers four subscription tiers, billed monthly or annually. The Basic plan ($10/month) provides 3.3 hours of Fast GPU time, with additional time purchasable for $4 per hour. The Standard plan ($30/month) grants 15 hours of Fast GPU time and unlimited Relax GPU time. The Pro Plan ($60/month) offers 30 hours of Fast GPU time and prioritized queue placement. Finally, the Mega plan ($120/month) provides 60 Fast GPU hours. Companies with over $1,000,000 in annual gross revenue are required to subscribe to the Pro or Mega plan.
Harry Potter AI generated image in the style of Wes Anderson.
Grok: Features and Capabilities
Developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, Grok is a chatbot similar to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot. Trained on a vast dataset of internet data and X user data, Grok has knowledge up to late 2023. Its unique integration with X allows real-time access to information on the platform. This real-time access keeps Grok current but also increases the risk of factual inaccuracies and inappropriate responses.
Grok 2, the latest version, integrates the Flux.1 model by Black Forrest Labs, enabling image generation. Notably, Grok 2 lacks the safety guardrails present in other AI image generators, allowing for the creation of copyrighted, violent, racist, or otherwise harmful content.
Midjourney: Features and Capabilities
Midjourney is a leading AI image generator, known for its versatility and high-quality output. It generates images based on natural language prompts entered via a Discord bot or the company’s web editor. Midjourney can create images in various styles, from cartoons and illustrations to photorealistic images.
First released in 2022, Midjourney has undergone several iterations, with version 6.1 released in July 2024. Its artwork has graced the covers of prominent publications like The Economist and The Atlantic. Midjourney’s Théâtre D’opéra Spatial even won first place in a digital art competition.
AI Pope Francis in a Puffy Winter Jacket
Midjourney’s content moderation system has evolved. Unlike earlier versions that relied on banned keywords, version 5 and beyond utilize a more nuanced, context-dependent approach. This allows for greater flexibility while still preventing the generation of harmful content.
Théâtre D
Which AI Image Generator is Right for You?
For most users, Midjourney is the superior choice. Unless your goal is to circumvent copyright or generate potentially harmful content, Midjourney offers a powerful and versatile platform for creating stunning AI-generated images. Its advanced features, robust moderation system, and established reputation make it a compelling option.
