Alternative to Midjourney
With a Free Tier & Custom Model Training
Midjourney sets the bar for artistic AI imagery, but requires $10 minimum to start and keeps your images public by default. BestPhoto offers 40+ free tools, custom model training, and private generations from day one.
What Midjourney Users Say
Mixed feedback from real users — Midjourney excels at artistic quality but has workflow trade-offs.
"The artistic quality is unmatched. Midjourney consistently produces visually stunning images with incredible detail and mood."
"Perfect for concept art and fantasy landscapes. The painterly aesthetic is exactly what I need for my creative projects."
"The new web editor with inpainting and layers is a game-changer. Finally don't need to export to Photoshop for every edit."
"Discord-only access was frustrating. Even with the web app now, the workflow feels clunky compared to standalone tools."
"No free tier means I had to commit $10 before knowing if it would work for my use case. Wish there was a trial."
"Customer support through Discord forums isn't ideal. When I had a billing issue, getting help was a slow process."
Sources: Trustpilot • G2 • Product Hunt
Midjourney vs BestPhoto: Feature Comparison
A direct comparison based on publicly available information and user reviews.
| Feature | Midjourney | BestPhoto |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | No free tier (suspended trial) | 40+ free tools + free generation tier |
| Starting Price | $10/month (Basic, ~200 images) | Free to start, flexible paid plans |
| Platform Access | Discord + Web app (after 10 images) | Direct web access, no Discord required |
| Image Quality | Exceptional artistic/painterly quality | High quality with multiple model options |
| Photo Editing | Inpainting, outpainting, layers (2025) | 8 specialized editing modes |
| Video Generation | Image-to-video (Pro/Mega plans only) | Multiple video options on all paid plans |
| Custom Model Training | Not available for personal models | Train models on your own photos |
| Privacy/Stealth Mode | Pro plan ($60/mo) or higher only | Private by default on all plans |
| Customer Support | Discord community forums | Direct email support |
| Commercial Rights | Included (companies >$1M need Pro+) | Included on all paid plans |
Midjourney: Honest Pros & Cons
Midjourney is the industry leader in artistic AI imagery. Here's a balanced view.
Midjourney Pros
- Industry-leading artistic and painterly image quality
- Exceptional for concept art, fantasy, and cinematic visuals
- New web editor with inpainting, outpainting, and layers
- Video generation available (image-to-video)
- Large community for inspiration and learning
- Multilingual prompt support
- Regular model updates (V7 in 2025)
- Strong for mood, atmosphere, and emotional imagery
Midjourney Cons
- No free tier — trial suspended, $10 minimum to start
- Discord-centric workflow can feel clunky
- Private mode requires $60/month Pro plan
- No custom model training on personal photos
- Support through Discord forums only
- Still struggles with hands, text, and anatomical details
- Prompt interpretation can be unpredictable
Why Consider BestPhoto
Key areas where BestPhoto offers a different approach.
Actually Free to Try
Midjourney suspended its free trial due to high demand — you need to pay $10 minimum before generating a single image. BestPhoto offers 40+ completely free editing tools and a free generation tier, so you can thoroughly explore the platform and see if it fits your workflow before spending anything.
BestPhoto: Start creating immediately, no credit card required
What you get:
- 40+ free editing tools
- Free image generation tier
- No credit card to start
- Test before committing
Train Models on Your Photos
Midjourney excels at artistic generation but doesn't offer personal model training — you can't upload your photos to create consistent AI versions of yourself. BestPhoto lets you train custom models on your own images for consistent headshots, product photos, or character generation.
BestPhoto: Create AI models trained on your actual photos
What you get:
- Train on your own photos
- Consistent character generation
- Perfect for headshots
- Great for product photography
No Discord Required
Midjourney historically required Discord for all interactions, and while they now have a web app, it only unlocks after generating 10 images and the Discord integration remains central to the experience. BestPhoto is a straightforward web platform — just sign up and start creating without learning Discord commands or joining servers.
BestPhoto: Direct web access from day one
What you get:
- No Discord account needed
- Intuitive web interface
- No /imagine commands to learn
- Simpler project organization
Click to play
Specialized Editing Modes
Midjourney's 2025 editor update added inpainting, outpainting, and layers — solid features for a generation-focused tool. BestPhoto offers 8 dedicated editing modes designed for specific tasks: Replace, Restyle, Remove, Re-composition, Add Objects, Restoration, Clothing Replacement, and Concept Transformation.
BestPhoto: Purpose-built modes for different editing tasks
What you get:
- 8 specialized editing modes
- Clothing replacement
- Photo restoration
- Concept transformation
Private by Default
Midjourney images are public by default — everyone in Discord can see what you create. Private "Stealth Mode" requires the $60/month Pro plan or higher. BestPhoto keeps your generations private by default on all plans, so your creative work stays between you and the platform.
BestPhoto: Privacy included, not a premium upsell
What you get:
- Private generations by default
- No public gallery exposure
- Secure for business use
- No $60/mo privacy tax
Click to play
Which Tool is Right for You?
Both tools have their strengths. Here's a quick guide.
Midjourney might be better if you:
- Prioritize artistic, painterly aesthetics above all
- Create concept art, fantasy, or cinematic visuals
- Don't mind the Discord-based workflow
- Are comfortable paying $10+ to try the platform
BestPhoto might be better if you:
- Want to try before you pay (free tier)
- Need custom models trained on your photos
- Prefer private generations without paying $60/mo
- Want a straightforward web app, no Discord
Important: What to Expect from Any AI Image Tool
- •AI image generation isn't perfect — expect some iterations
- •Hands, fingers, and complex poses can be challenging for any AI
- •Results depend heavily on prompt quality and specificity
- •Some prompts work better than others — there's a learning curve
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Midjourney worth it?
Midjourney is the gold standard for artistic AI imagery — especially for concept art, fantasy, and cinematic visuals. If you prioritize aesthetic quality and don't mind the Discord-based workflow and $10 minimum entry, it's an excellent tool. The main trade-offs are no free tier, public images by default, and no personal model training.
Does Midjourney have a free trial?
No — Midjourney suspended its free trial due to high demand. You need to pay at least $10/month (Basic plan) to generate any images. BestPhoto offers 40+ free tools and a free generation tier so you can explore before committing.
Can I train Midjourney on my own photos?
No — Midjourney doesn't offer personal model training. You can't upload your photos to create consistent AI versions of yourself or your products. BestPhoto offers custom model training so you can generate consistent images of yourself, characters, or products.
Are Midjourney images private?
By default, no. All Midjourney generations are visible to others in your Discord server and the public gallery. Private "Stealth Mode" requires the $60/month Pro plan or higher. BestPhoto keeps your generations private by default on all plans.
Which has better image quality?
For artistic, painterly, and cinematic imagery, Midjourney is generally considered the industry leader. BestPhoto offers high-quality generation with multiple model options and excels in different areas: custom training, specialized editing modes, and realistic photo generation. The "best" quality depends on your specific use case.
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