Generate striking AI images from simple text prompts
Paid
Leonardo AI
Generate, edit, and upscale AI images and assets
Freemium
Free trial
Overview
Overview
Leonardo AI is a generative content platform focused on AI image creation. Users produce images from text prompts using a range of base and community-trained models, with controls for style, composition, resolution, and prompt strength. The product is widely used by designers, game developers, and content creators who need repeatable, on-brand visual output.
What it does
Beyond basic text-to-image, Leonardo provides tools such as image-to-image generation, in-canvas editing, inpainting and outpainting, background removal, and upscaling. Features like Elements and Image Guidance (ControlNet-style guidance) give users more precise control over pose, depth, and composition. Users can also train their own fine-tuned models on custom datasets.
Models and workflow
The platform ships with several first-party models, including its Phoenix and PhotoReal-oriented options, alongside a large library of community models. A credit (token) system governs generations, with faster or higher-resolution outputs consuming more credits. An API is available for teams that want to integrate generation into their own products and pipelines.
Who it's for
The platform fits creators, marketing teams, and studios producing concept art, game assets, product mockups, and social or marketing visuals. Canva acquired it in 2024, which widened its reach among general design users while a standalone product stayed in place for power users.
Pricing
A free tier comes with daily credits, and several paid subscription tiers add more monthly credits, higher concurrency, and access to advanced features. Because pricing runs on credits, heavy or high-resolution use scales the cost accordingly.
Pros
- ✓Wide selection of base and community models for varied styles
- ✓Generous free daily credits for evaluation
- ✓Strong control tools for composition and consistency
- ✓API available for team and product integrations
Cons
- ✕Credit-based pricing can get expensive for high-volume use
- ✕Output quality varies between community models
- ✕Learning curve for advanced guidance and training features
Key features
Text-to-image generation
Create images from text prompts using first-party and community-trained models.
In-canvas editing
Edit, inpaint, and outpaint generated images directly within the platform.
Image guidance and Elements
Control pose, depth, and composition with ControlNet-style guidance and reusable style Elements.
Custom model training
Train fine-tuned models on your own datasets for consistent, on-brand output.
Upscaling and background tools
Increase resolution and remove backgrounds to prepare assets for production.
Developer API
Integrate image generation into your own apps and pipelines via the Leonardo API.
Leonardo AI comparisons
Leonardo AI alternatives
See all →Generative AI video, image, and editing tools for creators
Freemium
Free trial
Canva's all-in-one suite of AI design tools
Freemium
Free trial
Affiliate
AI product photo editing and background removal for online stores
Freemium
Free trial
Frequently asked questions
- Yes, it offers a free plan with a recurring daily credit allowance. Paid subscriptions add more credits, concurrency, and advanced features.
- Yes, Leonardo lets you train custom fine-tuned models on your own image datasets to produce consistent, on-brand results.
- Yes, a developer API is available so teams can integrate image generation into their own applications and workflows.
- Leonardo AI became part of Canva in 2024 but continues to operate as a standalone product alongside Canva's design tools.
Editor’s note
Leonardo AI is one of the more capable standalone image generators, balancing approachable prompting with deep control tools and custom model training. The free daily credits make it easy to test, though heavy production users should model out credit costs before committing to a plan.