Midjourney is one of the best-known AI image generators, used by designers, marketers and hobbyists to turn short text prompts into detailed, stylised pictures. It now runs in a web app as well as on Discord, and it can also animate still images into short video clips.
This guide explains what it does, how to get started, what the current plans include, where it shines and where it falls short. You will also find free alternatives, practical prompt examples and the parameters that matter most in the current version.
What is Midjourney?
Midjourney is made by an independent research lab of the same name based in San Francisco. Its main product is a text-to-image AI model. You describe what you want, and the model generates a grid of images that you can refine, upscale, edit or animate.
As of September 2026, the default model is V8.2, released on 24 July 2026 with a focus on aesthetics and image quality. V8.1, released in April 2026, added faster generation, better prompt adherence and HD images up to 2048px. Older models such as V7 and V6.1 are still selectable, and Niji 7 is a separate model tuned for anime and Eastern illustration styles.
Common use cases include concept art, mood boards, illustrations, product and marketing visuals, social media graphics, book and album covers, and short animated clips.
Key features
- Text-to-image generation: Type a prompt and get a set of image options in a strong, polished visual style.
- Edit Model: Available with V8.1 and V8.2, it lets you change an existing image with written instructions and combine up to four reference images.
- Editor with inpainting and outpainting: Change a selected area of an image or extend the canvas beyond its original edges.
- Style References and Moodboards: Guide the look of new images using pictures whose style you want to match.
- Personalization: Rate images to build a profile, and the model learns your aesthetic preferences over time.
- Video: Animate an image into a 5-second clip that can be extended to about 21 seconds, in 480p or 720p depending on your plan.
- Prompt parameters: Short commands such as –ar, –stylize and –chaos give precise control over shape, style and variety.
How to get started with Midjourney
- Go to midjourney.com and create an account or sign in.
- Choose a subscription plan. There is no free trial on the website or on Discord.
- Open the Create page and type your prompt into the Imagine bar at the top.
- Use the settings panel to pick the model version, aspect ratio and stylization, or add parameters to the end of your prompt.
- Review the results, then upscale, vary, edit or animate the image you like best.
- Download your finished image from the image view in the web app.
If you prefer Discord, you can still join the official Midjourney server and use the /imagine command. The web app is the easier choice for most beginners.
Midjourney pricing and free plan
The service is paid and subscription-only. The table below shows the plans listed in the official documentation as of September 2026. Check the official pricing page for the latest, as prices and allowances can change.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price | Fast GPU time per month | Relax Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10 | $96 ($8/month) | 3.3 hours | No |
| Standard | $30 | $288 ($24/month) | 15 hours | Unlimited images |
| Pro | $60 | $576 ($48/month) | 30 hours | Unlimited images and SD video |
| Mega | $120 | $1,152 ($96/month) | 60 hours | Unlimited images and SD video |
A few details matter when choosing a plan. Stealth Mode, which keeps your images and videos private, is only included with Pro and Mega. Companies earning more than $1,000,000 USD in gross revenue per year must use Pro or Mega. Extra Fast GPU time can be bought at $4 per hour. The only free trial is a limited one in the separate niji·journey mobile app for iOS and Android.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Distinctive, high-quality aesthetic with little effort | No free plan or free trial on the main website |
| Easy web app, plus Discord for existing users | Fast GPU hours on the Basic plan run out quickly |
| Strong editing tools: Edit Model, inpainting and outpainting | Private (Stealth) mode requires the more expensive plans |
| Fine control through parameters and style references | Parameters take time to learn for beginners |
| Image-to-video animation included in all plans | Video uses a lot of GPU time, especially in HD |
Who should use Midjourney?
It suits people who need attractive, artistic images regularly: illustrators, concept artists, designers, marketers, content creators and small studios. It is also a good fit if you care about visual style more than strict photographic accuracy.
It is less suitable if you only need an occasional image, want a completely free tool, or need to run a model on your own computer. Businesses that need private generations should budget for the Pro or Mega plan.
Midjourney alternatives
- Stable Diffusion: Open models you can run locally for free if you have a capable GPU, with a huge ecosystem of community styles and tools.
- Adobe Firefly: Integrated with Photoshop and other Adobe apps, useful if you already work in the Adobe ecosystem.
- ChatGPT image generation: Create and edit images in a conversation, which is convenient for quick iterations and images that include text.
- Ideogram: Known for handling typography inside images, such as posters and logos, with free and paid options (check its site for current limits).
Whichever generator you choose, a good prompt makes the biggest difference. Our free Image Prompt Builder helps you put together structured Midjourney and Stable Diffusion prompts, and our Prompt Library gives you ready-made ideas to adapt. Once you have your images, you can switch formats with Convert Image (JPG, PNG and WebP) and shrink file sizes for your website with Compress Image.
Tips for better results
Describe the subject, setting, lighting, style and mood in plain, specific words. Put the most important idea first, and add parameters at the very end of the prompt. These are the parameters most worth learning, as described in the official documentation:
- –ar (or –aspect): Sets the aspect ratio, for example –ar 16:9 or –ar 9:16. The default is 1:1, and decimals are not allowed.
- –stylize (or –s): Controls how much artistic freedom the model takes. The range is 0 to 1000 and the default is 100; lower values follow your prompt more closely.
- –chaos (or –c): Adds variety between the images in a set. The range is 0 to 100 and the default is 0.
- –raw: Turns off some of the automatic beautification, which helps for realistic photos and precise styles.
- –no: Excludes elements, for example –no text, people. This works better than writing “without” in the prompt.
- –v (or –version): Chooses the model, for example –v 8.2 or –v 7. You can also set a default version in settings.
- –seed: Reuses a starting point so you can reproduce and compare similar results.
Here are four example prompts you can copy and adapt:
- Product photo:
minimalist ceramic coffee mug on a light oak table, soft morning window light, shallow depth of field, clean studio photography --ar 4:5 --raw --stylize 50 - Blog header:
isometric illustration of a small home office with a laptop, plants and bookshelves, pastel colour palette, flat vector style --ar 16:9 --no text - Concept art:
ancient stone city built into a canyon wall at sunset, glowing lanterns, cinematic wide shot, epic fantasy concept art --ar 21:9 --stylize 400 --chaos 20 - Portrait:
close-up portrait of an elderly fisherman with a weathered face, overcast coastal light, 85mm lens, natural skin texture --ar 2:3 --raw --v 8.2
Change one parameter at a time so you can see what it actually does. When a result is close but not right, use the Editor to fix a specific area instead of starting over.
Frequently asked questions
Is Midjourney free?
No. Midjourney has no free plan, and the official documentation says no free trial is available on the website or Discord. A limited trial exists only in the niji·journey mobile app. Paid plans start with Basic.
Do I need Discord to use Midjourney?
No. You can create, edit and animate images directly at midjourney.com. Discord remains an option for people who prefer commands such as /imagine.
Can I use Midjourney images commercially?
Paid subscribers generally have commercial usage rights, but companies with more than $1,000,000 USD in yearly gross revenue must be on the Pro or Mega plan. Read the official Terms of Service for the full conditions.
Which Midjourney version should I use?
For most people, the default V8.2 is the best starting point. Try Niji 7 for anime and illustration styles, or an older version such as V7 if you want to match earlier work.
Sources and further reading: Midjourney plans comparison, Midjourney model versions, Midjourney parameter list.