If you’re not interested in creating an Adobe account or if you’re in search of higher-quality AI images, you may be seeking alternatives to Adobe Firefly.
The good news is that there are various applications available that offer similar functionalities to Firefly. However, there isn’t a single platform that can fully replace Firefly. To achieve similar functionality, you’ll need to combine different AI image generators like Midjourney and Getimg.
In this article, I will present the best alternatives to Firefly and guide you on how to get started with them.
What is Adobe Firefly?
Adobe Firefly is a cutting-edge platform for AI image generation and editing. The suite offers a range of features, including:
- Text-to-image conversion
- Generative fill (removing/replacing objects)
- Image extension
Currently, it is available for a free trial. In the future, these features are expected to be fully integrated into Photoshop, which starts at a monthly cost of approximately $20.
Why Consider an Adobe Firefly Alternative?
There are several reasons why you might be interested in exploring alternatives to Firefly:
- Quality: Personally, I prioritize quality when choosing products. While Firefly is versatile and user-friendly, I still find myself using other apps like Midjourney to generate the initial base image.
- Content Filter: If your content has suggestive elements, having a reliable content filter is crucial. Given Adobe’s standing as a prominent public company, it is unlikely that they will permit NSFW or violent image generation or editing on their platform. Later on, I will share some options that can be run locally on your computer for creatives who require unfiltered platforms.
- Cost: While Firefly is currently free to try, it is anticipated that these AI features will eventually require a paid Photoshop subscription. Presently, Photoshop subscriptions start at around $21 per month, which may be cost-prohibitive for many non-professionals and hobbyists.
- Account Creation: Additionally, some individuals may not be interested in creating an Adobe account. This could be due to previous negative experiences with the company or the unavailability of their services in certain countries.
AI Image Generation Firefly Alternatives
There are numerous AI image generators available that are either free or surpass Firefly in terms of image quality. Here are a couple of noteworthy alternatives:
Midjourney
To use Midjourney, you will need to create a Discord account. Once you get started, the platform provides the best AI-generated images compared to other apps like Firefly, Stable Diffusion, and Dall-E.
However, Midjourney currently lacks a generative fill feature similar to Firefly. Therefore, if you wish to expand image borders, replace specific parts, or add/remove objects, you’ll need to explore other options.
While Midjourney serves as a solid foundation, let’s now explore Firefly alternatives specifically for generative fill, also known as outpainting and inpainting.
Bing Image Generator
Microsoft offers a free AI image generation tool powered by Dall-E called the Bing Image Generator. It’s incredibly easy to use, but the quality may vary.
The advantage of using Bing Image Generator is that you can regenerate a text-to-image prompt multiple times until you obtain a suitable result. Although there are better quality options available, Bing serves as a great introduction to generative AI images without spending any money.
Generative Fill Firefly Alternatives
This is an area where Firefly excels, making it challenging to find an alternative that surpasses Adobe in this aspect. Nonetheless, here are a couple of alternatives worth exploring:
Getimg
The simplest option is Getimg. This application utilizes Stable Diffusion models, enabling you to expand image borders using AI. It also provides an AI text editor that allows you to highlight specific parts of an image for modification through a text-to-image prompt.
Functionally, GetIMG operates similarly to Firefly. It offers a free trial, and paid plans start at $12 per month.
Local Stable Diffusion
This alternative requires some technical setup and a powerful desktop computer capable of running Stable Diffusion locally. The benefit of taking the local route is that you can also incorporate cool features like ControlNet, which allows you to adjust the poses and composition of AI-generated images.
Conclusion:
If you’re seeking alternatives to Adobe Firefly for text-to-image conversion and generative fill, there are various options available to suit your needs. While no single platform can fully replace Firefly, combining different AI image generators such as Midjourney and Getimg can provide similar functionality.
Adobe Firefly offers versatile features, but there are reasons why you might consider exploring alternatives. Factors such as image quality, content filtering, cost, and the need to create an Adobe account can influence your decision.
Midjourney stands out as a superior alternative to Firefly in terms of image quality, although it currently lacks a generative fill feature. Bing Image Generator, powered by Dall-E, is a free and user-friendly option for AI image generation, albeit with varying quality results.
For generative fill alternatives, Getimg offers simplicity and functionality similar to Firefly, while local Stable Diffusion requires technical setup but allows for advanced customization through features like ControlNet.
