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| Midjourney | Ideogram | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | No free plan | Free weekly credits for eligible accounts |
| Entry paid plan | Basic $10/mo ($8/mo annual) | Plus $20/mo ($15/mo annual) |
| Next tier | Standard $30/mo | Pro $60/mo ($42/mo annual) |
| Private generations | Stealth Mode on Pro and Mega only | Unpublished images on Plus and Pro |
| Commercial use | Allowed; companies over $1M/yr revenue need Pro or Mega | Ideogram says you’re free to use images commercially |
Pick Midjourney if…
You want artistic, high-quality images and don’t mind paying from day one.
Pick Ideogram if…
You need readable text inside images (posters, thumbnails, logos) or want to start free.
Sources: Midjourney plan comparison, ideogram.ai/pricing (checked Oct 2026). The “pick if” notes are my opinion.
A quick rule of thumb
If words on the image matter, like a poster, a thumbnail or a logo, start with Ideogram. It’s much better at readable text, and eligible accounts get free weekly credits.
If the look matters most and you’re fine paying from day one, Midjourney is the one. Basic is $10/mo. Keep in mind that on the cheaper plans your images are public on Midjourney’s site.
Not sure? Run the same prompt in Ideogram’s free credits first. If you love the result, you may not need Midjourney at all.