My go-to AI Tools for creating images and videos (That actually work) + Buyer's guide
Start your AI Art journey with the right tools.
Updated on July 9th, 2025
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I've been experimenting with AI creative tools for two years now, and honestly? Most of them promise way more than they deliver. But a few have genuinely changed how I work.
Let me save you some time and money by sharing what I actually use. Not what tech blogs claim you should use.
Prices as of July 9th, 2025
What I've learned using these AI tools
Midjourney spoiled me for everything else. Once you get used to its image quality and style controls, other tools feel clunky. The reference features become absolutely essential for maintaining consistency across projects. I can finally create a series that looks cohesive instead of random. Its video generation is really awesome!
Buyer’s guide: If you're serious about getting stunning image quality, Midjourney remains unbeatable. Yes, it's pricier than some alternatives, but you're paying for quality results. The learning curve isn't too steep either, which makes the investment worthwhile for anyone who needs reliable, high-quality visuals.
Ideogram solved my text problem. Most AI tools make fonts that look gibberish or completely unreadable. Ideogram actually creates clean, readable text that matches your image style. The Canvas feature lets me overlay typography on my Midjourney images without needing to search and purchase multiple display fonts.
Buyer’s guide: Don't fall for the batch generation trap by assuming that you can generate unlimited images with Ideogram's Relax/ free mode (they call it "slow credits"). Their pricing page doesn't clearly explain that batch generation only works when you have priority credits. Once you're running out of priority credits, you're stuck waiting.
Even worse, Relax mode frequently becomes unavailable for hours or sometimes half a day. You can only run one Relax job at a time, which can be frustrating when you need multiple images. However, until Midjourney figures out text rendering, Ideogram remains my top choice for images with typography and text elements. Their text generation actually works reliably, which is more than I can say for most competitors.
ChatGPT is where I started, and it's fine for beginners. Easy to use, lots of tutorials online. But here's the problem: everyone can spot ChatGPT imagery from a mile away. It has this distinctive look that screams "I used AI." Great for quick mock-ups, terrible for anything professional.
Buyer’s guide: You probably didn't subscribe to ChatGPT just for image generation. It's incredibly versatile, handling everything from writing to analysis. For beginners who need images with text, ChatGPT offers the easiest entry point. The interface feels familiar, and you don't need to learn specialized prompting techniques. While the image quality won't match dedicated tools like Midjourney, it's perfectly adequate for basic needs and casual projects.
Runway’s Gen-4 image references help maintain visual consistency between shots and complement the Midjourney Omni-reference feature for character consistency. However, the Midjourney video feature has far outgrown its current capabilities.
Buyer’s guide: I'm waiting for Runway to announce something HUGE before considering a longer subscription. Their updates have become frustratingly infrequent, and the video output isn't keeping pace with newer competitors. Gen-4's image reference feature works well, but it still falls short of Midjourney's aesthetic quality. The platform feels like it's coasting while others innovate rapidly.
Kling AI handles what Runway can't. Like fast-moving action. Car chases, sports footage, anything dynamic. The quality is genuinely impressive with their 2.1 model. My only complaint is their credit system is expensive and makes me overthink every generation rather than freely explore.
Buyer’s guide: The AI video generation space moves incredibly fast - literally, every week brings new features and competitors. Unless you're certain about committing to one platform, think carefully before signing up for yearly subscriptions. The landscape changes so quickly that what seems cutting-edge today might feel outdated next week. Having said that, I like Kling AI's prompt adherence, which increases the success rate of generating usable video clips.
The supporting tools that I frequently use
Beyond the fancy AI stuff, I rely on some boring but essential software:
Canva for layouts and quick edits
CapCut for video editing (free and surprisingly capable)
PDFgear instead of Adobe's overpriced PDF tools
Napkin for work infographics that don't look amateur
Venngage when I need additional professional templates
Topaz Labs products (for Upscaling)
Hedra for lip sync
I've basically replaced Adobe Photoshop with Canva + Midjourney + Ideogram for most projects. Unless you're doing super technical photo manipulation, this combo handles everything, including print-ready materials.
My actual workflow
I don't use these tools in isolation. Usually I'll start concepts in Midjourney, add text elements in Ideogram, then assemble everything in Canva. For video, I prototype ideas in Midjourney where I can fail cheaply (or no cost with Relax mode), then recreate the winners in Kling for final output.
The biggest mistake I see people make? Expecting one tool to do everything. Each excels at specific tasks. Midjourney for stunning visuals, Ideogram for text integration, Runway for consistent characters, Kling for polished action sequences.
I hope you find this article useful and happy creating!
what about upscaling tools??