I ran the same prompt in six free AI photo generators and scored each one on the same six points: realism, prompt accuracy, faces and hands, text handling, photo editing and free access. This page shows the exact prompt, my scoring method, the first result from each tool and which tool I would pick for which job.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Every tool got the same prompt, on the same day, and I used the first result, not the best of many.
- No single tool wins every job. Realism, prompt accuracy and photo editing are different strengths.
- Free limits and sign-up rules change often, so check each tool's page before you start.
- Use the prompts below to run the same test yourself and compare with my results.
How I Tested
Most comparison pages show a tool's best picture. That tells you nothing, because any tool can produce one good image. I used a stricter method:
- One prompt: the same text for every tool, with no changes.
- One day: all tests ran in the same session, and every image shows the test date.
- First result only: no cherry-picking and no regenerating until it looks good.
- Free access only: no paid plan for any tool.
- Same scoring sheet: six points, scored from 1 to 5, for a total out of 30.
The prompt follows our 5-part prompt formula, so each tool received a clear subject, style, lighting, camera and mood. If you are new to prompts, start with the complete beginner guide.
The Two Test Prompts
Copy them and run the same test yourself. The first one creates an image from text. The second edits your own uploaded photo, in tools that allow uploads. I left the watermark line out here on purpose, so that it does not affect the score.
Test Prompt 01 (Create)
Test Prompt 01
Used in every tool (Create)
A woman in her thirties wearing a mustard-yellow raincoat, laughing, looking slightly off camera, holding a paper cup of tea [subject], candid realistic photograph on a quiet cobblestone street after rain, softly blurred shopfronts behind her [style], soft overcast daylight with a gentle rim light from behind [lighting], 85mm lens, f/1.8, eye-level, waist-up shot, sharp focus on the eyes [camera], calm mood, muted natural colours, natural skin texture with visible pores [mood]. Free from extra fingers, warped text and plastic skin.
Test Prompt 02 (Edit your own photo)
Test Prompt 02
Used in every tool that allows uploads (Edit)
Edit the uploaded photo. Keep my exact face, bone structure, skin tone and expression, and do not beautify or blend the face. Keep my outfit and pose unchanged, change the background to a quiet park path with soft green blur, and relight with warm golden-hour sunlight from camera right. Keep real skin texture and pores. Do not alter my facial identity in any way.
The Scoring Method
| Point | What I checked | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Realism | Does it look like a real photograph, with natural skin and believable light? | 1 to 5 |
| Prompt accuracy | Did it include every detail you asked for, such as clothing, place, light and lens look? | 1 to 5 |
| Faces and hands | Are faces natural and are fingers correct? | 1 to 5 |
| Text handling | Is any text in the image readable and correct? | 1 to 5 |
| Editing a real photo | Can you upload your own photo and edit it, and does it keep your face? | 1 to 5 |
| Free access | How easy is it to use for free, and what are the limits and watermarks? | 1 to 5 |
Note: Scores are my own judgement on one test day. They show how each tool behaved on this prompt, not a permanent ranking.
The Six Tools, One by One
1. ChatGPT
2. Gemini
3. Microsoft Copilot
4. Meta AI
5. Leonardo AI
6. Ideogram
Results at a Glance
Which Tool Should You Pick?
If your results look fake, the cause is usually the prompt and not the tool. Read our guide to the 15 mistakes that make AI photos look fake and run the test again.
What This Test Cannot Tell You
- One prompt is one sample. A tool that did badly here may do well on a landscape or a product.
- Results change on every run. The same prompt gives a different image next time.
- Tools update often. A tool can improve or get worse within weeks.
- Free limits change. Check each tool's current pricing and usage terms before you rely on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which free AI photo generator is best?
It depends on your job. A tool that follows long prompts well is not always the best at realistic skin or at editing your own photo. Compare them on the same prompt, using the scores in this guide, and pick by the job you need done.
Are these AI photo generators really free?
Free access changes often. Many tools offer a limited number of free images, slower speeds, watermarks or a sign-up requirement. Check the tool's own pricing page on the day you use it.
Why did you use the same prompt for every tool?
A fair comparison changes only one thing. If the prompt changes, you cannot tell whether a better result came from the tool or from the wording.
Will the same prompt give the same result next time?
No. AI image tools produce a new result on each run, and tools are updated often. That is why we show the date of every test and use the first result, not the best of many.
Can I use the images I generate for my business or channel?
Usage rules differ for each tool and plan, and they change. Read the tool's current terms before using an image commercially.
Final Thoughts
The best free AI photo generator is the one that does your job well, not the one with the loudest marketing. Run the two test prompts above in the tools you already use, score them on the same six points, and keep the one that wins for your own work. Then use our prompt guides to get more from it.
