Unlock digital artistry: AI transforms text into stunning visuals.
AI Categories: text to image, image generators, design generators
Since its launch in 2021, Midjourney has swiftly climbed the ranks in the AI art generation scene — captivating professional and casual artists alike with its impressive ability to create vivid, intricate visuals.
Curious if Midjourney is the right AI tool for you? This comprehensive review should help.
In it, we explore each of Midjourney’s features, highlight its pros, explore its limitations, and share our honest opinion on its functionality, versatility, and much more. Plus, if you decide to try it out, we've included some tutorials to get you started on the right foot.
Our team of AI experts devotes considerable time to staying informed on AI developments and meticulously evaluating tools. We are dedicated to thorough, unbiased insights and base our endorsements solely on our honest assessment.
Category | Rating (out of 5) | Pros | Cons |
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Functionality & Features | 4.7 |
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Accessibility | 3.0 |
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Accuracy & Reliability | 4.2 |
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Cost-Efficiency | 4.0 |
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Customization & Flexibility | 4.7 |
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Data Privacy & Security | 3.2 |
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Ease of Use | 3.7 |
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Ethical Considerations | 3.3 |
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Integration & Compatibility | 3.7 |
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Performance & Speed | 4.3 |
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Support & Resources | 4.3 |
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NOTE: You’ll find tutorials relevant to specific use cases throughout the following sections.
Although Midjourney struggles to render multiple consistent characters in one image, and learning how to prompt effectively takes some effort, its wide range of versatile features makes it an undeniably robust powerhouse.
Whether creating images through Midjourney’s website or on Discord, you’ll start by crafting your prompt — for which you have several options, including:
You can also explore more advanced prompting techniques, such as:
Technique | Description |
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Multi Prompts | Blend multiple text concepts into one image For example, instead of "spaceship," say "space:: ship" to direct Midjourney to think about "space" and "ship" separately then mix them together — which may give you an image of a ship sailing through space. |
Permutation Prompts | Create multiple prompt variations with a single command For example, adding "a {red, green, yellow} bird" to your prompt creates and processes three jobs: one with red birds, one with yellow birds, and another with green birds. |
Blend Command | Merge 2–5 images into a new image |
Tutorial: Mastering Midjourney’s Image Prompts: 4 Key Methods
Provide Midjourney with more insight into your vision by adding one or more of the following parameters to the end of your prompts:
Technique | Description |
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Aspect Ratio | Define the dimensions of the image |
Chaos | Control the level of randomness in the image generation process |
Character Reference | Specify a character/subject for more accurate representation in the image Tutorial: Midjourney CREF Deep Dive |
Image Weight | Determine the importance of the image vs. text portion of a prompt, which is useful when you don’t want reference image to dominate the final output |
No | Exclude specific elements from being generated (e.g., “--no plants” removes plants from the image) |
Model Version | Switch model versions, each of which offers its own unique style |
Personalization | Rank pairs of images so Midjourney learns your specific tastes Learn more |
Quality | Determine how much time is spent generating an image, which affects images’ level of detail & refinement |
Repeat | Automatically run a prompt multiple times, which is useful for iterating through options quickly (e.g., adding --repeat 5 to a prompt will generate the same image prompt five times) |
Seed | Recreate specific images or ensure consistency across multiple generations |
Stop | Stop the image generation at a specific point to achieve different artistic effects (e.g., haunting, blurry, or dreamlike images) Tutorial: How to Use the Stop Parameter in Midjourney |
Style | Create different effects by altering an image’s aesthetic qualities
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Style Reference | Apply the stylistic elements of an example image to generated images Tutorial: 15 Amazing SREF Styles + NEW Blending Technique |
Stylize | Balance between realistic & highly stylized images by influencing how strongly Midjourney’s default color, composition, & form is applied (e.g., low value = more realistic images; high value = more creative, abstract images) |
Tile | Create images that can seamlessly repeat, which is helpful for textures & patterns |
Style Tune | Generate a range of images with different visual styles (not compatible with Version 6) |
Video | Create a video of the art being generated Tutorial: Create an AI Art progress video in Midjourney |
Weird | Enhance abstract & unconventional elements in an image Tutorial: Midjourney’s Newest Weird Feature |
Once Midjourney has interpreted your prompt and generated four variations, you can edit one or more of these images further using:
Technique | Description |
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Pan | Expand an image’s dimensions in a chosen direction without changing the content of the original image (not compatible with Midjourney 6) |
Reroll | Generate a new set of four images from the same prompt |
Upscale | See an image in higher resolution by clicking the ‘U’ button corresponding to that image (e.g., U1 for the first image). Optionally upscale further with:
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Variations | See more variations of a particular image by clicking the ‘V’ button corresponding to that image (e.g., V1 for the first image) |
Vary Region | Regenerate a certain part of an image while keeping everything else the same |
Vary Region + Remix | Regenerate specific parts of an image by editing your prompt |
Zoom Out | Expand an image in a chosen direction without changing the content or dimensions of the original image Tutorial: Make EPIC Fake Sets for VIDEO with AI Tools |
You can also enhance your images using the Midjourney website’s powerful editing tool, which integrates multiple options for refinement into one easy-to-use interface. With this tool, you can:
To access your settings on:
NOTE: Your website and Discord settings are synced — meaning that if you change your settings in one place, they'll automatically change in the other.
The preferences you can set in ‘Settings’ include:
Technique | Description |
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Model Version | E.g., If you frequently create anime-style images, set the Niji model as your default to always use this model without needing to specify it in each prompt |
RAW Mode | Requires more GPU time |
Stylize | See Parameters |
Image Visibility | Share your images with the community (Public mode) or maintain privacy (Stealth Mode) |
Remix | See Editing Tools |
Variation | Includes ‘Remix Mode,’ which changes how the variation buttons (e.g., V1, V2, V3, V4) work |
Image Quality | See Parameters |
Upscale | See Editing Tools |
Sticky Style | Save & apply your last ‘style’ code parameter to all future prompts (e.g., if you use a prompt with “--style 4a3c” for a custom cyberpunk style you created, Sticky Style saves this and applies a cyberpunk style to your next prompt) |
Generation Speed | Prioritize speed or cost based on your timelines & budget by selecting either:
TIP: Use the /info command before and after running a process to see how many of your remaining GPU minutes the generation used. |
Reset | Return to Midjourney’s default settings for everything except your image visibility, remix, variation, & generation speed preferences |
NOTE: To temporarily adjust settings for certain prompts, simply add the desired parameters to your prompt. This will not alter your default settings.
Commands are text instructions that kick-start actions and steer your interactions with Midjourney.
You can use the following commands on both the Midjourney website and Discord:
Command | What It Does |
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/blend | Combine 2-5 images |
/describe | Get 4 example prompts based on an image you upload |
/info | See information about your account & queued or running jobs |
On Discord only, you can use the following commands:
Command | How It Helps |
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/ask | Get an answer to a question |
/faq | Quickly generate a link to popular FAQs |
/help | See helpful basic information & tips about Midjourney |
/imagine | Generate an image by writing a prompt |
/model | Switch between models to explore different artistic styles & capabilities |
/prefer remix | Toggle Remix mode |
/prefer variability | Toggle between high & low image variations |
/settings | Access setting options |
/shorten | Submit a long prompt & get suggestions for making it more concise |
/show | Use an images Job ID to regenerate the job within Discord |
/subscribe | Generate a personal link for a user's account page |
/synonyms | Explore related words & phrases to try in your prompts |
/tune | Generate a Style Tuner based on your prompt, which lets you make your own Midjourney style & customize the look of your jobs |
/userid | Get your Midjourney User ID |
Midjourney has room for improvement when it comes to accessibility.
Using any operating system, you can create images using Midjourney’s website or through Discord on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. However, you will need an internet connection to access it.
While Midjourney itself lacks built-in features for individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities, Discord offers some support, including screen reader compatibility, text-to-speech functionality, customizable appearance options, and more.
Additionally, the absence of a free plan and privacy restrictions for lower-cost tiers may pose financial barriers. And, while Midjourney supports multiple languages, the quality of non-English prompt interpretations can be inconsistent due to limited training data, which hinders usability for many.
Among AI image generators, Midjourney is often hailed as “unparalleled” for its ability to produce remarkably detailed, high-quality images. With a default resolution of 1024x1024 pixels and a maximum of 2048x2048 pixels, you can create sharp visuals perfect for even your most polished videos or business presentations.
However, outputs can be pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to:
While newer versions have improved hand and feet rendering and in-image text, you might still face a challenge. Relatedly, the quality of outputs is highly dependent on the clarity and specificity of your prompt, so you may need to experiment with different wordings, styles, and reference images to achieve ideal outcomes.
Use Short, Descriptive Phrases
Midjourney works best with simple, short phrases that include detailed language describing exactly what you want to see (e.g., instead of, “Create an image of a serene mountain landscape at sunrise, with a clear blue sky and a tranquil lake reflecting the colors,” say; “Sunrise over a peaceful mountain lake.”)
Put Quotes Around Desired In-Image Text
If you want your image to contain specific text, use double quotation marks (") around words or phrases in your prompts (Only applicable with version 6). For best results:
Try Different Prompts & Features
Experimentation is key. Play with various parameters and settings, test out different prompts, and don't hesitate to use prompt generators for inspiration.
Midjourney offers tiered subscription plans that accommodate various needs and budgets. Each plan is competitively priced, reflecting the features and quality provided at each level.
While the lack of a free plan and free trial does mean that you need to commit financially from the get-go, the Basic plan tends to be sufficient for casual users — especially because you can purchase additional GPUs à la carte. In other words, if you want to temporarily increase your usage, you don’t have to upgrade your plan.
You may benefit more from a higher-tier Pro or Enterprise plan; however, if you want to generate:
Ultimately, the ability to create high-quality, customized images at scale makes Midjourney a cost-efficient tool that streamlines your workflows at a significantly more affordable price than traditional image creation methods.
NOTE: Check out Midjourney’s subscription plans to see up-to-date pricing details.
Midjourney gives you tremendous creative freedom with its wealth of customization options (e.g., parameters, settings, generation speed, model versions, and prompt types) and an impressive ability to generate images in a wide range of artistic styles — from surrealism to gothic to futuristic.
Plus, the flexibility to set platform-wide preferences or temporarily apply settings to individual prompts without altering your defaults offers a healthy balance between consistency and creative experimentation.
You can also use Midjourney wherever suits you best: through its website, on its public Discord server, or by adding the Midjourney bot to your own private Discord server.
There are a few downsides, though. Some advanced features and faster speeds are reserved for paid subscribers and, while there’s many options for customizing your images, learning how to use them all effectively does take a bit of time and dedication. However, once you’ve mastered them, you have an incredible amount of control over images.
Personalization Parameter
By ranking pairs of images, Midjourney learns your tastes and assigns you a shortcode that represents these preferences. You can then use this parameter:
Tutorial: --P: Midjourney Model Personalization (for CUSTOM AI Art)
Prefer Commands
Automatically add your frequently used parameters to the end of your prompts using ‘prefer’ commands, including:
Unlike ‘Sticky Style’, which is specific to the ‘--style code’ parameter, ‘prefer suffix’ can include any combination of parameters, and you can use multiple in the same prompt.
Tutorial: Blazing Midjourney Speed with the Prefer Option Set Command
Midjourney’s measures to protect your data include:
However, while considered generally secure, there are quite a few concerns you should be aware of — including:
Image Visibility | Images are publicly visible by default on Discord and in Midjourney’s gallery, which may be a concern for sensitive projects. Additionally, others who know your Discord ID can access your images, even ones created on private servers. ‘Stealth Mode’ (available with higher-tier subscriptions) keeps your images from being seen publicly, but this doesn’t retroactively apply to images created before activating this mode. You must manually unpublish or delete those images. |
Ownership Rights | While you have commercial rights to your images, Midjourney retains ownership, meaning deleted images remain on Midjourney’s servers — even if you cancel your subscription. There doesn't seem to be a way to completely delete all your images. |
Data Exposure | Your data can be used to train future models and shared with third-party vendors to enhance Midjourney’s functionality. Combined with Midjourney’s image ownership, this raises concerns about indirect data exposure and how widely user-generated content might be distributed. There’s also a lack of clarity about how long personal data is retained, specific measures taken to delete data upon request, and encryption practices regarding Midjourney’s servers. |
The big takeaway is that you don’t have complete privacy or control over your generated content even with private Discord servers or Stealth mode. To help keep yourself as protected as possible, always be mindful of the data you share.
Copyright Violations: You are responsible for any copyright law violations, which can be tricky because sometimes Midjourney will reference intellectual property without the prompt containing any reference to it — meaning that you might inadvertently borrow other artists’ characters or work.
Scams: Midjourney’s popularity has come with a rise of fake Midjourney-replicating websites that put you at risk for malware attacks. To mitigate your risk, only access Midjourney directly through Discord or Midjourney’s official site.
You have three convenient ways to create images with Midjourney:
Public Discord server | Requires remembering the specific syntax of its command-based system but offers real-time, user-to-user support & resources |
Website Interface |
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Your Own Private Discord Server | Requires using its command syntax but makes it easier to organize your creations than the public Discord server |
What’s limiting its convenience? Midjourney:
While adjusting prompts using the Remix tool and refining images with various editing tools is relatively simple on both platforms, mastering advanced features and prompt engineering to get the results you desire does require some time and dedication.
Extensive resources from Midjourney and guidance from its active community help abate this, though. Once you’re more comfortable with it, we’d consider Midjourney fairly easy to use.
Midjourney’s clear community guidelines foster a safe and respectful "PG-13" environment, and violators are promptly removed from the platform. Additionally, Midjourney:
So, while Midjourney is certainly committed to ethical use, it does show weaknesses in some key areas — including:
Bias | Midjourney can produce biased content based on its training data like other AI systems. Despite efforts to address this, it sometimes generates stereotypical images that perpetuate harmful portrayals of certain areas or communities (although the latest report of this we could find is from 2023, so this issue may have been resolved). |
Data Training | The lack of transparency regarding Midjourney’s training data, combined with a concerning leaked document, raises questions about its potential use of copyrighted works without permission. This issue contributes to a broader AI debate about whether using such images constitutes art theft. |
Copyright | Midjourney can generate images in the style of specific artists, but it lacks a built-in mechanism to credit or acknowledge them. It can even mimic an artist without explicit references in the prompt — putting you at risk of legal issues if you unknowingly borrow another artist's work. |
Data Security & Privacy | While Midjourney transparently states how collected data is used and offers options for controlling it, it’s unclear how long data is stored and what measures are taken for deletion. Plus, unclear data encryption practices, sharing data with third-party vendors, and Midjourney retaining ownership of all images created on the platform (even deleted ones or if you cancel your subscription) raises concerns about indirect data exposure and how content is used. |
As long as you have internet access, you can use Midjourney on various devices and operating systems, either through its website, the public Discord server, or your private Discord server. But, while Midjourney technically works on smartphones, the mobile experience can be a bit clunky.
Regardless of where you create them, Midjourney images are generated in standard formats like PNG, making them easy to access, edit, and share across various platforms without format-related issues.
The downsides?
Synchronization between the Midjourney website and Discord may prove to be a hassle in a couple of ways:
Plus, Midjourney’s most significant limitation in terms of integration is that there’s no official public API, which means that you can't directly integrate its capabilities into your apps or workflows. Sigh.
Midjourney impressively produces highly detailed, vivid images typically within 60 seconds when using the standard Fast mode… and 4x faster than that in Turbo mode.
Rendering speed can vary slightly, though, for a few different reasons:
Frequent updates to the platform regularly equates to an increase in Midjourney’s overall performance and its ability to handle more users simultaneously. Recently, we’ve seen significant improvements in regard to speed — particularly for upscaling tasks.
Plus, creating multiple variations simultaneously using permutation prompting and the repeat parameter significantly reduces the time you take to get the images you want.
The Midjourney platform, combined with its active community of AI enthusiasts, provides a range of support options, including:
While Midjourney’s extensive documentation and vibrant, collaborative community provide a wealth of value, some people report variable quality regarding Midjourney's primary support channel. Since it's primarily bot-operated, it may not meet expectations if you seek more personalized assistance.
Each of the following AI tools offers unique strengths and potential drawbacks. It is crucial to assess your specific needs and priorities when deciding which one to use.
AI Tool | Pros | Cons | Consider It Over Midjourney If You... |
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Adobe Firefly |
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DALL·E 3 |
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Playground AI |
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FLUX.1 |
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Midjourney has a remarkable knack for transforming prompts into high-quality, vividly detailed images in a variety of styles, from fantastical landscapes and futuristic concepts to hyper-realistic portraits and reimagined classics.
While newcomers may encounter a steep learning curve, and it could benefit from a free tier, improved accessibility, enhanced data privacy, and a public API, its excellent performance, extensive options for creative control, and supportive community make it an excellent choice for both amateurs and professionals.
MidJourney has quickly become a go-to tool for a diverse crowd. Seasoned illustrators use it to experiment with new styles, game developers to craft concept art, marketers to create eye-catching content, and product developers to visualize prototypes. But casual users are also diving in — utilizing Midjourney images for personal projects, social media, or simply for fun.
Midjourney leverages advanced machine learning techniques to generate images, including:
This process is powered by robust Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), enabling the system to interpret and process each prompt quickly and precisely.
Midjourney’s early versions, V1 and V2, primarily produced simple, doodle-like images. As the models evolved, V3 introduced better handling of backgrounds and perspectives, and V4 brought a significant leap in quality — making the images more usable and refined. V5 and its subsequent iterations, like V5.1 and V5.2, enhanced image resolution and language comprehension, which allowed for more detailed and realistic outputs with fewer descriptive words. The latest version, V6, further improves image quality and prompt understanding, making generating high-quality, coherent images easier.
Additionally, Midjourney offers a specialized model called Niji, developed in collaboration with Spellbrush, which excels at creating anime-style images.
Midjourney is not open-source. While any image created on Midjourney is essentially in the public domain, allowing you to use, remix, or upscale others’ images without restriction, the software itself is not open for public modification or distribution. Midjourney is a self-funded project developed by a small team.
Additionally, while you can use your Midjourney-generated images for commercial purposes (with a paid subscription) or personal projects, you cannot claim copyright over these images since they are produced by AI — which currently does not meet the legal requirements for copyright protection.
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Did you find this content helpful?
5
Vivek V.
Very realistic images can be generated from fairly simple prompts. Would be even better if it was possible to use it on the web instead of only in Discord.
4
Jason K.
no more Free Trial for now
3
Austin L.
NOT TERRIBLE, BUT COULD BE IMPROVED
If you give it like a note sheet, it will give you flashcard terms, but otherwise, it will just give definitions, as of Late April 2023 it is FREE
5
Nitin S.
Midjourney has helped students like me to create artistic images from mere prompts. I use this tool for the quick generation of images for my college projects, and the customizations of colors and elements make it very unique to the eye and impress people during presentations.
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