Midjourney
AI Image Generator • AI Tools Compass
From ideas to images
Create imaginative artwork, explore visual styles, edit existing pictures and animate images with a creative AI platform.
What is Midjourney?
Midjourney is a generative AI platform used to produce images from text prompts and visual references. It is known for creative image workflows, from concept exploration and stylized illustrations to visual moodboards and design references. Users can create and organize images through the Midjourney website, and Discord remains an alternative interface.
As of our October 2026 check, V8.2 is Midjourney’s default image version. The company describes this release as an update to aesthetics, image quality and Personalization. Its Edit Model supports instruction-based editing and reference-driven generation, replacing earlier Character Reference and Omni Reference workflows within V8.x.
Key Midjourney features in 2026
Describe a scene, subject, medium, composition and lighting to generate new visual concepts.
Midjourney’s current default model, emphasizing creative aesthetics and updated personalization.
Edit existing images with instructions, combine up to four references, or change targeted areas.
Guide visual consistency across a series using references and saved aesthetic preferences.
Build taste profiles that inform the visual direction of generated images.
Animate still images into short videos, with optional motion controls and extensions.
Feature compatibility can depend on the selected model, interface and plan. See the official version guide for details.
Midjourney pricing and plans
Midjourney uses paid subscriptions. The figures below are the provider’s published monthly USD prices as checked on 24 October 2026. Taxes, exchange rates and plan details may vary.
| Plan | Monthly price | Fast GPU time | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10/month | 3.3 hours | Entry-level image and video access |
| Standard | $30/month | 15 hours | Unlimited image generations in Relax Mode |
| Pro | $60/month | 30 hours | Stealth Mode; Relax image and SD video generation |
| Mega | $120/month | 60 hours | Higher capacity with Stealth Mode |
Annual billing is also offered at discounted effective monthly rates, billed upfront. Midjourney may change plans or limits; check the official plan comparison before purchasing.
How to start using Midjourney
- Visit Midjourney. Open midjourney.com, sign in and choose a subscription.
- Open the Create page. Find the Imagine bar, where you can enter a description of the image you want.
- Write a focused prompt. Start with a subject, setting, composition and lighting, then adjust the aspect ratio or style settings if needed.
- Review the result. Open an image to try variations, explore references, or use the Edit Model for revisions.
- Export or animate. Download an image, or use Animate to create a short video from a chosen image. Video access and quality depend on plan.
Three Midjourney prompts to try
These are example prompts written for this guide, not examples from a performance test. Paste them into the Imagine bar and adjust the details.
misty mountain village at sunrise, winding cobblestone streets, warm lanterns, lush valleys, cinematic wide shot, soft volumetric light --ar 16:9minimalist luxury perfume bottle on pale limestone, delicate water reflections, editorial studio product photography, clean backdrop, soft diffused lighting --ar 4:5curious young astronomer in a rooftop observatory, whimsical illustrated storybook art, navy and gold palette, expressive pose, stars in the evening sky --ar 3:4Prompt parameters and available features can change by version. You can learn more in Midjourney’s Prompt Basics documentation.
Who should use Midjourney?
Explore styles and composition ideas for illustrations, artwork and personal projects.
Create campaign concepts, social visuals, creative directions and storyboards for review.
Generate environment, character and moodboard references during pre-production.
Prototype visuals before commissioning or producing final branded designs.
Pros, limitations and our verdict
Why consider it
- Strong range of creative controls and stylistic tools.
- Website workflow alongside Discord.
- Useful editing, reference and personalization features.
- Still-image animation tools built into the platform.
Know before subscribing
- No ongoing general free image-generation tier advertised in the current plan guide.
- Outputs still require review for details, accuracy and text.
- Private creation needs Pro or Mega Stealth Mode.
- Video generations use additional GPU time; features differ by plan.
Our takeaway: Midjourney is worth considering when visual style, image exploration and creative art direction are central to your work. If your main requirement is exact product typography, verifiable factual imagery or a free-first workflow, compare other options before subscribing. This is an editorial assessment based on documentation, not a controlled head-to-head benchmark.
Commercial use and privacy
Midjourney’s terms generally grant subscribers rights to their created assets to the extent permitted by law, subject to third-party rights and other exceptions. A business with over US$1 million in annual gross revenue must meet Midjourney’s Pro or Mega plan requirement for asset ownership under its terms. The contract does not guarantee that every AI-generated image qualifies for copyright protection in every country.
Midjourney is public-by-default. Stealth Mode is offered with Pro and Mega, and even Stealth creations shared in public Discord channels can be seen by others there. Review the current Terms of Service and Stealth Mode guide before using confidential client material.
Frequently asked questions
Is Midjourney free?
Its standard image-generation offering requires a subscription. The published plans begin at $10 per month, before taxes. Check the official website for any time-limited trials or promotions.
Do I need Discord to use it?
No. The Midjourney website supports image creation and editing. Discord remains an optional supported workflow.
What is the default Midjourney model in October 2026?
Midjourney’s official documentation identifies V8.2, released as the default on July 24, 2026.
Can Midjourney edit an existing image?
Yes. Its V8.x Edit Model supports instruction-based edits, reference images, inpainting and outpainting. Specific compatibility rules apply.
Can Midjourney make videos?
Yes. Its video feature can animate still images into short clips. Starting clips are five seconds and may be extended; plan limits and GPU costs apply.
Can I use outputs in commercial projects?
Midjourney’s terms grant broad use rights subject to conditions, including a higher-plan requirement for certain businesses. Copyright protection and rights involving third-party material depend on applicable law.
Official sources and verification
We reviewed the provider’s published documentation on . Recheck fast-changing details such as plan entitlements, model compatibility and content rules before relying on them.