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Microsoft Designer Image Creator vs Midjourney. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

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Microsoft Designer Image Creator

Best overall

Midjourney

For non-technical users who want a free, easy-to-use image generator that works in a browser, Microsoft Designer Image Creator is the clear winner. Midjourney produces more artistically stunning images but requires a paid subscription and a confusing Discord interface, making it better suited for serious creators willing to invest time and money.

Microsoft Designer Image Creator

Free Tier with 10 fast creations per hour; Boosts via Microsoft Rewards #15 of 3,826 Web

Midjourney

#163 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

Microsoft Designer Image CreatorMidjourneyPractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose Microsoft Designer Image Creator if

You need free images for social media posts, blog headers, or sticker designs
You want to generate images quickly without signing up for a paid subscription
You need text inside your images (e.g., a 'Happy Birthday' card) and want it to look clean
You're a casual user who just wants to experiment with AI image generation

Choose Midjourney if

You're a designer, artist, or content creator who needs professional-quality visuals for a project
You have a budget of at least $10/month and want commercial rights to your images
You're willing to spend time learning Discord commands or the web alpha interface
You need precise control over style, composition, and character consistency across multiple images

Key differences

Bing Image Creator is free; Midjourney requires a paid subscription starting at $10/month
Bing works in any web browser; Midjourney requires Discord or a web alpha account
Midjourney produces far more artistic and detailed images than Bing's DALL-E 3
Bing handles text-in-image better; Midjourney struggles with text rendering
Bing has aggressive safety filters; Midjourney is more permissive with content
Midjourney offers advanced features like style references and inpainting; Bing is simpler but limited

Facts side by side

	Microsoft Designer Image Creator	Midjourney
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

Microsoft Designer Image Creator: strengths & weaknesses

Completely free to use with 10 fast creations per hour and unlimited slow creations
Works directly in your web browser — no app install or Discord account needed
Excellent at rendering text inside images, great for social media graphics and stickers
Integrated with Microsoft Designer for easy editing, background removal, and templates
Aggressive safety filters block many innocent prompts (e.g., 'warrior' or 'blood')
No mobile app — you must use a browser on your phone, which is clunky
DALL-E 3 is being retired soon, creating uncertainty about future quality

Midjourney: strengths & weaknesses

Produces stunning, artistic, high-resolution images that often look like professional artwork
Advanced controls like style references, character references, and precise upscaling
Active community with constant feature updates and new model versions
Commercial use allowed on all paid plans
No free tier — you must pay a monthly subscription just to try it
Requires learning Discord commands or a confusing web alpha interface
No mobile app and no API for integration with other tools
Occasional queue times during peak hours slow you down

Common questions

Is Microsoft Designer Image Creator better than Midjourney for beginners?

Yes, absolutely. Bing Image Creator is free, works in your browser, and you can generate your first image in under a minute. Midjourney requires a paid subscription and learning Discord commands, which is overwhelming for most non-technical users.

Can I use Midjourney on my phone?

Not easily. Midjourney has no mobile app — you can use the Discord mobile app or the web alpha on a phone browser, but the experience is clunky and not designed for touch. Bing Image Creator also lacks a mobile app but works better in a mobile browser.

Which tool is better for making money with AI images?

Midjourney is better for professional work because of its superior image quality and commercial license on all plans. Bing Image Creator is free but its images are less polished, and the upcoming DALL-E 3 retirement creates uncertainty.

Is Bing Image Creator really free forever?

Yes, the free tier gives you 10 fast creations per hour (replenished every hour) and unlimited slow creations. You can also earn more 'Boosts' through Microsoft Rewards. There is no paid plan currently.

Does Midjourney have a free trial?

No, Midjourney does not offer a free trial or free tier. You must subscribe to a paid plan to generate any images. This is a major barrier for casual users.

Which tool is better for generating images with text in them?

Bing Image Creator (DALL-E 3) is significantly better at rendering text inside images. Midjourney often produces garbled or misspelled text, making it unreliable for signs, posters, or cards.

Bing Image Creator wins for everyday users with its free, browser-based simplicity; Midjourney wins for professionals who need stunning, controllable art and are willing to pay and learn.

If you're just starting out or need images for everyday use, start with Microsoft Designer Image Creator — it's free, easy, and works in your browser. If you're a serious creator with a budget and want jaw-dropping art, invest in Midjourney and be prepared to learn the ropes.

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Detail pages: Microsoft Designer Image Creator · Midjourney

Microsoft Designer Image Creator

Midjourney

Free plan

Mobile app

API access