Black Forest Labs vs Leonardo AI: which one to choose in 2026?

Community ratings, features, pricing and free plans: the complete head-to-head between Black Forest Labs and Leonardo AI to find the right tool for your needs.

Screenshot of Black Forest Labs
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Black Forest Labs

4.7 (109)

Black Forest Labs is an AI research and development company specializing in advanced text-to-image generation. Their flagship product, FLUX, offers high-quality image synthesis with tools for inpainting, structural conditioning, and customization, catering to both developers and creative professionals.

Text to ImagePhoto & Image GeneratorImage EnhancerDesign GeneratorArt Generator
View detailsOfficial site
Screenshot of Leonardo AI
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Leonardo AI

4.5 (265)

Originally built for video game creators, Leonardo AI has grown into a comprehensive and generous image generation platform, acquired by Canva in 2024. Its many specialized models — including Lucid Origin, its flagship model — along with a real-time engine, advanced editing tools and video generation make it an accessible graphic studio, popular with hobbyists and professionals alike.

Text to ImageArt Generator
View detailsOfficial site

Comparison table

CriterionBlack Forest LabsLeonardo AI
Average rating4.74.5
Number of reviews109265
Free planNoYes
PlansFLUX.1 [dev], FLUX.1 [pro], FLUX1.1 [pro]Free, Essential, Premium
CategoriesText to Image, Photo & Image Generator, Image Enhancer, Design Generator, Art GeneratorText to Image, Art Generator
Last updatedMay 2, 2025July 8, 2026

See all tools in these categories: Text to Image, Art Generator

Our verdict

Black Forest Labs or Leonardo AI?

With an average rating of 4.7/5 (109 reviews), Black Forest Labs comes out ahead of Leonardo AI (4.5/5, 265 reviews) with our community.

Budget-wise, Leonardo AI offers a free plan to get started, while Black Forest Labs does not appear to offer one.

Black Forest Labs also covers Photo & Image Generator, Image Enhancer and Design Generator, ground that Leonardo AI does not directly address.

Features head to head

Black Forest Labs

  • FLUX.1 [pro]: High-resolution image generation with fast processing times.
  • FLUX.1 [dev]: Open-access model with guidance-distilled efficiency.
  • FLUX Fill: Advanced inpainting and outpainting capabilities.
  • FLUX Depth & Canny: Structural conditioning using depth maps and edge detection.
  • FLUX Redux: Image variation and restyling through prompt mixing.
  • FLUX Pro Finetuning API: Customize models with user-provided images for brand-specific content.

Leonardo AI

  • Specialized models for each graphic style
  • Lucid Origin, a flagship model designed for Full HD output
  • 150 free tokens renewed daily
  • Real-time generation as you draw
  • Editing Canvas with image extension and retouching
  • Smart upscaling up to large-format print quality
  • Video generation from text or images

Pricing compared

Black Forest Labs

FLUX.1 [dev]

  • Free under non-commercial license
  • Access to model weights and inference code
  • Suitable for research and personal projects

FLUX.1 [pro]

  • High-resolution image generation
  • Fast processing times
  • API access for integration
  • Pay-per-use pricing starting at $0.05 per image

FLUX1.1 [pro]

  • Enhanced image quality and prompt adherence
  • Ultra mode for 4MP outputs
  • Raw mode for natural aesthetics
  • API access with pricing starting at $0.06 per image

Leonardo AI

Free

  • 150 tokens renewed every day
  • Access to most models
  • Public creations

Essential

  • $12 per month
  • 8,500 monthly tokens
  • Private generations
  • Priority queues

Premium

  • $30 per month
  • 25,000 monthly tokens
  • Ideal for regular graphic production

Prices are indicative and may change — check the official sites for up-to-date pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Black Forest Labs and Leonardo AI?

Both tools share the Text to Image and Art Generator space, but Black Forest Labs also covers Photo & Image Generator, Image Enhancer and Design Generator.

Black Forest Labs or Leonardo AI: which one is rated higher?

Black Forest Labs earns the better average rating: 4.7/5 (109 reviews), versus 4.5/5 (265 reviews) for Leonardo AI.

Can you use Black Forest Labs or Leonardo AI for free?

Black Forest Labs does not offer a free plan as far as we know, and Leonardo AI offers a free plan.

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