What it does
Stability's open image models (SD 3.5, SDXL) run locally or via API, with ControlNet, LoRA fine-tunes, inpainting, and full pipeline control in ComfyUI or Automatic1111.
Best for
Technical creators and studios needing custom styles, private data, and zero per-image cost.
+ What Works
- +Free to run on your own GPU
- +Enormous LoRA/ControlNet ecosystem
- +No content filter lock-in
- +Commercially licensable
− What Doesn't
- −Real setup and hardware required
- −Base quality below closed models
- −Fragmented tooling
Pricing
Open weights free · Stability API credits from ~$0.01–0.07 per image · Stability commercial licence for >$1M revenue
The Verdict
The power user's choice: highest ceiling, steepest climb.
How we tested
Every tool in the Image Generators vertical is run through the same prompt battery — twenty briefs spanning technical accuracy, aesthetic control, and edge-case handling. Scores weight output quality (50%), ease of use (25%), and value (25%).
Read the full methodology →