There are dozens of AI image generators today, and every single one claims to be the most realistic, the fastest, or the most creative.
So instead of believing the marketing, we ran a simple test.
We gave five popular AI image generators exactly the same prompt. No extra instructions, no retries, no editing. One prompt. One image. That’s it.
The prompt was: A realistic photo of a woman in her early 30s sitting in a cozy café by the window on a rainy afternoon, working on a laptop while holding a cup of coffee. Soft natural light, shallow depth of field, warm atmosphere, highly detailed skin, realistic reflections on the window, 50mm photography.
Sounds easy, right?
Apparently… not for everyone.
ChatGPT – The Safe Bet
ChatGPT delivered what many people probably expect from an AI image generator: a photograph that genuinely looks like it could have been taken by a real camera.
The skin texture feels natural, the lighting is convincing, and nothing immediately screams “AI.” While it isn’t overflowing with tiny details, that actually works in its favour. Real photographs aren’t always hyper-detailed.
If someone showed us this image without context, we’d probably assume it came from a lifestyle photoshoot rather than an AI prompt.
What we liked: The most realistic skin texture and overall photographic feel.
Gemini — Surprisingly Human
Gemini surprised us in a different way.
Instead of generating the stereotypical impossibly perfect twenty-something influencer, it created someone who feels… real. There’s warmth in the expression, personality in the face, and the whole image feels relaxed and believable.
Well… apart from the laptop apparently evolving into a dual-screen setup halfway through generation.
Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.
Still, it’s an image we’d happily use.
What we liked: A believable subject with genuine warmth and personality.
Ideogram — The Unexpected Creative
Ideogram probably gave us the biggest surprise.
Instead of placing the woman in the usual café pose, it generated a much more unconventional composition. We genuinely appreciated that creative decision.
That said… sitting cross-legged on a café chair while balancing a laptop doesn’t exactly look comfortable.
The colours are excellent, the lighting is soft, and the image has a polished stock-photo quality. If Shutterstock ever launches an AI-only category, this would fit right in.
What we liked: Creative composition and beautiful colour grading.
Leonardo.AI — Gorgeous… Maybe Too Gorgeous
Leonardo.AI clearly knows how to create an attractive subject.
The woman looks stunning, the lighting is flattering, and the overall image immediately catches your eye.
The problem is that it also looks the least believable.
The requested window reflections are almost missing, the café feels more like a movie set than a real location, and the whole image has that polished AI perfection that’s becoming increasingly easy to spot.
Beautiful? Absolutely.
Convincing? Not quite.
What we liked: Fantastic subject and warm colour palette.
Recraft — Thinking Outside the Window
Recraft continues to surprise us.
Instead of simply recreating the prompt, it changed the entire perspective by placing us outside the café, looking in through the rain-covered window.
That’s a genuinely interesting creative decision.
The subject looks realistic, the mood is cinematic, and the composition feels like a scene from an independent film rather than a stock photo. It’s probably the generator that interpreted the prompt most creatively—even if it wasn’t the most accurate.
Sometimes following the prompt isn’t everything.
Sometimes creativity deserves bonus points.
What we liked: The most original interpretation of the prompt and a beautifully cinematic composition.
There wasn’t a clear loser—only different personalities.
ChatGPT behaved like a professional photographer.
Gemini felt like someone who actually exists.
Ideogram tried to be creative.
Leonardo.AI wanted to impress Instagram.
Recraft decided to direct a movie instead.
And honestly… that’s exactly why comparing AI image generators is becoming so much fun.
