Midjourney vs FLUX (Black Forest Labs)
Midjourney is a subscription image and video generator. FLUX from Black Forest Labs is pay-as-you-go via API, with open weights you can license and self-host.
| Midjourney ↗ | FLUX (Black Forest Labs) ↗ | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Subscription: Basic $10, Standard $30, Pro $60, Mega $120 per month | Pay as you go, no subscriptions or seat fees |
| Annual discount | 20% (e.g. Basic $96/year) | n/a |
| Example cost | Basic: 3.3 hr/month Fast GPU time | $0.048 per 768×768 image (calculator) |
| Unlimited mode | Relax mode: unlimited images on Standard and up | No |
| Video | Yes, SD on Basic, HD on Standard and up | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes, open-weights licensing (FLUX.2 [klein], [dev]) |
Which should you pick?
Pick Midjourney for heavy creative use with unlimited Relax images. Pick FLUX if you're a developer who wants per-image API pricing or to self-host.
FAQ
Does Midjourney have a free plan?
No. All plans are paid subscriptions, starting at $10/month.
How much does a FLUX image cost?
The official calculator shows $0.048 for one 768×768 image.
Can I self-host FLUX?
Yes, via Black Forest Labs' open-weights licenses.
Sources (official pages, checked 2026-10-15): Midjourney plans · Black Forest Labs pricing. Prices change often, so check the official page before buying.
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