Leonardo AI review
Token-based AI creative platform for image, artwork, and video generation. The free tier gives 150 tokens per day — approximately 3-10 standard image generations daily. Paid plans provide significantly higher monthly token allocations with unlimited relaxed generation on Artisan and above.
Leonardo AI has evolved from image generation into a broader creative platform: fine-grained style control, custom model training (LoRA), AI video generation (Veo 3.1, Kling 2.5, Motion 2.0), and a Canvas editor for iterative editing. Commercial rights are included on all paid plans.
Multiple image generation models
Leonardo Phoenix, Kino, and Google Nano Banana model integration. Different models suit different aesthetic styles.
Custom LoRA model training
Train personal AI models on your own image sets for consistent character or brand visual identity. Apprentice and above.
AI video generation
Integrated access to Veo 3.1 (Google), Kling 2.5, and Motion 2.0 for text-to-video and image-to-video. Paid plans.
Canvas editor
Browser-based image editing with AI inpainting, outpainting, and composition tools.
Real-time generation
Low-latency image generation for rapid ideation. Available on all plans.
API access
Programmatic image generation API for developers. Artisan and above.
Token system note: Standard image ~30-40 tokens; Alchemy quality ~80-160 tokens; AI video clips 100+ tokens. Token budget depletes faster with higher quality settings and video. Artisan and Maestro include unlimited relaxed generation (slower speed) after fast tokens are exhausted, for images only.
Free
$0/mo
150 tokens/day (~3-10 standard images/day). Daily token refresh. Verify commercial rights.
- 150 fast tokens/day
- Daily token refresh
- Basic model access
- Canvas editor (limited)
Apprentice
$12/mo
8,500 tokens/month. Train 10 personal models. Commercial rights. Annual: $10/month.
- 8,500 tokens/month
- 10 personal AI models
- Enhanced quality + upscaling
- Private generation mode
- Commercial usage rights
- Annual: $10/month
Artisan
$30/mo
25,000 tokens/month + unlimited relaxed generation. API access. Annual: $24/month.
- 25,000 fast tokens/month
- Unlimited relaxed generation
- API access
- 20 personal AI models
- Video generation access
- Annual: $24/month
Maestro
$60/mo
60,000 tokens/month + unlimited relaxed image and video. Annual: $48/month.
- 60,000 fast tokens/month
- Unlimited relaxed image + video
- 50 personal AI models
- Priority processing
- Annual: $48/month
Teams
Custom
Shared token pool, enterprise security, priority support, custom contract.
- Shared team token pool
- Enterprise security
- Custom token allocation
- Priority support
Leonardo AI’s ethical profile is straightforward for image generation. Content filters prevent NSFW on all plans. Commercial rights clearly defined per plan. Training data provenance for Leonardo’s own models is not fully disclosed — standard but imperfect industry practice. No documented harm events specific to Leonardo AI.
A full Ethics Score review is in the Ethical AI Reviews queue.
QUESTIONS
Is Leonardo AI free?
Yes. 150 tokens per day with daily refresh — approximately 3-10 standard images. Ongoing free tier, not a trial. Paid plans start at $12/month for significantly higher monthly allocations.
How do tokens work?
Tokens are the currency for all platform actions. Standard image generation costs ~30-40 tokens. Higher quality, video generation, and advanced features cost more. Free: 150/day. Apprentice: 8,500/month. Artisan: 25,000/month + unlimited relaxed.
Can I use Leonardo AI for commercial work?
Yes on paid plans. Commercial rights are included with Apprentice ($12/month) and above. Free plan commercial rights should be verified at leonardo.ai before commercial use.
How does Leonardo AI compare to Midjourney?
Midjourney has no free tier and starts at $10/month. It is generally stronger for artistic, stylised images. Leonardo AI has a more generous free tier, better technical control, custom model training, and built-in video generation. Midjourney’s aesthetic output is preferred by fine artists; Leonardo AI’s toolset is broader for commercial and technical creative work.