Leonardo AI
Leonardo.AI is an Australian AI-powered creative suite specializing in image, video, and 3D asset generation. Founded in Sydney (2022) by JJ Fiasson, Jachin Bhasme, and Peter Runham, the platform initially targeted game developers seeking affordable visual assets. It rapidly expanded into a multi-industry tool for marketing, architecture, and digital art. Key milestones include:
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Explosive User Growth: From 14,000 users (Feb 2023) to 30+ million by 2025, generating 700+ million images.
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Technical Innovations: Launched foundational models like Leonardo Phoenix (2024) and Realtime Canvas for AI-augmented painting.
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Corporate Milestone: Acquired by Canva in July 2024 for $320 million, integrating its AI tools into Canva’s 175M-user ecosystem.
The platform emphasizes user control through features like custom model training and structured workflows, distinguishing it from competitors like Midjourney and DALL-E.
Features and Functionality
Leonardo.AI combines generative AI with professional-grade editing tools:
Core Capabilities
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AI Image/Video Generation:
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100+ Fine-Tuned Models: Including Leonardo PhotoReal (hyper-realistic photos), Anime XL (anime art), and Kino XL (cinematic scenes).
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Video Tools: Animate static images and generate dynamic visuals.
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Advanced Control:
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Image Guidance: Upload reference images to control composition, depth, or poses via Depth-to-Image, Pose-to-Image, or Sketch-to-Image.
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Prompt Magic: Enhances prompt adherence for coherent outputs.
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3D & Design Tools:
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3D Texture Generation: Upload OBJ files to apply AI-generated textures.
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Transparent PNG/Thumbnail Maker: For marketing/game assets.
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Workflow Support
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AI Canvas: In-platform editor for erasing distractions, upscaling, or adjusting dimensions.
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Collaboration: Team projects with real-time editing and enterprise-tier privacy.
Pros & Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 🎨 Generous Free Plan: 150 daily credits (≈15 image batches). | 📉 Limited Free Credits: No rollover; heavy users need paid plans. |
| ⚡ Rapid Generation: 10–20 seconds/image, faster than competitors. | 🐞 Early-Stage Bugs: Occasional glitches in new features. |
| 🛠️ Custom Model Training: Create personalized AI models in minutes. | 🔒 Privacy Concerns: Free-plan images train public models; stealth mode is paywalled. |
| 🌐 Community & Support: 4.8/5 app rating (2.6K reviews); praised for responsive customer service. | ✍️ Prompt Inconsistency: Struggles with complex requests (e.g., text integration). |
| 💼 Commercial Rights: All plans include commercial usage. | 💸 Subscription Costs: Advanced editing (e.g., Alchemy Refiner) requires $10+/month plans. |
Overall Rating
4.6/5
Leonardo.AI excels with its versatility, user-friendly interface, and robust free tier, making it ideal for indie creators, marketers, and game studios. It loses points for occasional technical hiccups and privacy limitations. Compared to Midjourney, it offers broader asset types (3D/video) but less stylistic consistency.
Key Reviews with Links
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CNET (2025):
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Verdict: “Solid for detailed images but lacks wow factor. The free plan is a standout, though editing tools are paywalled.” Note superior prompt adherence vs. Google ImageFX.
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Trustpilot (4.8/5, 641 reviews):
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Highlights: Users praise “stellar customer service” (Mark G/Fin teams) but report billing disputes.
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10Web (2025):
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Verdict: “4.3/5 – Enhances creativity but has a learning curve. Best for collaborative workflows.”
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Apple App Store (4.8/5):
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Praise: “Brilliant UI!” – Imagineer2010.
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Critique: “Fails with professional “requests”—V4riance.
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