Stable Diffusion
Open image generation models you can self-host or call through an API
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Pricing
Freemium
Free trial
Yes
API
Yes
Company
Stability AI LtdUnited Kingdom
Platforms
What is Stable Diffusion?
Stable Diffusion is Stability AI's family of text-to-image models, including the Stable Diffusion 3.5 suite (Large, Large Turbo, Medium, Flash) and SDXL. Developers can download the models and run them on their own hardware, or call them through the Stability AI Platform API.
API usage is billed in credits, where 1 credit costs $0.01. A single generation ranges from about 0.9 credits for SDXL 1.0 up to 6.5 credits for SD 3.5 Large, and new accounts start with 25 free credits.
To self-host, you need a license. The free Community License covers researchers, developers, small businesses and creators with under $1M in annual revenue. Organizations above that threshold need an Enterprise License, which has custom pricing and includes commercial use and implementation support. Stability AI also publishes audio, video and 3D models alongside Stable Diffusion.
Key features
- Text-to-image with the Stable Diffusion 3.5 suite
- SD 3.5 Flash and Turbo variants for faster, cheaper generation
- SDXL 1.0 available from 0.9 credits per image
- Platform API with credit-based billing
- Self-hosted deployment under a license
- Custom model training on the Enterprise plan
Use cases
Who it's for
Adding image generation to an app
Developers can call SD 3.5 or SDXL through the Platform API and pay per generation in credits.
Running models on your own hardware
Small teams under $1M in annual revenue can self-host the models for free under the Community License.
Enterprise deployment
Larger companies can get an Enterprise License with commercial rights, implementation support and optional custom training.
Stable Diffusion pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Oct 26, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Community License
Free
- For organizations under $1M annual revenue
- Includes SD 3.5 Suite and SDXL Turbo
- Self-hosted use
API credits
pay as you go
$0.01 per credit
- 25 free credits for new accounts
- SD 3.5 Large: 6.5 credits per image
- SD 3.5 Flash: 2.5 credits
- SDXL 1.0: from 0.9 credits
Enterprise License
Custom
- For businesses above $1M annual revenue
- Commercial use and implementation support
- Optional custom model training
How Stable Diffusion compares
- Stable Diffusion has a free plan, like 2 of the 4 alternatives below.
- It offers an API, which only 2 of the others do.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | — | — | ||||
| M | $8/mo | — | — | — | — | Stable Diffusion vs Midjourney |
A Adobe Firefly | — | — | — | Stable Diffusion vs Adobe Firefly | ||
M Magnific AI | — | — | — | — | Stable Diffusion vs Magnific AI | |
| M | $14.99/mo | — | Stable Diffusion vs Mistral |
The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Stable Diffusion data and privacy
Trains AI on your content
Yes, unless you opt out
“When we use your Inputs and Outputs to train our models, you can opt-out of our use of this personal data for these training purposes.”
Data retention
Kept as long as reasonably necessary, including while account is active
“Stability retains your personal data for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including for as long as your account is active”
Where data is stored
US
“including processing your personal data in our servers in the US”
Security and compliance
None stated
From Stable Diffusion's own privacy and security pages , checked Oct 28, 2026. We only show what the vendor states in writing; “not stated” means the pages don't say.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Free Community License for organizations under $1M annual revenue
- 25 free API credits for new accounts
- Choice of model sizes at different per-image costs
Limitations
- Organizations above $1M annual revenue need a custom-priced Enterprise License
- API is pay-per-credit, with no flat monthly plan listed
Stable Diffusion FAQ
How much does the Stable Diffusion API cost?
1 credit costs $0.01. SD 3.5 Large uses 6.5 credits per generation, Large Turbo 4, Medium 3.5, Flash 2.5, and SDXL 1.0 starts at 0.9.
Is there a free option?
Yes. New API accounts get 25 free credits, and the Community License for self-hosting is free for organizations under $1M in annual revenue.
When do I need an Enterprise License?
Once your organization's annual revenue reaches $1M USD, from any source. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Can I run Stable Diffusion myself?
Yes. Stability AI offers self-hosted licensing in addition to its Platform API.
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Stable Diffusion
Freemium
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