What free alternatives with API are available for image generation after Google discontinues the free Gemini 2.0 Flash API? Since Google is ending support for the free Gemini 2.0 Flash API for image generation, and new image generation models are not available for free use, what free services with API can be used as alternatives?
Google is discontinuing support for the free Gemini 2.0 Flash API for image generation on October 31, 2025, but there are numerous free alternatives with APIs such as Stable Diffusion Online, ModelsLab, Leonardo.Ai, and other open-source models like FLUX.1 and Stable Diffusion 3 that can be used for image generation without paid subscriptions. These alternatives offer varying levels of quality, speed, and customization options, allowing developers to choose the most suitable option for their projects.
Table of Contents
- Why Google is discontinuing Gemini 2.0 Flash
- Best free API alternatives
- Open-source models for self-hosting
- Comparison of key features
- Recommendations for selection and migration
Why Google is discontinuing Gemini 2.0 Flash
Google officially announced the discontinuation of support for the gemini-2.0-flash-preview-image-generation and gemini-2.5-flash-preview models on October 31, 2025. This decision is related to the transition to more advanced models such as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (aka Nano Banana), which however, are not provided for free.
According to the Google Cloud documentation, the older image models will be removed, and users are recommended to transition to the new versions. This process began in September 2025 when some outdated endpoints were deprecated.
Important: Google continues to develop the Gemini family of models, but new image generation capabilities are becoming paid, forcing developers to seek alternative solutions.
Best free API alternatives
Stable Diffusion Online
Stable Diffusion Online offers a free API for image generation based on Stable Diffusion models. The platform provides a convenient interface for developers with detailed documentation and support for various styles and generation parameters.
ModelsLab
ModelsLab positions itself as a powerful alternative with free access to API. According to research, it is one of the best options among 49 available alternatives, offering high-quality images and good performance speed.
Leonardo.Ai
Leonardo.Ai is a platform created to support creators, teams, and developers in producing visual content. It offers a powerful API, the ability to deploy customized models, and access to one of the world’s largest AI art communities.
Openjourney
Openjourney is a free open-source model for text-to-image that creates AI art in Midjourney style. It uses a dataset of over 124,000 Midjourney v4 images and ranks second in downloads on HuggingFace after Stable Diffusion.
Open-source models for self-hosting
FLUX.1
FLUX.1 is considered one of the best open-source models for image generation in 2024-2025. As noted by experts from the r/LocalLLaMA community, FLUX.1 outperforms Midjourney in following prompts, while Stable Diffusion is better for realism.
Stable Diffusion 3
Stable Diffusion 3 represents the latest version of the popular model, offering improved generation quality and better interpretation of complex prompts. The model is available for self-hosting without the need for a subscription.
SDXL Lightning
SDXL Lightning is an optimized version of Stable Diffusion designed for fast image generation without significant quality loss. This model is particularly suitable for developers who prioritize request processing speed.
ControlNet
ControlNet adds the ability to precisely control image generation, allowing poses, composition, and other parameters to be specified using control maps. This makes it an ideal tool for professional use.
Comparison of key features
| Platform | Quality | Speed | Free tier | API access | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stable Diffusion Online | High | Medium | Yes | Yes | Multiple styles, good documentation |
| ModelsLab | Very high | Fast | Yes | Yes | Optimized models, high accuracy |
| Leonardo.Ai | High | Medium | Yes | Yes | Community, model customization |
| Openjourney | Medium-high | Medium | Yes | Yes | Midjourney style, free |
| FLUX.1 | Very high | Slow | Yes (self-hosted) | Yes | Best prompt following |
| Stable Diffusion 3 | High | Slow | Yes (self-hosted) | Yes | Improved prompt interpretation |
Recommendations for selection and migration
For quick transition
If you need to quickly replace the Gemini API, it’s recommended to start with Stable Diffusion Online or ModelsLab, as they offer ready-made APIs with minimal setup and good documentation.
For maximum control
If you’re willing to self-host, choose FLUX.1 or Stable Diffusion 3. These models give you full control over the generation process and have no request limitations.
For specific tasks
- For Midjourney-style images - Openjourney
- For realistic photographs - Stable Diffusion 3
- For fast generation - SDXL Lightning
- For precise control - ControlNet
Tip: When switching to a new model, it’s recommended to test it on the same prompts used with the Gemini API to understand the difference in quality and generation speed.
Sources
- Gemini 2.5 Flash Image - Google Developers Blog
- Gemini Models Documentation - Google AI for Developers
- Gemini 2.5 Flash - Vertex AI Documentation
- Stable Diffusion API Alternatives - TopAI Tools
- Top Free AI Image Generator Open Source - NearHub
- Best Open-Source AI Image Generation Models - Pinggy
- Openjourney - Eden AI
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the free Gemini 2.0 Flash API opens up opportunities to use more diverse and powerful image generation tools. The most promising free alternatives are Stable Diffusion Online, ModelsLab, and open-source models like FLUX.1. For developers willing to self-host, there are excellent options like Stable Diffusion 3 and ControlNet that offer full control and no limitations. When choosing an alternative, it’s recommended to consider the requirements for quality, speed, and specific image generation capabilities for your project.