Leonardo AI: Precision Control for AI Image Creation

Leonardo AI is an image creation platform that has rapidly gained popularity for its focus on customisation, output quality, and artistic control. Unlike generic tools, Leonardo AI positions itself as an advanced cockpit for visual asset generation, offering not just text-to-image conversion, but also robust editing tools, animation, and most importantly, the ability to train custom AI models.

This tool belongs to the AI image creation category, though it also offers basic animation solutions and advanced editing (AI Canvas).

The relevance for small and medium enterprises is enormous. Branding and advertising demand a unique, consistent visual identity. Leonardo AI empowers freelancers and small teams to generate visual assets that would otherwise require hours of designer work or generic stock imagery.

AgentAya Verdict

Leonardo AI is an exceptionally powerful platform that democratises concept art and image generation with high precision and control. Its strength isn’t just generation, but the depth of customisation options, making it ideal for consistent brand design.

Leonardo AI is best for: SMEs and freelancers with specific visual needs that demand a high degree of creative control or a particular brand aesthetic. It’s the ideal choice for content creators, indie game developers, and small agencies that need to rapidly test multiple visual concepts. Its token (credit) system and robust free plan make it very accessible for thorough testing before investing.

Limitations: The sheer number of available options and models (which is an advantage) can initially overwhelm novice users. Also, its focus is imagery, and while it offers Motion features, it’s not a complete AI video creation solution like other platforms.

For any SME that takes its visual identity seriously and needs fast, scalable, stylistically controlled image production, Leonardo AI is a premium tool that delivers professional results at a fraction of the cost of a design studio.

Score Breakdown

Category	Score	Description
Features and Functionality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5)	Leads in user control: custom models, AI Canvas, and multiple generation settings
Integrations	⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5)	API functionality exists, but direct integrations with popular SaaS are limited (third-party dependency)
Language and Support	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5)	Interface in English, but the prompt engine and help centre work very well with multiple languages
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5)	Clean interface, though the depth of options adds an initial learning curve
Value for Money	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)	Excellent value thanks to a generous free plan and very competitive paid plans for the quality offered

AgentAya Overall Score: 4.3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Key Features

Leonardo AI focuses on giving creators total control. These are its core functions:

• AI Image Generation: Converts text descriptions (prompts) into detailed, high-resolution images
• Trained AI Models (Community & Fine-Tuned): Access to a vast library of models pre-trained by the community or by Leonardo, specialised in specific styles (product photography, fantasy, concept art, etc.)
• Custom Model Training: Allows users to upload their own image sets (e.g., photos of their product or brand) to train a private AI model. This ensures maximum visual brand coherence.
• AI Canvas: An advanced editor that lets users paint over generated images or expand the canvas (outpainting), creating larger backgrounds or scenes interactively
• AI Upscaling: Tools to increase resolution and detail of generated images, making them suitable for print or high-definition use
• Motion Generation (Animation): Converts static generated images into short animated video clips (cinemagraph-style), ideal for social media posts

Custom Model Training is a game-changer. It allows SMEs to generate new images that look like they were photographed by their brand, without hiring a photographer or designer, translating to enormous cost reduction and stronger branding.

AI Features

Leonardo AI uses AI at every layer of its platform to maximise control and quality:

• Highly Controlled Generation: What’s truly “intelligent” is the precision of controls. It allows using Prompt Magic for better description interpretation, Negative Prompts (to indicate what you DON’T want), and weight adjustments for reference images.
• Specialised Models (Style Intelligence): Leonardo’s AI isn’t generic. Each model has been “trained” to be an expert in a style (e.g., “professional cinematic” or “children’s illustration”). This lets SMEs select a specialised AI for each marketing need.
• AI Canvas (Smart Editing): Smart editing allows manipulating images simply by painting a mask and describing what you want in that area. The AI “understands” image context to make coherent changes. This eliminates the need for complex software like Photoshop for retouching and composition tasks, saving small marketing teams considerable time.
• AI Video Generation (Motion): The Motion function uses advanced algorithms to inject movement into key image elements realistically from a text instruction, turning a static poster into a mini clip for ads.

Integrations

Leonardo AI’s model centres on being a final creation tool, with export and download as the primary workflow mechanism.

• Direct Integrations: No direct integrations exist with popular email marketing platforms or CRMs. The tool functions as a standalone visual generation platform.
• API Integrations: Leonardo AI offers a robust API. This is the main integration path for SMEs with technical knowledge or using automation platforms (middleware like Zapier or Make). This allows businesses to automate image generation in response to events in other applications (e.g., generating an image for a product listing when a new item is added to inventory).
• Regional Support: Direct integrations with locally popular tools aren’t a central platform feature.

Data Security and Compliance

As a generative AI platform, transparency and rights management are crucial.

• Data Ownership: A major advantage of Leonardo AI’s paid plans is that users retain all copyright over generated images. SMEs can use content for commercial purposes without additional restrictions, unlike some competitors.
• Policy on Customer Data for Training: If a user trains a Custom Model, that model and the images used are private and aren’t used to train Leonardo AI’s public models. This is a vital trust point for SMEs working with sensitive brand assets.
• Security Protocols: As industry standard, encryption protocols (HTTPS/TLS in transit and at rest for account data and private models) are assumed.
• Data Protection Regulations: While specific regional regulation compliance isn’t publicly detailed, international standard compliance is expected given its global reach.
• Certifications and Authentication: ISO 27001 certification isn’t publicly mentioned. Multi-factor authentication and access controls are managed through standard account settings, with team plans being the best option for access management.

Language – Customer Support

• Support Languages: Primary support is offered in English
• Availability in Other Languages: The help centre and direct support (via email or tickets) don’t guarantee assistance in languages other than English at all levels. This may be a limitation for SME owners who don’t command English and have complex technical issues.
• Support Channels: Support is through a ticket system and an active Discord community (primarily in English)

AI Language – The Tool Itself

• Interface Languages: Leonardo AI’s main user interface is in English
• Prompt Processing: The AI engine is fully functional with multiple languages. Users can enter their image descriptions naturally in their preferred language and get high-quality results.
• Localisation Relevance: While the English interface requires a small initial effort for non-English speakers, the ability to process prompts in multiple languages is the most relevant factor, enabling visual creation without language barriers.

Mobile Access (iOS, Android, Others)

• Dedicated Mobile Apps: Yes, Leonardo AI has launched or is actively developing dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android, improving the generation experience on portable devices
• Mobile Usability: The web experience is fully usable in mobile browsers, though the complex AI Canvas interface (advanced editing) may be more comfortable on a desktop screen. Mobile apps aim to offer a simplified experience for quick generation and gallery viewing.
• Limitations: Model training functions or more detailed editing are better performed on the desktop version

Support, Onboarding, and Account Management

• Training Materials and Onboarding: The platform has extensive tutorials and detailed documentation. Additionally, it has an active online community (Discord) where users share prompts and tips.
• Suitability for SMEs with Little Technical Experience: While the interface is clean, the multitude of models and settings (image weights, seeds, etc.) can extend the learning curve for users without prior generative AI experience.
• Account Management: Paid plans offer team account management with shared token allocations. Dedicated customer success service is reserved for higher-tier enterprise plans.

Ease of Use / UX

• Interface Quality: The UX is professional and designed for power. The visible community gallery helps new users see which models and prompts work best.
• Learning Curve: Medium. It’s easy to start generating images with a simple prompt, but mastering advanced settings (like model selection or AI Canvas use) requires practice.
• Value Generation: An SME can generate a photorealistic image concept in minutes, but getting the perfect image with a specific brand style will require several attempts and fine adjustments, increasing time investment.

Pricing and Plans

Leonardo AI’s pricing structure is based on a credit or token system, where each advanced generation action consumes a specific amount of tokens.

• Free Tier (Freemium): Leonardo AI offers a very generous free plan providing a daily number of tokens (often 150) that recharge every 24 hours. This lets any freelancer try the tool and produce limited content at no cost.
• Subscription Plans: Multiple paid subscription tiers exist (monthly and annual), with names like Apprentice, Artisan, Maestro, or team plans.
• Features Included: Paid plans drastically increase monthly token allocation (e.g., 17,000 tokens or more), remove watermarks, give priority access to faster generation, and most crucially, allow custom model training.
• Value for SMEs: The mid-tier plan (Artisan or equivalent) is the sweet spot for SMEs, providing enough tokens for significant marketing work volume and unlocking model training features essential for brand coherence.
• Flexibility: Paid plans allow purchasing additional token add-ons and offer monthly/annual subscription options, with the latter being more economical long-term.

Case Study

David, owner of an online store selling artisan and organic products, needed high-quality images for his Facebook ads but didn’t have the budget for professional photo shoots. Stock photos didn’t capture the authenticity and “artisan vibe” of his products.

The Leonardo AI Solution:

David used a Leonardo AI paid plan to train a custom model. He uploaded ten photos of his physical store and several products with specific lighting and texture. Once trained, the model could generate images of non-existent products, like “artisan avocado soaps in a wicker basket, warm photography style,” that maintained his brand’s visual aesthetic.

Result:

David generated hundreds of ad visual variations in weeks, with a unified, professional look. His ads, with unique AI-generated images, achieved a 40% higher click-through rate (CTR) than those using generic stock photos, significantly boosting online sales.

Tool vs Alternatives

Leonardo AI focuses on deep creative control, clearly differentiating itself from simpler generators or traditional stock banks.

Tool	Advantages vs Leonardo AI	Disadvantages vs Leonardo AI
Freepik AI	Includes a vast stock image, vector, and template bank with subscription; Interface fully localised in multiple languages; Emerging AI video creation features	Less control and options for advanced prompting; Doesn’t allow custom model training for brand coherence; Slightly lower generated image quality
Midjourney	Artistic and photorealistic quality of generated images is considered market-best; More concept art models and styles	Lacks a traditional SaaS interface (works primarily in Discord); Doesn’t allow training custom brand models; Doesn’t offer a generous free plan like Leonardo AI
Fotor	Much lower learning curve; Excellent for quick editing, collages, and image retouching; May be more accessible in cost for very basic graphic design tasks	Offers significantly less control over AI generation; Doesn’t have advanced AI Canvas function for canvas expansion and smart editing; Has no API for automation
Microsoft Designer	Seamless integration with Microsoft productivity ecosystem (Office, Copilot, etc.); Ideal for users with workflows already in these tools	AI generation tools are less powerful and detailed; Creative control is very limited compared to Leonardo AI settings; Not focused on custom model training

FAQs

Is Leonardo AI good for SMEs that want brand consistency?

Yes, it’s excellent. Thanks to its Custom Model Training feature, Leonardo AI allows SMEs to generate images with a coherent, unique visual style, which is fundamental for branding and digital marketing.

What differentiates Leonardo AI from alternatives like Midjourney or Freepik?

Leonardo AI stands out for control and customisation. It offers a complete web platform with multiple pre-trained models and the ability to create your own, something Midjourney doesn’t offer and that Freepik complements with its stock bank.

How does the credit or token system work in Leonardo AI plans?

Leonardo AI plans grant a monthly token (credit) amount. Each image generation or use of an advanced function (like AI Canvas or upscaler) consumes tokens. Daily tokens on the free plan recharge every 24 hours.

Does Leonardo AI support prompt generation in multiple languages?

Yes. Although the main interface is in English, Leonardo AI’s AI engine perfectly understands prompts and instructions written in multiple languages, offering precise results.