Decision Support · Side-by-side

Microsoft Designer Image Creator vs InstantArt. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

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Microsoft Designer Image Creator

Best overall

InstantArt

For most everyday users, Microsoft Designer Image Creator (Bing) wins because it's free, easy to use, and handles text in images better than anything else. InstantArt offers more model variety and negative prompting for advanced users, but its unclear pricing and cluttered free tier make it a niche pick. The single biggest difference: Bing is a polished, zero-cost tool for quick, reliable results, while InstantArt gives you more control at the cost of simplicity and transparency.

Microsoft Designer Image Creator

Free Tier with 10 fast creations per hour; Boosts via Microsoft Rewards #15 of 3,826 Web

InstantArt

#2082 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

Microsoft Designer Image CreatorInstantArtPractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose Microsoft Designer Image Creator if

You need a free, no-fuss tool to generate images for social media posts or blog headers
You often need text inside images (e.g., motivational quotes, event flyers)
You're already using Windows or Office and want seamless integration
You want to generate images quickly without learning technical terms like 'CFG scale' or 'sampling steps'

Choose InstantArt if

You're an artist or designer who wants to try different AI models (anime, realistic, fantasy) in one place
You need to exclude specific things from your image (negative prompting) — e.g., 'no distorted faces'
You're okay with a slightly cluttered interface and occasional ads in exchange for more control
You want to generate product mockups or character designs with specific stylistic consistency

Key differences

Bing is completely free with fast creations; InstantArt's pricing is unclear and may require paid credits for heavy use
Bing uses DALL-E 3 (soon to be replaced); InstantArt uses multiple Stable Diffusion checkpoints
Bing has built-in editing tools (background removal, filters); InstantArt relies on external editors
Bing handles text in images much better than InstantArt
InstantArt offers negative prompting and model selection; Bing has no such controls
Bing requires a Microsoft account; InstantArt works with Google or email sign-in

Facts side by side

	Microsoft Designer Image Creator	InstantArt
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

Microsoft Designer Image Creator: strengths & weaknesses

Best-in-class prompt adherence with DALL-E 3 (and newer models coming)
Completely free for daily use with fast creations and Boosts
Excellent at rendering text inside images (logos, signs, posters)
Built-in editing tools (background removal, filters, overlays) without leaving the browser
Aggressive safety filters can block innocent prompts (e.g., 'warrior' or 'medical scene')
No mobile app — you must use a browser on your phone
No API for developers or advanced integrations
Limited control compared to InstantArt (no negative prompts, no model selection)

InstantArt: strengths & weaknesses

Access to 25+ Stable Diffusion checkpoints (Realistic Vision, SDXL, anime models)
Negative prompting lets you exclude unwanted elements (e.g., 'no blur, no watermark')
Generous free tier with daily credits — no subscription required to start
No need for a powerful computer; everything runs in the cloud
Pricing is not clearly published — you may hit a paywall or credit limit unexpectedly
Free tier has ads that clutter the interface
No mobile app and no official API
Server congestion during peak hours can slow generation

Common questions

Is Microsoft Designer Image Creator better than InstantArt for making social media graphics?

Yes, for most people. Bing is free, handles text in images perfectly, and has built-in editing tools. InstantArt gives you more style options but lacks text rendering quality and has unclear pricing.

Can I use these tools on my phone?

Bing Image Creator works in a mobile browser but has no dedicated app. InstantArt also works in a mobile browser. Neither has a native mobile app, so the experience is clunkier than using a desktop.

Which tool is better for realistic photos of people?

Bing (DALL-E 3) generally produces more photorealistic and coherent faces out of the box. InstantArt can match it if you pick the right Stable Diffusion checkpoint (e.g., Realistic Vision), but it requires more tweaking.

Do I need to pay for either tool?

Bing is free with daily fast creations (10 per hour) and Boosts via Microsoft Rewards. InstantArt has a free tier with daily credits, but its pricing beyond that is not clearly published — you may hit limits unexpectedly.

Which tool is easier for a beginner?

Bing Image Creator is much easier. You just type a prompt and click 'Create'. InstantArt requires you to select a model, set CFG scale, sampling steps, and negative prompts — it's more powerful but steeper to learn.

Bing Image Creator is the clear winner for everyday users: free, simple, and surprisingly capable — InstantArt only wins if you need model variety and don't mind the clutter.

If you just want to create nice images without hassle or cost, start with Microsoft Designer Image Creator — it's free, easy, and does the job well. If you're an artist or tinkerer who wants to dive into model selection and negative prompts, give InstantArt a try, but be ready for a less polished experience and unclear pricing.

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Detail pages: Microsoft Designer Image Creator · InstantArt

Microsoft Designer Image Creator

InstantArt

Free plan

Mobile app

API access