Top 10 Local AI Image Generators Compared
1. LocalForge AI
Users who want zero-setup offline AI. buy once, run forever
A pre-configured, one-click offline AI package that bundles Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge, optimized settings, starter models, and extensions into a single installer. Designed for users who want local AI image generation without any manual setup.
Pricing $50 one-time
Platform Windows (Mac/Linux planned)
Min VRAM 8 GB+
Pros - ✓ One-click install, no terminal needed
- ✓ Pre-configured with optimized settings and models
- ✓ 100% offline after install. no phone-home
- ✓ Includes Adetailer and Deforum extensions
- ✓ One-time purchase, no subscription
Cons - ✗ Windows only (currently)
- ✗ Bundles a specific UI. less flexibility than building from scratch
2. Stable Diffusion WebUI (AUTOMATIC1111)
Most users who want a mature, feature-rich local setup
The most widely used open-source interface for running Stable Diffusion locally. Feature-rich with a massive extension ecosystem, active community, and broad model support.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM 4 GB+ (8 GB recommended)
Pros - ✓ Huge extension library
- ✓ Massive community and documentation
- ✓ Supports SD 1.5, SDXL, and many fine-tunes
- ✓ Highly customizable
Cons - ✗ Manual installation required (Python, Git)
- ✗ Can be overwhelming for beginners
- ✗ Slower development compared to newer alternatives
3. Stable Diffusion WebUI Forge
Users who want AUTOMATIC1111 features with better performance
A performance-optimized fork of AUTOMATIC1111's WebUI by the creator of ControlNet. Offers significant speed and memory improvements while maintaining full compatibility with existing extensions.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM 4 GB+ (6 GB recommended)
Pros - ✓ 30-45% faster than AUTOMATIC1111 on same hardware
- ✓ Lower VRAM usage
- ✓ Compatible with AUTOMATIC1111 extensions
- ✓ Better support for newer models like Flux
Cons - ✗ Manual installation
- ✗ Smaller community than AUTOMATIC1111
- ✗ Some extensions may have compatibility issues
4. ComfyUI
Power users who want maximum control and complex workflows
A powerful node-based interface for Stable Diffusion. Offers maximum control over generation workflows with a visual graph editor. The go-to tool for advanced users and complex pipelines.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM 4 GB+ (8 GB recommended)
Pros - ✓ Node-based workflow for total control
- ✓ Excellent performance and memory efficiency
- ✓ Supports latest models (Flux, SD3, SDXL)
- ✓ Workflow sharing and reuse
Cons - ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ Not intuitive for beginners
- ✗ Manual setup required
5. Fooocus
Beginners who want Midjourney-like ease with local privacy
A lightweight, beginner-friendly local image generator inspired by Midjourney's simplicity. Minimal UI, automatic settings, and beautiful default outputs with almost no configuration needed.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM 4 GB+ (8 GB recommended)
Pros - ✓ Extremely easy to use
- ✓ Beautiful defaults out of the box
- ✓ Lightweight and fast
- ✓ Inspired by Midjourney workflow
Cons - ✗ Fewer features than AUTOMATIC1111 or ComfyUI
- ✗ Less extensible
- ✗ Fewer models supported natively
6. DiffusionBee
Mac users who want the simplest possible setup
The easiest way to run Stable Diffusion on macOS, especially on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4). One-click installer with a native Mac app experience.
Pricing Free
Platform macOS (Apple Silicon)
Min VRAM Unified memory (16 GB+ recommended)
Pros - ✓ One-click Mac installer
- ✓ Native macOS app experience
- ✓ Optimized for Apple Silicon
- ✓ No terminal or Python needed
Cons - ✗ macOS only
- ✗ Fewer features than WebUI alternatives
- ✗ Limited model support compared to others
- ✗ Slower updates
7. InvokeAI
Artists who need advanced canvas and inpainting tools
A professional-grade creative tool built on Stable Diffusion. Features a unified canvas for inpainting, outpainting, and image manipulation. Designed for artists and creative professionals.
Pricing Free (open source), Pro plans available
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM 8 GB+
Pros - ✓ Unified canvas for inpainting/outpainting
- ✓ Professional artist-focused UI
- ✓ Good model management
- ✓ Active development
Cons - ✗ Heavier resource usage
- ✗ Smaller extension ecosystem
- ✗ More complex than Fooocus
8. Stability Matrix
Users who want to try multiple UIs without manual setup
A hub tool that lets you install and manage multiple AI interfaces (AUTOMATIC1111, ComfyUI, Fooocus, etc.) with one-click installers. Think of it as a package manager for local AI tools.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Mac, Linux
Min VRAM Depends on chosen UI
Pros - ✓ One-click install of multiple UIs
- ✓ Manages Python environments automatically
- ✓ Model browser and downloader built in
- ✓ Great for testing different interfaces
Cons - ✗ Adds a management layer
- ✗ Slightly more disk space
- ✗ You still need to learn the underlying UIs
9. SwarmUI
Users who want ComfyUI power with a simpler interface
A modern, user-friendly frontend that works with ComfyUI as a backend. Provides an intuitive interface for ComfyUI's power without the node-based complexity.
Pricing Free, open source
Platform Windows, Linux
Min VRAM 8 GB+
Pros - ✓ Simplifies ComfyUI workflows
- ✓ Modern, clean interface
- ✓ Good parameter management
- ✓ Built-in model browser
Cons - ✗ Newer project, smaller community
- ✗ Depends on ComfyUI backend
- ✗ Fewer tutorials available
10. Draw Things
Apple ecosystem users who want mobile + desktop AI generation
A native iOS and macOS app for AI image generation. Runs entirely on-device using Apple's Core ML and Metal frameworks. Supports Stable Diffusion, SDXL, and other models.
Pricing Free
Platform iOS, macOS
Min VRAM Unified memory (8 GB+)
Pros - ✓ Native Apple app (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
- ✓ Optimized for Apple Silicon and Neural Engine
- ✓ Completely offline
- ✓ Supports multiple model formats
Cons - ✗ Apple ecosystem only
- ✗ Fewer features than desktop-focused tools
- ✗ Model conversion sometimes needed