---
title: "ImageQuarry vs Leonardo AI: Conversation or Creator Toolkit"
url: https://www.imagequarry.com/compare/imagequarry-vs-leonardo-ai/
last_updated: 2026-10-20
---

# ImageQuarry vs Leonardo AI: how the two image tools differ

Leonardo AI is a creator platform with a long model list, a realtime canvas, upscalers, background removal, custom model training, mobile apps and a separate API, plus a free tier where creations are public. Its pages describe editing that preserves characters and composition, but the pages we read do not describe editing by describing a change. ImageQuarry is built around that: select a version, ask for the change in words, and keep every version. Choose Leonardo for breadth and apps; choose ImageQuarry for a conversation that keeps refining one image.

_We make ImageQuarry. We compared it with Leonardo AI using Leonardo AI's own public pages, checked October 20, 2026, and say where Leonardo AI does more._

## At a glance

| | ImageQuarry | Leonardo AI |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | A conversation per image: describe, then request changes | A creator toolkit: generation, editing, upscaling, training and video |
| Editing | Ask for a specific change in words; each change is a new version | "Edit with precision" while preserving characters, composition and style |
| References | One or more reference images per request | Up to 6 image guidance references on paid plans; train a model on 10 to 20 images |
| Platforms | The ImageQuarry app | Web, iOS, Android, API and an MCP server |
| Entry price | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month | Free $0 with 150 fast tokens a day; Essential $12 a month |

## ImageQuarry and Leonardo AI: the differences that matter

- **Requests in words or tools on a canvas**: Leonardo AI presents editing as precise adjustments that keep characters, composition and style, with tools such as a realtime canvas and upscalers. ImageQuarry treats each edit as a sentence: different lighting, a new background, an added object, and the result arrives as a new version.
- **Training your own model**: Leonardo AI lets you train or fine-tune your own model from about 10 to 20 images, and its paid plans include personal AI models. ImageQuarry guides results with reference images rather than a trained model.
- **Mobile apps and an API**: Leonardo AI has iOS and Android apps, a REST API and an MCP server. ImageQuarry is used in the ImageQuarry app.
- **Keeping the path of an image**: Leonardo AI lists personal collections, unlimited on paid plans. ImageQuarry keeps each version with the prompt, references and conversation that produced it, and you can branch from any earlier version.
- **Free tier and ownership**: Leonardo AI has a free tier where creations are public and Leonardo holds rights to use them, while paid subscribers keep full ownership, as of October 2026. ImageQuarry plans are paid and its rights terms are not published yet.

## ImageQuarry vs Leonardo AI, side by side

| Topic | ImageQuarry | Leonardo AI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Describe the image in plain language, or upload an image and describe how you want it changed | Prompts, custom models, or an uploaded init image (API) |
| Editing with words | Select a version and ask for a change in words: lighting, background, an added object, composition or color | "Edit with precision" while preserving characters, composition, style and intent |
| Reference images | Add one or more source and reference images to guide material, color, light or shape | Image guidance up to 6 references on paid plans; Elements; model training from 10 to 20 images |
| Versions, variations and branching | Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept; make variations and branch from any version | Not stated on the pages read |
| Projects and library | Projects and a persistent library that keep prompts, references and versions together | Personal collections (1 on Free, unlimited on paid); Blueprints; Flow State |
| Image models | Nano Banana 2.1 (default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | FLUX.2 Pro, GPT Image 2.5, Ideogram 4.5, Lucid Origin, Nano Banana Pro, Phoenix, Seedream 5.0 Pro and others |
| Output resolution and formats | Not published | Pro upscalers; maximum resolution not stated |
| Commercial use terms | Not published | Paid: full ownership; Free: Leonardo holds rights, with a royalty-free licence to you |
| Price | Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month; Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month; optional metered overage, off unless you turn it on; every plan is paid | Free $0; Essential $12, Premium $30, Ultimate $60 a month billed monthly |

As of 2026-10-20.

## Pricing

ImageQuarry plans come from its pricing. Leonardo AI prices are as of October 2026, from leonardo.ai. Credits are not comparable across products, because each vendor defines its own credit. Check the vendor for current pricing.

- Starter: Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month
- Pro: Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month

- Leonardo AI Free: $0 per month (150 fast tokens a day, public creations)
- Leonardo AI Essential: $12 per month, billed monthly (8,500 fast tokens a month)
- Leonardo AI Premium: $30 per month, billed monthly (25,000 fast tokens a month)
- Leonardo AI Ultimate: $60 per month, billed monthly (60,000 fast tokens a month)
- Leonardo AI Essential, Premium, Ultimate (yearly): $10, $24, $48 per month, billed yearly (Up to 20% off)

Prices as of 2026-10.

## About each product

- **ImageQuarry**: ImageQuarry is a conversational AI image workspace. You describe an image or upload one, then ask for specific changes in words, such as new lighting, a different background or an added object. Each change makes a new version and earlier versions are kept, so you can make variations, branch from any version, add reference images and organize the work in projects and a library. You can choose between four image models: Nano Banana 2.1 (the default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Plans: Starter at $9 per month with 100 image credits a month, and Pro at $29 per month with 300 image credits a month, with optional metered overage that is off unless you turn it on. Every plan is paid. ImageQuarry has not published output specifications or rights terms yet, and it is not a headshot or background removal tool.
- **Leonardo AI**: Leonardo AI calls itself a creator-first generative AI platform for images, art and video. Its documentation lists models from several makers along with its own Lucid and Phoenix models, and its tools include a realtime canvas, upscalers, background removal, Elements and custom model training. It runs on the web, iOS and Android, with a separate pay as you go API. A free tier gives 150 fast tokens a day with public creations, and paid plans run from Essential at $12 a month to Ultimate at $60 a month, with team plans as well. Leonardo's site blocked our direct requests, so these facts come partly from a dated Wayback capture and its live documentation.

## Which one fits your work

**Choose ImageQuarry when:**
- You want to edit by describing the change and see it as a new version
- You want earlier versions kept and branches you can return to
- You want a focused workspace for still images

**Choose Leonardo AI when:**
- You want to train a model on your own images
- You need iOS or Android apps, or an API
- You want a free tier to start, and accept that free creations are public
- You also make video

## How to try both on the same image

1. Take a brief you already have, such as a hero image for a landing page
2. In Leonardo AI, generate it with a model and adjust it with its editing tools
3. In ImageQuarry, describe the image, then ask for the lighting and background changes in words and compare the versions
4. Note which approach got you closer with fewer steps

## Questions about ImageQuarry vs Leonardo AI

### Can Leonardo AI edit an image when I describe the change?

Leonardo's pages describe editing that preserves characters, composition and style, and tools like a realtime canvas. The pages we read did not describe editing by describing a change in words.

### Is Leonardo AI free?

Leonardo lists a free plan with 150 fast tokens a day, where creations are public. Paid plans start at $12 a month on monthly billing, as of October 2026.

### Where do I use Leonardo AI and ImageQuarry?

Leonardo AI runs on the web, iOS and Android, with a separate API. ImageQuarry is used in the ImageQuarry app, where you create an account, choose a plan and start creating.

### Who owns the images?

Leonardo says paid subscribers keep full ownership, while on the free tier Leonardo holds rights to use the images. ImageQuarry has not published rights terms yet.

### How many models can I choose in ImageQuarry?

Four: Nano Banana 2.1 (the default), Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 Flare and GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst.

## Sources

Checked 2026-10-20.

- [Leonardo AI page (Wayback capture)](https://web.archive.org/web/20261011200646/https://leonardo.ai/)
- [Leonardo AI homepage](https://docs.leonardo.ai/)
- [Leonardo AI page (Wayback capture)](https://web.archive.org/web/20261003232705/https://www.leonardo.ai/pricing?plan=team)
- [Leonardo AI pricing and plans faq.md](https://docs.leonardo.ai/docs/pricing-and-plans-faq.md)

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## Say the change, keep the version

Describe an image, ask for the next change in words, and keep every earlier version in your project.