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Test scope & comparison notes
These are recorded facts, not a unified ranking. Tested tiers and scope are not consistently recorded. Read pricing with its date and timing with its conditions. Privacy observations reflect visible flows and statements, not a security audit.
Cross-task capability coverage across selected products
Each product is scored independently per task edge; switch tasks below while keeping shared products selected| Task edge | Ideogram | media.io | Switch / compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background removal | Not tested in topic | 62/100 2000 × 2000 · PNG | Compare in task topic → |
| Image upscaling | Not tested in topic | 78/100 1024 × 1024 · PNG | Compare in task topic → |
| Object removal | Not tested in topic | 71/100 JPEG · Output attached | Compare in task topic → |
| Image generation | 88/100 2048×2048 (2K Original size unwatermarked JPEG, 785.6KB, 400% pixel retention) · Historical description; output not attached | 75/100 JPEG · Output attached | Active task |
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Browse this task →| Criterion | Ideogram AI (Ideogram 4.0) Image generation 88/100 Seven-aspect task score Good text and 2K output come with four candidates per request; free credits depend on sign-in method, exclude email-only signup, and this run took about 34 seconds. Tested export 2048×2048 (2K Original size unwatermarked JPEG, 785.6KB, 400% pixel retention) · Historical description; output not attached Historical test · 2026-10-16 | Wondershare Media.io AI Image Generator Image generation 75/100 Seven-aspect task score Signed-in free Wondershare accounts run Nano Banana 2 Lite (1K, 1:1, 2 credits) in 15.2s server wait with accurate sign lettering and 5-digit hands, but free export is a corner-watermarked JPEG (unwatermarked requires VIP). Tested export JPEG · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-21 |
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| Pricing & rules | ||
| Pricing plans | Ideogram official plans (Free / Plus / Pro / Team / Enterprise); USD (before tax) · 2026-10-21 Plan · source date Monthly / one-time Annual bill / period Quota & limits Free (OAuth sign-in)2026-10-21 ↗ Free Free Free 30 credits/week when signing in with Google, Apple, or Microsoft (email/password accounts receive no free credits; public generations). Plus Monthly2026-10-21 ↗ USD 20/month — Monthly 2,400 priority credits/month (do not roll over) + unlimited slower queue on Ideogram models + private generation and quality export. Plus Yearly2026-10-21 ↗ — USD 180/year Annual Billed annually at USD 180/year (USD 15/month equivalent); 2,400 priority credits issued monthly + unlimited slower queue + private generation. Pro Monthly2026-10-21 ↗ USD 60/month — Monthly 7,500 priority credits/month (do not roll over) + unlimited slower queue + Batch Generation, larger queue, and private generation. Pro Yearly2026-10-21 ↗ — USD 504/year Annual Billed annually at USD 504/year (USD 42/month equivalent); 7,500 priority credits issued monthly + unlimited slower queue + Batch Generation and private generation. Team Monthly (per user, min 2)2026-10-21 ↗ USD 30/month — Monthly USD 30 per user/month (minimum 2 users); 3,600 priority credits/user/month + unlimited slower queue + central billing and administration. Team Yearly (per user, min 2)2026-10-21 ↗ — USD 240/year Annual USD 240 per user/year (USD 20/user/month equivalent, minimum 2 users); 3,600 priority credits/user/month + unlimited slower queue + central billing. Enterprise Agreement2026-10-21 ↗ Contact sales Quoted Quoted Custom organization agreement and shared Enterprise Prepaid wallet. 8 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded. Official documentation (Plans and Credits) lists Free (30 credits/week when signing in with Google, Apple, or Microsoft; email/password accounts do not get free credits; public generations), Plus (USD 20/month or USD 180/year, i.e., USD 15/month, with 2,400 credits/month + unlimited slow queue + private mode), Pro (USD 60/month or USD 504/year, i.e., USD 42/month, with 7,500 credits/month + batch generation), and Team (min 2 users, USD 30/user/month or USD 240/user/year, 3,600 credits/user/month). Legacy Basic ($8/mo) is no longer sold. Cancellation, sources & verification recordMonthly plan credits reset on each renewal date and do not roll over; purchased top-up credits are spent after monthly credits. Manage subscriptions and auto-recharge in Settings → Wallet & Billing. Ideogram official documentation: Plans and Credits pricing table ↗ · 2026-10-21 Capture 1 ↗ | Media.io membership plans (Free Trial / Standard / Premium monthly and annual); USD · 2026-10-21 Plan · source date Monthly / one-time Annual bill / period Quota & limits Free Trial2026-10-21 ↗ Free Free Free 5 signup credits for new accounts (image upscaling costs 2 credits/run, allowing 2 free unwatermarked 2x PNG exports); pricing table also lists 3 daily check-in credits and 1 GB cloud storage. Standard Monthly2026-10-21 ↗ USD 10.99/month — Monthly 100 credits/month + 5 daily check-in credits (up to 100 images or 10 videos/month), watermark-free exports, and 20 GB cloud storage. Rules [1] Standard Annual2026-10-21 ↗ — USD 71.88/year Annual Billed annually at USD 71.88/year (USD 5.99/month equivalent); 100 credits/month + 5 daily check-in credits, watermark-free exports, and 20 GB cloud storage. Rules [2] Premium Monthly2026-10-21 ↗ USD 19.99/month — Monthly 400 credits/month + 10 daily check-in credits (up to 400 images or 40 videos/month), Turbo speed, watermark-free exports, 50 GB cloud storage, and 15% off extra credits. Rules [1] Premium Annual2026-10-21 ↗ — USD 119.88/year Annual Billed annually at USD 119.88/year (USD 9.99/month equivalent); 400 credits/month + 10 daily check-in credits, Turbo speed, watermark-free exports, and 50 GB cloud storage. Rules [2] 5 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded. The official pricing page lists Free Trial (5 free signup credits in the workspace where upscaling costs 2 credits/run, plus 3 daily check-in credits on the pricing table), Standard (USD 10.99/month or billed annually at USD 71.88/year, displayed as USD 5.99/month, with 100 credits/month + 5 daily check-in credits), and Premium (USD 19.99/month or billed annually at USD 119.88/year, displayed as USD 9.99/month, with 400 credits/month + 10 daily check-in credits and 15% off extra credits). Cancellation, sources & verification recordCancel auto-renewal anytime; the official pricing page states a 7-day money-back guarantee, and uploaded/generated files are automatically deleted within 7 days. Media.io official monthly/annual pricing and comparison table ↗ · 2026-10-21 Capture 1 ↗ · Capture 2 ↗ |
| Free & trial allowance on the test date | Free credits granted exclusively to Google / Apple / Microsoft OAuth accounts; default Ideogram 4.0 (Auto) costs ~12 credits for 4× 2048×2048 images | Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Cancellation & refunds | Monthly plan credits reset on each renewal date and do not roll over; purchased top-up credits are spent after monthly credits. Manage subscriptions and auto-recharge in Settings → Wallet & Billing. | Cancel auto-renewal anytime; the official pricing page states a 7-day money-back guarantee, and uploaded/generated files are automatically deleted within 7 days. |
| Disclosure of costs & limits | Disclosed upfront in the login page footer before registration ("Email accounts don't include free credits") | Credit cost ('Generate 2') is shown before submission, while the Watermark vs No Watermark (VIP) choice appears when clicking the download icon |
| Task quality | ||
| Measured fixture results | Not verified | Not verified |
| Fixture findings | Text and hand structure performed well on this prompt, with 2048px output; other prompts remain untested. | 'REALTEST 2026' lettering (25/25) and 5-digit robot hand structure (19/20) are crisp and accurate; 2 blue mugs are exact while 4 red apples were rendered instead of 3 (60.0/65). |
| Original historical observation | Powered by Ideogram 4.0, it is the only platform tested that exports native 2048×2048 (2K) unwatermarked images on the free tier while achieving a 64.0/65 constraint score (#4 overall at 88.2 pts). | Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Suitable uses · historical assessment | Designers and creators needing native 2048×2048 (2K) unwatermarked exports, world-class typography, and 5-finger anatomical precision | Users previewing Nano Banana 2 Lite prompt adherence and text rendering who do not mind a bottom-right corner watermark on free exports |
| Result & output evidence | No native output obtained; the preview does not establish final export quality. | |
| Delivery capabilities | ||
| Recorded export specifications | 2048×2048 (2K Original size unwatermarked JPEG, 785.6KB, 400% pixel retention) · Historical description; output not attached · Check watermark record No native output is attached; check the evidence for specification and watermark claims. | JPEG · Output attached · Check watermark record |
| Historical specification note · not an official maximum | 2048×2048 (2K Original Size Unwatermarked JPEG · Ideogram 4.0) | [1024, 1024] |
| Watermark observation | Zero watermark (clean 2048×2048 2K export) | Visible 'M Media.io AI Gen' watermark in bottom-right corner on free tier (unwatermarked export requires VIP) |
| Batch & API | 4-image batch default + Magic Prompt, Remove BG, Upscale, Edit (Ideogram 4.5), and Developer API | Supports multiple models (Nano Banana 2 Lite, Nano Banana Pro, Seedream, etc.), 1–4 outputs per batch, and one-click Agent refinement or video animation |
| Recorded free-tier dimensions | Not verified | 1024 × 1024 |
| Attached file dimensions | Not verified | Not verified |
| Speed & reliability | ||
| Timing observation | Network-observed server wait: 33.9s · End-to-end reference: 34.45s | Network-observed server wait: 15.17s · End-to-end reference: 15.48s |
| Date & fixture | 2026-10-16 · anchor_t2i_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914) | 2026-10-21 · anchor_t2i_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914) |
| Repeated tests & reliability | No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded. | No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded. |
| Interaction experience | ||
| Account requirements | Account required in this test | Account required in this test |
| Sign-in methods | Must sign in with Google / Apple / Microsoft to receive free credits (Email-only signups receive 0 free credits) | Authorized test profile; see dated run record |
| Manual adjustment | Not verified | Not verified |
| Interaction observations | Completing Google login (Pass 2) allows skipping the plan upsell ("Skip for now"); default Auto model invokes flagship Ideogram 4.0 (~12 credits), generates 4 concurrent variations, and allows free download of the full 2K (2048×2048) unwatermarked JPEG (03_download.png). | Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Background & reputation | ||
| Service lifecycle notice | Not verified | Not verified |
| Operator | Ideogram AI, Inc. | Publicly Listed Multimedia Software Giant AI Flagship (Wondershare, 300624.SZ) |
| Recorded origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Shenzhen, China / Vancouver, Canada |
| Domain history record | 2023–present | Publicly operating online service |
| Background & reputation assessment | Operated by Ideogram AI, Inc. (Toronto, Canada, founded 2023 by former Google Brain diffusion researchers Mohammad Norouzi, William Chan, et al., backed by a16z), globally renowned for AI typography. | Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| External reputation record | Not verified | Not verified |
| Engineering & privacy | ||
| Processing location | Uploaded for cloud processing | Uploaded for cloud processing |
| Third-party tracking record | Not verified | Not verified |
| Engineering & privacy assessment | Generates 4× 2048×2048 (4.19MP, 400% of 1024² baseline) images per run (~33.9s) and integrates native Remove BG, Upscale, and Ideogram 4.5 Edit apps. | Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Retention statement | Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record | Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record |
| Evaluation basis | ||
| Pricing transparency | 29 / 35 Landing page (01_landing.png) CTA "Get started" leads to the login page (01_pass1_login_modal.png), where bottom fine print explicitly discloses a critical rule: "*Email accounts don't include free credits — you'll need a paid plan to generate. Sign up with Google, Apple, or Microsoft to get free credits." | 20 / 35 Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Interaction restraint | 26 / 30 Completing Google login (Pass 2) allows skipping the plan upsell ("Skip for now"); default Auto model invokes flagship Ideogram 4.0 (~12 credits), generates 4 concurrent variations, and allows free download of the full 2K (2048×2048) unwatermarked JPEG (03_download.png). | 17 / 30 Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Background & reputation | 20 / 20 Operated by Ideogram AI, Inc. (Toronto, Canada, founded 2023 by former Google Brain diffusion researchers Mohammad Norouzi, William Chan, et al., backed by a16z), globally renowned for AI typography. | 18 / 20 Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Engineering & privacy | 14 / 15 Generates 4× 2048×2048 (4.19MP, 400% of 1024² baseline) images per run (~33.9s) and integrates native Remove BG, Upscale, and Ideogram 4.5 Edit apps. | 11 / 15 Historical rubric scores withdrawn pending review of the new run. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Task quality | 64 / 65 Text Rendering (25/25: Exact 2-line "REALTEST / 2026" hand-carved typography on the wooden sign with 100% spelling accuracy (25/25)) · Count & Color Binding (19/20: Strictly 3 red apples on the left + 2 stacked blue ceramic mugs on the right (slight twin-handle / 3rd rim artifact behind the lower mug, -1 pt) (19.0/20)) · 5-Finger Hand & Structure (20/20: Vintage brass robotic right hand supporting the bottom of the wooden sign displays 5 crystal-clear, distinct articulated brass fingers (20/20)) | 60 / 65 Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Deliverable specifications | 20 / 20 Clean unwatermarked export (8/8); Export & Max deliverable spec: 2048×2048 (2K Original Size Unwatermarked JPEG · Ideogram 4.0) | 13 / 20 Native file obtained; see format/dimension inspection. Used remaining 2 free credits for one Nano Banana 2 Lite image at 1K, 1:1, exact canonical prompt. Generated and downloaded native image with visible Media.io AI Gen watermark. Public visibility default ON shown in screenshot. No purchase. Correction: generation succeeded, but first download click produced no download event. Native export not yet saved; prior observation about downloaded native image was premature. Reopen result to finish download. Completed native download by selecting the Watermark option after opening the download menu. output.jpg is the actual delivered JPEG. Earlier click only opened that menu. Generation used 2 credits and exact 1:1 anchor prompt. |
| Processing speed | 3 / 15 Network-observed server wait: 33.9s (API mode: async_poll; end-to-end 34.45s shown for reference only, never penalized) | 6 / 15 Network-observed server wait was not reliably isolated; speed and aggregate scores remain unknown. |
