No, Midjourney does not offer a free trial in 2026. The platform discontinued its trial program, meaning the only way to generate images is through a monthly subscription. This creates a high entry barrier for users who simply want to test the tool without committing to the $10 minimum fee.
To make matters worse, the entry-level “Basic Plan” limits you to roughly 200 images per month with no unlimited relax mode. GlobalGPT provides a powerful alternative to bypass these strict limitations.
GlobalGPT is an all-in-one AI platform integrating over 100 top-tier models, including Unikorn (MJ-like), Nano Banana Pro, GPT-5.2, and Sora 2 Pro. While Midjourney charges $30/month for standard unlimited images, our Pro plan delivers comprehensive text, image, and video generation for just $10.8, with Basic plans starting at $5.8. Enjoy unrestricted access with no region locks or watermark hassles.
On our platform, Unikorn and Midjourney are powered by the same underlying model, so there’s no need to be confused—the image quality is the same！
Is There a Midjourney Free Trial?
- No Free Tier: Midjourney does not offer a free trial or a free plan in 2026. While they briefly allowed free testing in the past, this program has been discontinued.
- Subscription Required: To generate even a single image, you must purchase a monthly or yearly subscription plan.
- No “Try Before You Buy”: There is no way to test the service without entering your payment details and paying the minimum fee first.
Official Pricing Tiers at a Glance
Midjourney currently offers four main subscription plans. You can pay monthly or annually (paying for a year upfront saves you 20%).
- Basic Plan ($10/month): This is the cheapest entry point. It gives you 3.3 hours of “Fast GPU Time” per month.
- Standard Plan ($30/month): This is the most popular plan. It includes 15 hours of Fast GPU Time and, crucially, unlimited “Relax” generations.
- Pro Plan ($60/month): Designed for heavy users. It offers 30 hours of Fast GPU Time and includes “Stealth Mode” for privacy.
- Mega Plan ($120/month): For power users or companies. You get 60 hours of Fast GPU Time and can run more jobs at the same time.
Understanding “Fast GPU Hours” vs. Actual Image Counts
Midjourney does not charge “per image“; they charge for “GPU time” (the time the computer spends drawing your picture).
- The Rule of Thumb: One minute of GPU time is roughly equal to one image generation.
- Basic Plan Math: The Basic Plan gives you 200 minutes (3.3 hours). This means you can create approximately 200 images per month.
- Running Out: Once you use up your Fast GPU hours, you cannot generate any more images on the Basic Plan unless you pay extra.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Fast GPU Hours | Approx. Images (Fast) | Unlimited Relax Mode? |
| Basic | $10 | 3.3 hrs | ~200 | NO |
| Standard | $30 | 15 hrs | ~900 | YES |
| Pro | $60 | 30 hrs | ~1800 | YES |
| GlobalGPT Pro | $10.8 | N/A | Flexible | N/A |
What Are the Key Differences Between Basic, Standard, and ProPlans?
The Game Changer: What is “Relax Mode” (Unlimited Generations)?
“Relax Mode” is the most important feature to understand before buying.
- What it does: It allows you to generate unlimited images without using up your expensive “Fast GPU Time.” You simply have to wait a little longer (usually 0-10 minutes) for the images to process.
- Who gets it: Only the Standard ($30), Pro ($60), and Mega ($120) plans include unlimited Relax Mode.
- Who misses out: The Basic Plan ($10) does NOT have unlimited Relax Mode. Once your 200 minutes are gone, you are done.
Concurrent Jobs & Queue Limits: How Many Images Can You Make at Once?
This refers to how many images the bot will work on simultaneously.
- Basic & Standard: You can only run 3 fast jobs at the same time.
- Pro & Mega: You can run 12 fast jobs at once. This is huge for professionals who need to work quickly.
- Queue Size: All plans allow you to queue up to 10 jobs to run one after another.
Commercial Usage Rights: Do You Own Your Images?
- Ownership: Yes, if you have subscribed to any plan, you are free to use your images for just about any purpose, including commercial use.
- Company Exception: If you are a large company making more than $1,000,000 USD per year, you must purchase the Pro or Mega plan to use the images commercially.
Why Is the $10 Basic Plan Often Considered a “Trap” for Beginners?
The “200 Image Limit” Reality: How Quickly Will You Run Out?
- Testing Consumes Data: Beginners often think 200 images is a lot. However, finding the right “prompt” (instruction) takes trial and error.
- The Math: If it takes you 4 tries to get a good image, you can only create 50 final images before your month is over.
- Hard Stop: Unlike many other services that slow down when you hit a limit, the Midjourney Basic plan simply stops working until you pay more.
No Relax Mode: Why You Pay Extra When the Clock Runs Out
- The Hidden Fee: If you finish your 3.3 hours on the Basic Plan, your only option to keep creating is to “Purchase Extra GPU Time.”
- The Rate: Extra time costs $4 per hour. This adds up very fast, making the $10 plan potentially much more expensive than the Standard plan in the long run.
The Hidden Cost of “Upscaling” and “Variations”
- Every Click Counts: It is not just the first image that costs money. Every time you click “Upscale” (make it bigger) or “Vary” (make changes), it uses your GPU minutes.
- Zoom and Pan: Advanced features like Zooming out or Panning also burn through your 3.3 hours quickly.
Does Paying $60/Month Guarantee Privacy (Stealth Mode)?
The Public Gallery Default: Who Can See Your Images?
- Open by Default: On Midjourney, every image you create is automatically posted to the public community gallery on their website.
- Visibility: Anyone can see your images, copy your prompts, and use your ideas.
- Discord Visibility: If you generate images in public Discord channels, thousands of other users can see them instantly.
The High Price of Privacy: Is “Stealth Mode” Worth $720/Year?
- Exclusive Feature: “Stealth Mode,” which prevents your images from being visible to others on the Midjourney website, is not included in the Basic ($10) or Standard ($30) plans.
- ProRequirement: You must upgrade to the Pro Plan ($60/month) to access Stealth Mode.
- The Cost: This means privacy effectively costs $720 per year. For freelancers or small business owners, this is a massive “privacy tax.”
Cheaper Privacy Alternatives for Professional Creators
- GlobalGPT Advantage: If you need privacy but cannot justify spending $60 a month, platforms like GlobalGPT offer private workspaces by default on much more affordable plans. You can use models that produce Midjourney-quality results (like Unikorn) without your work being broadcast to a public gallery.
Can You Use Midjourney for Text or Video Generation?
The Limitation of Single-Modal Tools in 2026
- Images Only: Midjourney is a specialized tool. It does one thing very well: generating static images.
- Limited Video: While the Pro/Mega plans offer some “video generation” capabilities(), these are typically short, simple animations based on images, not full text-to-video creation like Sora or Runway.
- No Text: Midjourney cannot write articles, code, or marketing copy.
The “Subscription Fatigue”: Calculating the Cost of MJ + GPT-4+ Sora
To have a complete modern AI workflow, buying Midjourney is just the first step. You often need to pay for multiple separate accounts:
- Image: Midjourney Standard ($30/mo).
- Text: ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo).
- Video: Runway or Luma ($30/mo).
- Total: You could end up paying $80+ per month just to have the basic tools.
Why Modern Creators Need Integrated Workflows
Switching between three different websites and paying three different bills is inefficient. An integrated platform allows you to generate an image, have an AI write the description for it, and turn it into a video—all in one place.
Are There Better Alternatives That Include Text, Image, and Video?
GlobalGPT vs. Midjourney: Comparing Value Per Dollar
Instead of paying for multiple subscriptions, GlobalGPT offers an “All-in-One” solution.
- Price: Plans start at roughly $5.80, significantly lower than Midjourney’s entry point.
- Variety: You get access to GPT-5.2 for text, Unikorn (an MJ-like model) for images, and Sora 2 for video.
- Savings: You save over 80% compared to buying these services separately.
How to Access Unikorn (MJ-Like), Nano Banana Pro, Sora 2, and GPT-5.2 in One Place
- Seamless Switching: On GlobalGPT, you can switch from writing a blog post with GPT-5 to generating a header image with Unikorn in seconds.
- Unikorn Model: This model is designed to mimic the artistic style and quality of Midjourney, giving you high-end visuals without the Discord hassle.
Breaking Region Locks and Payment Barriers with GlobalGPT
- No Region Issues: Midjourney often has strict payment checks and region blocks. GlobalGPT is designed to be accessible globally without VPN gymnastics.
- Easy Payment: We support more flexible payment methods, making it easier for users around the world to access top-tier AI tools.
FAQ: Common Questions About Midjourney Pricing
Q1: Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time via your account page. The cancellation will be effective at the end of your current billing cycle.
Q2: Is there a student discount for Midjourney?
No, Midjourney does not currently offer a specific discount for students or non-profits. Everyone pays the same standard rates listed above.
Q3: How do I pay for Midjourney without a credit card?
Midjourney primarily accepts credit and debit cards (Stripe). In some regions, this can be difficult. Alternatives like GlobalGPT often provide more diverse payment options suitable for local users.
Conclusion
In 2026, Midjourney remains a strictly paid service with no permanent free trial, meaning the only way to access its tools is through a monthly subscription. While the $10 Basic Plan offers an entry point, its strict 200-image limit and lack of unlimited “Relax Mode” often make it a costly trap for beginners who quickly run out of GPU time. Ultimately, creators should carefully weigh the high premium for privacy and single-modal image generation against more versatile solutions that may offer better long-term value and flexibility for a complete creative workflow.
