The Nano Banana tool by Google is fun, but these 5 AI image tools are good alternatives

Google Nano Banana AI

Google’s “Nano Banana” may have the perfect mix of a quirky name and an easy learning curve, but it’s not the only AI trick worth playing with. The Gemini-powered feature has gone viral for turning selfies, pets, and even celebrity shots into hyper-realistic figurines complete with mock packaging. But beyond the buzz, several other AI platforms are quietly making serious creative strides. Here are five that stand out.

Nano Banana may grab headlines, but Imagen 4 is still Google’s flagship in image generation. Instead of tweaking existing photos, it creates entirely new visuals with a focus on realism—think portraits, product shots, and editorial-style images. It’s also smarter with context, avoiding the weird distortions earlier models produced. Many users even pair Imagen 4 with Nano Banana, starting fresh before refining details.

A favourite for social media creators, Canva’s generator is about convenience. It’s embedded into Canva’s existing templates and scheduling tools, so you can brainstorm, design, and post without switching apps. Free credits make it easy to test, and presets are optimised for Instagram, TikTok, and more.

Adobe’s answer to the AI wave sits inside tools many designers already use. Firefly is built for pros who need control and brand consistency, while Express is for quick, everyday projects. Both lean on Photoshop’s polish, combining speed with precision—an advantage if you’re after results that look campaign-ready.

Best known for inpainting and outpainting, DALL·E 4 makes it easy to add, remove, or extend parts of an image with minimal fuss. While Nano Banana is geared towards intricate edits, DALL·E is better for fast, playful, and flexible creations. A few words can turn into surprisingly polished results.

For those who prefer unlimited experimentation over glossy outputs, DeepAI is a fun sandbox. It offers a variety of styles, adjustable settings, and developer APIs. The results may not rival Google’s sharpness, but it’s the kind of tool that rewards creativity over perfection.