Stable Diffusion
Open-source image generation you can run locally
Stability AI · Image Generation
Launched Aug 22, 2022
Quick Answer
Stable Diffusion is open-source image generation you can run locally, made by Stability AI. It is free and open source. Key uses: Local image generation, Custom model fine-tuning, Batch generation.
Last updated:
Users
10M+ SD model downloads (HuggingFace alone)
Revenue
Stability AI struggling (~$30M ARR estimate, 2024)
Valuation
$1B (2022, has since fallen significantly)
Employees
~150
What is Stable Diffusion?
Stable Diffusion is an open-source latent diffusion model for image generation. Can be run locally on consumer hardware, with a massive ecosystem of fine-tuned models and ControlNet extensions.
How did Stable Diffusion get started?
Released Aug 22, 2022 - open-source release triggered explosion of AI art tools. SDXL (1.0) Jul 2023 - photorealism leap. Stability AI faced financial difficulties 2024; CEO Emad Mostaque resigned Mar 2024. Despite company struggles, SD model ecosystem thrives independently. SD 3 (Mar 2024) and SD 3.5 (Oct 2024) open-sourced.
What's new in Stable Diffusion in 2026?
SD 3.5 Large Turbo (fast inference, Apr 2025); Stability AI restructured under new CEO (2025); community ecosystem thrives independently via ComfyUI & A1111
How much does Stable Diffusion cost?
Open Source (Local)
Free
- Unlimited generations
- Full model control
- Fine-tune freely
- Requires GPU (4GB+ VRAM)
DreamStudio (Web)
Credit-based
- No GPU needed
- Latest official models
- $10 = ~500 images
- REST API included
Stability API (SD 3.5)
$0.065/image
- Highest quality SD 3.5 Large
- No setup required
- Scalable
What can you do with Stable Diffusion?
- Local image generation
- Custom model fine-tuning
- Batch generation
- Research
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Runs locally
- Huge model ecosystem
Cons
- Technical setup required
- Hardware requirements
- Variable quality
What are the best alternatives to Stable Diffusion?
Compare Stable Diffusion Head-to-Head
Frequently Asked Questions about Stable Diffusion
How much does Stable Diffusion cost?
Stable Diffusion pricing: Open Source (Local) at Free; DreamStudio (Web) at Credit-based; Stability API (SD 3.5) at $0.065/image.
Is Stable Diffusion free?
Yes, Stable Diffusion is fully free and open source.
What is Stable Diffusion used for?
Stable Diffusion is used for: Local image generation, Custom model fine-tuning, Batch generation, Research.
What are the best alternatives to Stable Diffusion?
Top alternatives to Stable Diffusion include Midjourney, GPT Image 2, Midjourney.
What platforms does Stable Diffusion support?
Stable Diffusion is available on: Local (Windows/Mac/Linux), DreamStudio (web), Automatic1111 WebUI, ComfyUI, Replicate API, HuggingFace Spaces.
Details
Underlying Models
Platforms
Integrations
Ideal For
- Developers
- Artists wanting control
- Fine-tuning enthusiasts
- Self-hosted AI
- Batch generation