kitio.aiInvokeAI vs SwarmUI
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. InvokeAI starts at Free and SwarmUI starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Unified canvas with layers
- Regional prompting
- Node workflow editor
- Model manager
- Control layers
- Simple generate tab
- Built-in ComfyUI workflows
- Grid comparisons
- Multi-GPU support
- Video model support
| Feature | InvokeAI | SwarmUI |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-source image studio with a layered canvas and node workflows | Open-source image generation UI with a ComfyUI engine underneath |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Invoke community | mcmonkey |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
InvokeAI starts at Free and SwarmUI starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
InvokeAI
- Polished artist-friendly canvas
- Free and local
- Supports newer models
- Hosted version no longer offered
- Needs a capable GPU
- Smaller extension ecosystem
SwarmUI
- Easier than raw ComfyUI
- Supports new models quickly
- Can use multiple GPUs
- Smaller community than A1111
- Local setup required
- Docs assume some knowledge
Which one should you choose?
Choose InvokeAI if you want:
- Polished artist-friendly canvas
- Free and local
- Supports newer models
Watch out: hosted version no longer offered.
Choose SwarmUI if you want:
- Easier than raw ComfyUI
- Supports new models quickly
- Can use multiple GPUs
Watch out: smaller community than a1111.
InvokeAI vs SwarmUI FAQ
What is the difference between InvokeAI and SwarmUI?
InvokeAI: Open-source image studio with a layered canvas and node workflows. SwarmUI: Open-source image generation UI with a ComfyUI engine underneath. Both are image tools.
Is InvokeAI or SwarmUI cheaper?
InvokeAI starts at Free and SwarmUI starts at Free. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do InvokeAI and SwarmUI have free plans?
InvokeAI: Yes, fully free. SwarmUI: Yes, fully free.
Who makes InvokeAI?
InvokeAI is made by Invoke community.
Who makes SwarmUI?
SwarmUI is made by mcmonkey.
Which should I choose, InvokeAI or SwarmUI?
Choose InvokeAI if you value polished artist-friendly canvas and free and local. Choose SwarmUI if you value easier than raw comfyui and supports new models quickly.