Placid vs Imejis.io: Which Image API Delivers More Value? [2026]
Placid and Imejis.io both generate images from templates. But they couldn't be more different in how they charge you. Placid uses a confusing "worker" system. Imejis.io just charges per API call.
After using both, the choice was pretty clear for me.
Quick verdict imejisio wins on valueQuick Verdict: Imejis.io Wins on Value
| Factor | Placid | Imejis.io | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19/mo | $14.99/mo | Imejis.io |
| Free Tier | Trial only | 100/month permanent | Imejis.io |
| Pricing Model | Per-worker (confusing) | Flat rate (simple) | Imejis.io |
| Stock Photos | None | Unsplash built-in | Imejis.io |
| Public Links | Yes (Studio) | Yes | Tie |
| Video Generation | Yes | No | Placid |
| Integrations | Good | Extensive | Imejis.io |
Score: Imejis.io wins 5-1 (Placid only leads on video)
Understanding the pricing differenceUnderstanding the Pricing Difference
The biggest difference between Placid and Imejis.io is how they charge you. This matters more than you might think.
Placids worker based pricing confusingPlacid's Worker-Based Pricing (Confusing)
Placid uses a "worker" system that can be hard to understand:
| Plan | Price | Workers | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $19/mo | 1 worker | 5,000/mo |
| Pro | $39/mo | 2 workers | 20,000/mo |
| Business | $189/mo | 5 workers | 100,000/mo |
What does "1 worker" mean? It limits how many images can be processed simultaneously. With only 1 worker on the Basic plan, you may experience slower processing during peak usage.
Imejisios simple flat rate pricing clearImejis.io's Simple Flat-Rate Pricing (Clear)
Imejis.io keeps it straightforward - pay for what you use:
| Plan | Price | API Calls | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 100/month | 500 MB |
| Basic | $14.99/mo | 1,000/month | 2 GB |
| Pro | $24.99/mo | 10,000/month | 10 GB |
| Unlimited | $69.99/mo | 100,000/month | Unlimited |
No worker limits. No confusion. Just simple, predictable pricing.
Price comparison for real world usagePrice Comparison for Real-World Usage
Let's compare what you actually pay for 10,000 images/month:
- Placid Pro: $39/month
- Imejis.io Pro: $24.99/month
Imejis.io saves you $168/year for the same volume. And you get a permanent free tier to test with.
Feature comparison where each platform shinesFeature Comparison: Where Each Platform Shines
Template editor user experienceTemplate Editor & User Experience
The editor is where you'll spend most of your time - and UX matters.
Placid: Functional editor focused on dynamic templates. Works well but designed primarily for automation rather than creative design. The interface can feel technical for non-designers.
Imejis.io: Modern, Canva-like editor built for everyone:
- Zero Learning Curve: If you've used Canva, you'll master Imejis.io in seconds
- Real-Time Preview: See exactly how generated images will look as you design
- Intuitive Drag-and-Drop: Move, resize, and arrange elements naturally
- Smart Snapping: Elements align perfectly with intelligent guides
- One-Click Elements: Add shapes, icons, text, and images instantly
- Professional Layer Panel: Organize complex designs with ease
- Non-Designer Friendly: Marketing teams create stunning templates without Photoshop skills
Winner: Imejis.io (significantly better UX)
Stock photosStock Photos
Placid: No built-in stock photos. You need to provide all images yourself or pay for stock photo subscriptions separately.
Imejis.io: Full Unsplash integration built directly into the editor. Access thousands of professional, free-to-use photos without leaving the platform.
Winner: Imejis.io
This alone can save you $20-100/month on stock photo subscriptions.
Public shareable linksPublic Shareable Links
Placid: Offers "Studio" - a way to create shareable forms for image generation.
Imejis.io: Offers "Public Links" with the same concept - share templates as forms for non-technical users.
Winner: Tie
Both platforms let you share templates with team members who don't know how to code. This is a powerful feature for marketing teams.
Automation integrationsAutomation & Integrations
Both platforms connect to automation tools.
Placid:
- Zapier, Make (Integromat), n8n
- Airtable, Webflow, WordPress, Ghost
- ChatGPT integration
Imejis.io:
- Zapier - Connect to 5000+ apps
- Make.com - Advanced visual workflows
- n8n - Self-hosted automation
- Any HTTP Tool - The simple API works with anything
Why Imejis.io's API Makes Automation Easier:
- One endpoint means simpler Zapier/Make configurations
- Flexible JSON - easy to map data from any source
- Instant response - no webhooks needed for basic use cases
- No worker limits - straightforward API without complexity
Winner: Tie (both integrate with major automation platforms)
Api design developer experienceAPI Design & Developer Experience
This is where Imejis.io truly shines.
Placid: REST API with webhook support. Multiple endpoints to learn, plus the worker-based system adds complexity.
Imejis.io: The simplest image API on the market:
- One Endpoint: Just
/v1/{design_id}- that's the entire API! - Instant Image Response: Send request, get image back immediately
- Flexible JSON: Use nested objects, dot notation, or combine both
- Only Send What Changes: No need to pass all properties
- 5-Minute Integration: Most developers are live in minutes, not hours
Example:
curl 'https://render.imejis.io/v1/{DESIGN_ID}' \
-H 'dma-api-key: {API_KEY}' \
-d '{"text": {"text": "Hello World"}}'Winner: Imejis.io (dramatically simpler - one endpoint vs many)
Video generationVideo Generation
Placid: Yes, supports video generation alongside images and PDFs.
Imejis.io: Focuses exclusively on image generation (and does it exceptionally well).
Winner: Placid
If video is critical for your workflow, Placid has the edge here. But if you're primarily generating images, you're paying for a feature you don't need.
Processing speedProcessing Speed
Placid: Speed depends on your plan. With only 1 worker on Basic, you're limited to sequential processing. More workers = faster parallel processing.
Imejis.io: No artificial worker limits. Your images process as fast as possible regardless of plan.
Winner: Imejis.io
Pros and consPros and Cons
Placid prosPlacid Pros
- Video generation included
- ChatGPT integration
- Good no-code focus
- PDF support
Placid consPlacid Cons
- Confusing worker-based pricing
- No permanent free tier
- No built-in stock photos
- Single worker on Basic = slower processing
- More expensive at equivalent volumes
Imejisio prosImejis.io Pros
- Simple, predictable pricing
- Generous permanent free tier (100/month)
- Built-in Unsplash stock photos
- Modern, intuitive editor
- More direct integrations
- No worker limits on any plan
- 70% cheaper than Placid at scale
Imejisio consImejis.io Cons
- No video generation (image-focused by design)
- Newer platform (rapidly growing)
Real world cost comparisonReal-World Cost Comparison
Let's see how pricing works out for different team sizes:
Solo marketer small projectSolo Marketer / Small Project
| Need | Placid | Imejis.io |
|---|---|---|
| 100 images/month | Trial → $19/mo | Free |
Savings with Imejis.io: $228/year
Growing startupGrowing Startup
| Need | Placid | Imejis.io |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 images/month | $19/mo | $14.99/mo |
Savings with Imejis.io: $48/year + free tier for testing
Marketing teamMarketing Team
| Need | Placid | Imejis.io |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 images/month | $39/mo | $24.99/mo |
Savings with Imejis.io: $168/year
Agency high volumeAgency / High Volume
| Need | Placid | Imejis.io |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 images/month | $189/mo | $69.99/mo |
Savings with Imejis.io: $1,428/year
Who should choose placidWho Should Choose Placid?
Placid might be right for you if:
- Video generation is essential for your workflow
- You specifically need ChatGPT integration
- You're heavily invested in the Ghost CMS ecosystem
Who should choose imejisio most peopleWho Should Choose Imejis.io? (Most People)
Imejis.io is the better choice if:
- You want simple, predictable pricing
- You need a permanent free tier to test and prototype
- Stock photos would save you time and money
- You value a modern, intuitive interface
- You need extensive business integrations
- You want to save 30-60% on your monthly bill
- Image generation is your primary need
Migration from placid to imejisioMigration from Placid to Imejis.io
Switching from Placid to Imejis.io is straightforward:
- Start with Free Tier: Use 100 free credits to test your templates
- Recreate Templates: Imejis.io's editor is intuitive - most templates can be recreated quickly
- Update Integrations: Switch Zapier/Make workflows to use Imejis.io
- Enjoy the Savings: Keep the difference in your pocket
The verdict imejisio delivers more for lessThe Verdict: Imejis.io Delivers More for Less
Here's the bottom line:
| What You Get | Placid | Imejis.io |
|---|---|---|
| Image Generation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video Generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Stock Photos | ✗ | ✓ |
| Simple Pricing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free Tier | ✗ | ✓ |
| More Integrations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lower Cost | ✗ | ✓ |
Unless you specifically need video generation, Imejis.io is the clear winner. You get more features, simpler pricing, and significant savings - all while generating images just as effectively.
Ready to experience the difference? Start free with Imejis.io - 100 API credits per month, no credit card required.
Frequently asked questionsFrequently Asked Questions
Is imejisio a good placid alternativeIs Imejis.io a good Placid alternative?
Absolutely. Imejis.io offers everything Placid does for image generation, plus built-in stock photos, simpler pricing, and a permanent free tier. The only thing Placid has that Imejis.io doesn't is video generation.
Which is cheaper placid or imejisioWhich is cheaper, Placid or Imejis.io?
Imejis.io is cheaper at every tier. For 10,000 images/month, Imejis.io costs $24.99 vs Placid's $39 - that's 36% savings. Plus, Imejis.io has a permanent free tier while Placid only offers a trial.
Does imejisio have a feature like placids studioDoes Imejis.io have a feature like Placid's Studio?
Yes! Imejis.io's "Public Links" feature is equivalent to Placid's Studio. You can share templates as simple forms for non-technical team members to generate images.
Can i migrate from placid to imejisio easilyCan I migrate from Placid to Imejis.io easily?
Yes. The migration is straightforward: recreate your templates in Imejis.io's intuitive editor, update your Zapier/Make workflows, and start saving. Use the free tier to test everything before fully switching.
Which has better integrationsWhich has better integrations?
Imejis.io has more direct integrations (Google Sheets, Gmail, Stripe, Typeform, etc.) while Placid has unique ChatGPT integration. Both connect to 5000+ apps via Zapier.
Related comparisonsRelated Comparisons
Explore more detailed comparisons:
- Bannerbear vs Imejis.io - Compare with the market leader
- Best Bannerbear Alternatives - Full alternatives listicle
- Best Canva API Alternatives - For Canva users
- Best Image APIs for E-commerce - E-commerce focused guide