thumbnailcreator

The YouTube thumbnail maker with every top AI model.

Write one prompt. GPT Image 2, Nano Banana Pro, FLUX.2 and 6 more each make a thumbnail, side by side. Start free, then pay per image from $0.026. No subscription.

Which AI makes the best thumbnail? Compare them.

EXAMPLE

Excited chef, towering gourmet burger, bold text “$500 BURGER”

GPT Image 2 result for the burger prompt
GPT Image 2$0.167
Nano Banana Pro result for the burger prompt
Nano Banana Pro$0.195
FLUX.2 Max result for the burger prompt
FLUX.2 Max$0.130
Ideogram 4 result for the burger prompt
Ideogram 4$0.130
How it works

From text to thumbnail in three steps.

01 · START

Write a prompt

Type it, pick up to 4 models, press Generate. Sign in with Google or an email link. No password.

02 · OPTIONAL

Connect your agent

Copy one command with your key already in it. Claude, Cursor and ChatGPT can make thumbnails for you.

03 · AFTER $0.50

Buy credits when you need them

Only after the free $0.50. $10 or $25 packs, paid once. Credits never expire.

Pricing

Pay per image. No subscription.

Provider list price plus 30%, from $0.026 per image. $0.50 free to start, then buy $10 or $25 of credits. Credits never expire.

  • No subscription, credits never expire
  • Failed images are free
  • Buy $10 or $25 of credits, paid once

$0.50 free to start. No card until you use it up.

  • GPT Image 2OpenAI
    $0.167
  • GPT Image 2.5 FlareOpenAI
    $0.062
  • GPT Image 2.5 SunburstOpenAI
    $0.167
  • Nano Banana ProGoogle
    $0.195
  • Nano Banana 2Google
    $0.132
  • FLUX.2 MaxBlack Forest Labs
    $0.130
  • Seedream 5 LiteByteDance
    $0.046
  • Ideogram 4Ideogram
    $0.130
  • Grok ImaginexAI
    $0.026
For agents

Make thumbnails from Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT.

Sign in and the studio hands you one command with your key inside. Or skip the account: agents with a USDC wallet pay per call with x402.

# Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http thumbnailcreator https://thumbnailcreator.ai/api/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer tc_your_key"

# Cursor, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT and other MCP clients
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "thumbnailcreator": {
      "url": "https://thumbnailcreator.ai/api/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer tc_your_key" }
    }
  }
}

# Grok (xAI Responses API, remote MCP tool)
{ "type": "mcp", "server_url": "https://thumbnailcreator.ai/api/mcp",
  "server_label": "thumbnailcreator", "authorization": "tc_your_key" }
list_modelsModels and prices
generate_thumbnailsUp to 8 images
account_usageCredits left
FAQ

Straight answers.

Anything else: support@thumbnailcreator.ai

What's the best AI model for YouTube thumbnails?
It depends on the thumbnail. GPT Image 2 is the most reliable for readable text (GPT Image 2.5 Flare is the cheaper, faster option), GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst for the most precise detail, Nano Banana Pro for faces and reference photos, FLUX.2 Max for photoreal scenes, Ideogram 4 for bold typography and Grok Imagine for cheap exploration. Results vary by prompt, so ThumbnailCreator runs several models on the same prompt and lets you compare.
How much does an AI thumbnail cost?
$0.026 to $0.195 per image, depending on the model. New accounts get $0.50 free, then buy a $10 or $25 credit pack. Credits never expire.
What size are the thumbnails?
16:9 images are 1920×1080 JPEGs under 2 MB, ready for YouTube. You can also make 1:1 (1536×1536), 9:16 (1080×1920) and 4:5 (1200×1500).
Can I put my face or product in the thumbnail?
Yes. Upload up to 4 reference images. GPT Image 2, GPT Image 2.5 Flare, GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, Nano Banana Pro, Nano Banana 2 and Seedream 5 Lite use them for faces and products.
How is this different from Canva or Midjourney?
Canva is a template and layout editor; Midjourney is one model on a subscription. ThumbnailCreator runs several top models on one prompt, bills per image and exports ready-to-upload files. There's no layer editor, so use Canva when you need detailed layout work.
Can AI agents use ThumbnailCreator?
Yes. Connect Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT through the MCP server with a key from your account, install the Agent Skill, or let a wallet-enabled agent pay per call with x402.
Is ThumbnailCreator.ai the same as thumbnailcreator.com?
No. ThumbnailCreator.ai is an independent product and is not affiliated with thumbnailcreator.com. It bills per image with no subscription, and its web studio, MCP server, Agent Skill and x402 endpoint all live at thumbnailcreator.ai.
Is there a free trial?
Every new account gets $0.50 of free generations, enough for about 19 Grok Imagine images or 2 GPT Image 2 images. No card needed to start.
Do I pay for failed images?
No. The price is reserved when an image starts and released if the model fails or refuses the prompt. Charges come out of your prepaid credit balance, so spending can never exceed what you bought.
Can ChatGPT make a YouTube thumbnail?
Yes. ChatGPT uses OpenAI's image model. ThumbnailCreator.ai runs that model (GPT Image 2) next to Google's Nano Banana, FLUX and others on the same prompt, so you can compare before you pick.
Is there an AI thumbnail generator without a watermark?
Yes. Every image downloads without a watermark, including the ones made with the free $0.50.
Can you use AI thumbnails on YouTube?
Yes. YouTube allows AI-made thumbnails. Keep them accurate to the video, and don't use someone else's likeness without permission.
Can I use the thumbnails commercially?
Yes. Rights in the images you generate are assigned to you under our terms. AI output isn't guaranteed to be unique, so don't use it to copy someone else's work or likeness.