The Layer AI Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Layer AI in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Layer AI
The Insider’s Guide
AI image, video, 3D and audio creation for game studios
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI image and video generators, read from Layer AI’s own pages.
Made by Layer AI, Inc. · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Layer AI’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Layer AI’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.0
GPA, above 31 of the 168 other AI image and video generators we grade
Layer is a platform for game and ad studios that gives access to many third-party models for images, video, 3D and audio from one workspace. It adds custom style training, workflows, an optional creative agent, an API and plugins for tools such as Photoshop, Figma, Unity and Unreal. Usage is metered in Creative Units.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Layer AI, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It is aimed at studios, with workflows, style training and plugins to set up.
- 1
Best for game studios using many AI models
The pricing page lists no free allowance, and units cost different amounts per model, so a monthly bill is hard to predict.
- 2
Paid plans start at $10 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $10 per month for 300 Creative Units.
- 3
It runs on Web
Web, with a browser extension too.
- 4
Many models in one place
The site lists 136 image models, 175 video models and 48 3D models, from providers such as Google, OpenAI, Black Forest Labs and ByteDance.
- 5
Image and video editing tools
Includes upscaling, background removal, inpainting, relighting, vectorizing, camera-angle changes, video extension and lip sync.
- 6
Custom style training
The subscription includes advanced custom style training across providers, so a studio can keep one art direction across assets.
- 7
A 2.0 GPA, above 31 of 168
That is against the other AI image and video generators we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Layer AI you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Layer AI at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $10 per month for 300 Creative Units
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, Browser extension
- Made by
- Layer AI, Inc.
- Category
- AI Image & Video Generators
- Our grade
- 2.0 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for game studios using many AI models
Layer puts 136 image, 175 video and 48 3D models from big providers in one workspace, with custom style training and plugins for Unity and Unreal. The pricing page lists no free allowance, and units cost different amounts per model, so a monthly bill is hard to predict.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $10 a month for 300 Creative Units, then $60 per extra 1,000. That is near the category's middle, and the real cost depends on the models you use. |
| Free plan and trial | F | The pricing page gives no free allowance and lists no trial, although the site has a Start for free button. |
| Features | B | Images, video, 3D and audio, style training, an API and plugins for game tools. The listing names no gap in the core job. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating is on record. It is aimed at studios, with workflows, style training and plugins to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web and a browser extension, plus an API, an MCP server and plugins for Photoshop, Figma, Unity, Unreal and Blender. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Layer AI is for
- Fits if you run a game or ad studio and want one workspace for many models
- Works for teams that keep one art style with custom style training
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a free allowance, as the pricing page lists none
- Watch out: units are spent at different rates per model, so the monthly cost moves
- Tight if you do not use everything, since only 10% of units carry over
- Watch out: SOC 2, SAML SSO and an SLA are Enterprise, through sales
Good to know
Good for
- Game studios that need art, video and 3D assets from one account
- Marketing teams producing ad creative in many formats
- Teams that want to compare many image models without separate subscriptions
Worth knowing
- Creative Units are spent at different rates per model, so the monthly cost depends on which models are used.
- Unused units expire each billing period, with only 10% carrying over.
- The pricing page gives no free allowance, although the site has a Start for free button.
- Enterprise adds SOC 2 Type II, SAML SSO and an SLA through sales, not self-serve.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$10
A month to start
Layer AI is a paid product, starting at $10 per month for 300 Creative Units.
That is near the category's middle, and the real cost depends on the models you use.
Studio subscription
$10
per month for 300 Creative Units, then $60 per extra 1,000
No seat fees or feature gates. Pick a monthly Creative Unit amount; 10% of units carry over. Enterprise is sold through sales.
Read from layer.ai on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and Browser extension
AI image, video, 3D and audio creation for game studios. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: public API, AI agents, image generation, video generation, text to speech, voice cloning.
The listing names no gap in the core job.
- Many models in one place
- The site lists 136 image models, 175 video models and 48 3D models, from providers such as Google, OpenAI, Black Forest Labs and ByteDance.
- Image and video editing tools
- Includes upscaling, background removal, inpainting, relighting, vectorizing, camera-angle changes, video extension and lip sync.
- Custom style training
- The subscription includes advanced custom style training across providers, so a studio can keep one art direction across assets.
- 3D and audio
- Also generates textured 3D meshes with rigging and retexturing, plus music, sound effects, speech and voice cloning.
- API, MCP and plugins
- A REST API, an MCP server for Claude and plugins for Photoshop, Figma, Blender, Unity and Unreal let teams work from their own tools.
- Creative agent and playable ads
- An optional agent builds trailers, ads and playable ads from a brief. Most agent actions are free, but intensive ones spend units.
Where it runs
- Web
- Browser extension
What it works with
- Photoshop
- Figma
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- Blender
- Slack
- Claude
- Google Drive
Layer AI is made by Layer AI, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
31/168
Other AI image and video generators it is graded above
Layer AI's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 31 of the 168 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 31.
It stands best on features (B, above 104 of 168) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $10 a month, against a middle price of $11.88 for the category: 51 of the 120 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 7 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 169 AI image and video generators we grade, cut by the letter each got. Layer AI’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 16 of 168
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 168
- BFeaturesAbove 104 of 168
- CEase of useAbove 12 of 168
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 75 of 168
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 123 AI image and video generators. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Layer AI is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Layer AI you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 106 of the 168 other AI image and video generators grade higher. It costs $120 a year.
What you could not
- An image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
- A video model, which you can rent by the second but not make.
- A voice model, which you can rent by the minute but not make.
- A voice model trained on your recordings.
- An AI agent, with the models and the safeguards behind it.
- It plugs into other products, Photoshop, Figma and Unity among them, and has an API.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Layer AI’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Scenario, Leonardo.Ai, OpenArt, Krea and Magnific
The 5 tools Layer AI is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Scenario
Free plan · from $15/mo
Generative AI platform for game and studio asset production.
- Scenario has a free plan. Layer AI does not.
- Only Layer AI lists a browser extension.
- Layer AI also covers AI agents, text to speech and voice cloning.
- 3.0GPA
Leonardo.Ai
Free plan · from $12/mo
Image, video and 3D generator with its own and partner models.
- Leonardo.Ai has a free plan. Layer AI does not.
- Only Layer AI lists a browser extension.
- Only Leonardo.Ai lists iOS and Android apps.
- 2.4GPA
OpenArt
Free trial · from $13/mo
AI image and video studio with characters and multi-scene stories.
- Only Layer AI lists a browser extension.
- Layer AI also covers AI agents, text to speech and voice cloning.
- OpenArt also covers video editing.
- 2.8GPA
Krea
Free plan · from $5.25/mo
Image, video and 3D generation with real-time canvas and plugins.
- Krea has a free plan. Layer AI does not.
- Only Layer AI lists a browser extension.
- Only Krea lists an iOS app.
- 3.0GPA
Magnific
Free plan · from $14.50/mo
Formerly Freepik: AI image, video and audio tools plus stock library.
- Magnific has a free plan. Layer AI does not.
- Only Layer AI lists a browser extension.
- Only Magnific lists iOS and Android apps.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Layer AI free?
No. Layer AI is a paid product, starting at $10 per month for 300 Creative Units.
How much does Layer AI cost?
Layer AI lists one plan. Studio subscription: $10 per month for 300 Creative Units, then $60 per extra 1,000.
What platforms does Layer AI work on?
Layer AI is available on Web. It also has a browser extension.
Does Layer AI have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Layer AI is listed for Web.
Does Layer AI have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Layer AI is listed for Web.
Is Layer AI open source?
Layer AI is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does Layer AI have an API?
Yes. Layer AI offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Layer AI integrate with?
Layer AI's listing names Photoshop, Figma, Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, Slack, Claude and Google Drive.
Who makes Layer AI?
Layer AI is made by Layer AI, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Layer AI?
The closest alternatives to Layer AI in our directory are Scenario, Leonardo.Ai, OpenArt, Krea and Magnific.
How does Layer AI compare with other AI image and video generators?
Layer AI's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 31 of the 168 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 31.
Is Layer AI good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Layer AI C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $10 a month, against a middle price of $11.88 for the category: 51 of the 120 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Layer AI?
To replace Layer AI you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Layer AI’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Layer's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Layer AI, Inc. Prices change, so check layer.ai before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Layer AI, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/layer-ai
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Layer AI: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/layer-ai
Know someone choosing between AI image and video generators?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/layer-ai/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded AI image and video generators after Layer AI, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Image & Video Generators Insider's GuideEvery one of the 169 AI image and video generators we grade, compared
- Pixlr Insider's GuideBrowser photo editors with AI image, video and audio tools3.2 GPA
- Adobe Firefly Insider's GuideAdobe's image, video and audio generator, with partner models3.0 GPA
- ComfyUI Insider's GuideOpen-source node editor for image and video AI workflows, plus a cloud3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Layer AI’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Layer AI is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Layer AI, Inc. Prices and plans change: check layer.ai before you buy.