Just catching up on this thread. I have been using these tools for a few years now and remember how confusing it was at the start. I eventually settled on Leonardo.ai Creative Suite Free Tier for most of my quick projects because the value is hard to beat when you are on a budget.

• You get about 150 tokens every single day for free
• The interface allows you to pick specific models for a 3d or cartoon look
• Everything runs in your browser so you dont need a fancy computer Tbh, it can be a bit intimidating at first glance, but if you just stick to the basic prompt box you will be fine. If you run out of tokens and really need more, Leonardo.ai Apprentice Plan 8500 Tokens is exactly 10 dollars. I used it for a bunch of family projects last summer and it was super easy to manage without getting stuck in a trap. Just keep your prompts simple and it usually gives you exactly what you need for invitations.

Regarding what #2 said about starting out with free tiers, I totally agree it is the smartest way to go when you are just learning. I have been using Canva lately for my kids school stuff and I am really satisfied with the results. It is just so much easier when everything is in one place.

• the free ai tool is actually pretty good for cute graphics
• you can do the whole layout and text at the same time
• works perfectly on a phone browser or the app Just go with Canva and you cant go wrong for simple birthday invites. It is basically free if you dont need the fancy pro stuff and I have no complaints so far...

Building on the earlier suggestion, those free options are a solid start but I would suggest being really careful about where your images actually end up. Saw this thread earlier and wanted to chime in because I had a rough experience with a cheap site that suddenly deleted all my work right before a deadline. It was honestly a nightmare. Now, the one I got works much more reliably because I prioritize tools that have a very clear export system so I dont lose anything if the site glitches. Make sure to check if they claim ownership of your stuff too. I used a random tool once and later found my designs being used in their public gallery without me knowing. Was super annoying. Just stick to the names people trust even if they seem a bit basic at first, and always download your favorites as soon as they generate... you never know when a free service might suddenly change their terms or hit you with a paywall mid-session. It is way better to be safe than lose your work right before you need to print those invites.

Honestly, if you are worried about quality and safety, you might want to consider Adobe Firefly Web App because it is a very stable and professional platform. I would suggest being careful with how you phrase your prompts though, as the free credits are limited each month. It is very methodical and works great on either a phone or a laptop. If you need the images to actually say Happy Birthday or have specific names, then Ideogram 2.0 Text-to-Image is probably a better bet for you. It specializes in typography which most other free tools really struggle with. Just make sure to check your privacy settings on the free version since your creations are usually public. Since you mentioned a 10 dollar budget, Ideogram Basic Plan fits right in that bracket and gives you plenty of generations for a whole month. Just be cautious and remember to cancel the sub right after you are done so it doesnt charge you again later...

Honestly, you gotta try Microsoft Designer Image Creator DALL-E 3! It is absolutely fantastic and completely free to use with a basic account. I love it because its so safe and you dont have to worry about weird subscriptions. Just type in your ideas and it makes the cutest pictures! Perfect for birthday invites and works great on a phone too!

TL;DR: stick to the well-known sites mentioned here and stay away from random phone apps that ask for credit cards upfront. Basically, everyone here is pointing you toward the big names like Microsoft or Adobe, and they're right to do that. Honestly, i've been around the block with these tools and you really have to be careful. Last year, I tried this random budget generator I found on social media... big mistake. It looked simple enough, but they hid a recurring subscription in the tiny print and it was a nightmare to cancel. I ended up having to block my card entirely. It was so stressful just for some silly graphics. I would suggest always checking if there is a guest mode first so you dont even have to give them your email. If a site feels clunky or has way too many pop-ups, just close the tab. You might even want to consider just using some free clipart and doing a bit of DIY layout if the AI feels too overwhelming. Better to be safe than stuck with a bill you didnt see coming or having your data sold to who knows where... just be careful out there.