Image AI Providers
Set up AI image generation with Google AI, OpenAI, or Replicate for creating visuals for your LinkedIn posts.
Overview
LinkedGrow supports AI image generation from 3 providers, on the Pro plan and above of the hosted service and on every self hosted instance. You can set up more than one image provider and switch between them depending on what you need.
Google AI (Nano Banana)
Google AI offers 3 image models, and they use the same API key as your Gemini text models.
API key URL: aistudio.google.com/apikey
Key format: AIza... (same key as Google text models)
Available models:
| Model | Quality | Price per image |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) | Best quality, up to 4K | $0.13 - $0.24 |
| Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) | Balanced quality and cost | $0.07 - $0.15 |
| Nano Banana 2 Lite (Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image) | Cheapest Google option | ~$0.03 |
Resolution options: 1K (~1376x768), 2K (~2752x1536), 4K (~4096x2304)
Aspect ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, 21:9
If you already have a Google AI key for text, you do not need a separate key for images. Configure the image provider in Settings > AI API and reuse the key you already saved.
OpenAI (GPT Image)
OpenAI offers 4 image models using the same API key as its text models.
API key URL: platform.openai.com/api-keys
Key format: sk-... (same key as OpenAI text models)
Available models:
| Model | Quality | Price per image |
|---|---|---|
| GPT Image 2 (Recommended) | Best quality | $0.006 - $0.21 |
| GPT Image 1.5 | Legacy | See OpenAI pricing |
| GPT Image 1 | Legacy | See OpenAI pricing |
| GPT Image 1 Mini | Legacy | See OpenAI pricing |
Resolution options: Square (1024x1024), Landscape (1792x1024), Portrait (1024x1792)
Quality settings: High (best quality, slower), Medium (balanced), Low (fastest)
The wide price range comes from the quality setting and the resolution you pick, so a square image at low quality sits at the bottom of the range and a wide one at high quality sits at the top.
Replicate (FLUX)
Replicate provides the FLUX models, which are open weight image models known for quality and fine control.
API key URL: replicate.com/account/api-tokens
Key format: r8_...
Important: Replicate requires its own account and API key. Your OpenAI or Google key will not work here.
Available models:
| Model | Quality | Price per image |
|---|---|---|
| FLUX.2 Max | Highest fidelity | See Replicate pricing |
| FLUX.2 Pro | Best quality, 8 reference images | ~$0.05 |
| FLUX.2 Flex | Typography, 10 reference images | ~$0.04 |
| FLUX.2 Dev | Standard, supports references | ~$0.03 |
| FLUX.2 Klein 4B | Sub second generation | See Replicate pricing |
| FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra | 4MP output | ~$0.06 |
| FLUX Schnell | Fastest and cheapest | ~$0.003 |
Resolution options: Square (1024x1024), Landscape (1536x1024), Portrait (1024x1536), 4MP Square (2048x2048)
Setting up image generation
- Go to Settings > AI API in LinkedGrow
- Scroll down to the Image Generation section
- Select your image provider
- Paste your API key, or confirm it is already configured if you reuse your text key
- Choose a model, resolution, and aspect ratio
- Click Save
Which provider should you choose?
Google AI makes the most sense if you already have a Gemini key, and Nano Banana 2 Lite at roughly $0.03 per image is its cheapest option. OpenAI is the natural pick if you already run GPT for text, where GPT Image 2 starts around $0.006 per image at the lowest quality setting. Replicate is worth the separate account when you want open weight models, or the control that comes from passing your own reference images, and FLUX Schnell at roughly $0.003 per image is the cheapest option across all 3 providers.