What Is Civitai?

Civitai is a generative AI model hub focused on the discovery, sharing, and use of AI-driven art models. It is widely used by digital artists, hobbyists, researchers, and developers to find AI models that tailor image generation to specific styles, characters, or creative effects — especially within the Stable Diffusion ecosystem.

Key Features

Massive Model Repository

Civitai provides a centralized database of AI art resources, including checkpoints (base models), LoRAs, textual inversions, VAEs, and other model types that users can browse, filter, and download for creative workflows.

Community Galleries and Sharing

Users can view images generated by models, leave reviews, and engage with other creators. The platform fosters collaboration through galleries, discussions, guides, and tutorials.

On-Site Image Generation

Rather than requiring users to run models locally, Civitai offers a built-in generation feature where users can test models and prompts directly on the site. This convenience makes it accessible even without personal GPU resources.

Buzz Virtual Currency

“Buzz” is the platform’s internal currency. Users can earn Buzz through community contributions or purchase it directly. Buzz is used to generate images on Civitai’s servers, tip creators, post bounties, and access advanced site features.

Creator Economy & Bounties

Civitai supports a creator ecosystem where model authors can earn Buzz when their resources are used or purchased. The bounty system allows community members to request and fund specific models, encouraging collaborative development.

Pricing & Membership

Civitai operates on a freemium model with optional supporter tiers that provide Buzz stipends, enhanced generation limits, and additional perks:

Free Tier – $0/month

1. Browse and download models
2. Basic access to on-site generation
3. Limited Buzz and queue sizes
4. Community features

Bronze Supporter – ~$10/month

1. 10,000 Buzz per month
2. Higher images-per-job and queue limits
3. Priority support
4. Ad-free browsing and supporter badge

Silver Supporter – ~$25/month

1. 25,000 Buzz per month
2. Increased Buzz bonuses on purchases
3. Premium support and queue boosts

Gold Supporter – ~$50/month

1. 50,000 Buzz per month
2. Highest generation limits
3. VIP support and animated badge

Users can also purchase additional Buzz bundles separately to spend on image generation outside membership allowances.

How It Works

1. Browse Models: Search and filter from thousands of community-submitted AI models and resources.
2. Download or Use On-Site: Either download models for local use in Stable Diffusion workflows or generate images directly on Civitai with Buzz.
3. Engage with Community: Leave reviews, view galleries, participate in discussions, and request resources through the bounty system.
4. Earn & Spend Buzz: Earn Buzz by contributing or engage the supporter tiers to increase Buzz allotments and gain perks.

Ideal Users

Civitai is widely used by:

1. Digital Artists & Illustrators seeking customizable AI models.
2. AI Enthusiasts & Hobbyists who want to experiment with latest models without local hardware.
3. Content Creators & Designers needing unique visuals tailored via community models.
4. Developers & Researchers exploring generative AI workflows and model fine-tuning.

Benefits

1. Huge Model Selection: One of the most extensive repositories of AI art models online.
2. Accessible Generation: Generate art directly on the web without GPU setup.
3. Active Community: Engage with creators, learn from galleries, and share outputs.
4. Flexible Pricing: Free access with optional subscriptions for heavy usage.