Retro Diffusion
Retro Diffusion is a web and API service for generating true pixel art on low-resolution grids with deliberate palettes and single-pixel outlines.
What Retro Diffusion is
Retro Diffusion is a web and API service for generating true pixel art on low-resolution grids with deliberate palettes and single-pixel outlines. It creates characters, portraits, scenes, tilesets, UI kits, item sheets, visual effects, textures, and animation. The editor supports inpainting, canvas expansion, background removal, palette remapping, and texture tiling. Reference images can be used to build custom styles without extra fees or training queues. Depending on style, true pixel resolutions range from 16×16 to 384×384, with lossless nearest-neighbor upscaled downloads. The API provides models, styles, animations, and editing tools through HTTP, including free cost checks and asynchronous jobs. A hosted MCP server is described for Claude, Cursor, and other assistants. Exports include PNG and GIF, and Low-Poly exports are described for several game and 3D tools. New accounts receive free starter balance, and failed generations are refunded.
Good
- Generates true low-resolution pixel art
- Editor includes inpainting and palette remapping
- Custom styles from reference images
- Free starter balance without payment details
- Personal and commercial use stated
Watch out
- Paid per image or clip after free balance
- Resolution depends on style
- Some integrations are described rather than detailed
Who it suits
It suits game developers, artists, and teams creating 2D pixel assets, textures, or animation. API users and people working with supported game engines can also use its integrations and exports.
Verdict
Retro Diffusion combines pixel-focused generation, editing, animation, and API access in one service. Its free starter balance and commercial-use policy make it easy to begin, while per-image or per-clip charges matter for larger production workloads.
Plans and prices
From Retro Diffusion's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| RD Fast | $0.03, paid once | Results in seconds · lowest cost model · per image |
| RD Plus | $0.06, paid once | Batches up to 16 · largest style library · per image |
| Animations | $0.07, paid once | Walk cycles, battle sprites, visual effects, 8-direction rotations · per clip |
| RD Pro | $0.18, paid once | Up to 9 reference images · per image |
The facts
Each one read from Retro Diffusion's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API
- The API exposes models, styles, animations, and editing tools through an HTTP endpoint, with free cost checks and asynchronous jobs.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Assets
- The product supports characters, portraits, scenes, tilesets, UI kits, item sheets, visual effects, and animation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Commercial use
- The maker says generated art is available for personal and commercial projects.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Custom styles
- Users can build custom styles from reference images, with no extra fees or training queues.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Editing tools
- Its editor includes inpainting, canvas expansion, background removal, palette remapping, and texture tiling.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Failed generations
- The maker says failed generations are refunded automatically.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Game engines
- Low-Poly exports are described for Godot, Unity, Unreal, Blender, Blockbench, and Minecraft.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker describes a hosted MCP server for Claude, Cursor, and other AI assistants, with setup guides on GitHub.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Retro Diffusion generates true pixel art with low-resolution grids, deliberate palettes, and clean single-pixel outlines.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Resolution
- The FAQ says supported true pixel resolutions range from 16×16 to 384×384 depending on style, with lossless nearest-neighbor upscaled downloads.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Free starter balance
- New accounts receive a free balance sufficient for dozens of RD Fast generations, with no payment details required.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Teams and enterprise
- The maker offers monthly invoicing based on spend and custom models trained for a project, with contact via Discord or [email protected].checked 8 Oct 2026
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