ColorMagic vs Perception
ColorMagic
colormagic.appPerception
perception.ioSide by side
| Figure | ColorMagic | Perception |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $14/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · AI Color Palette Generators | 7.8 (#9) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Product | ColorMagic uses AI to generate color palettes for designs. | Perception describes itself as a design intelligence company whose tools help designers make data-informed creative choices. |
| Support | The site provides a contact page with a contact form embedded from Google Forms. | Dedicated support is listed for Enterprise customers. |
Plans
Perception
- Perception LiteFree
- Perception Studio$14 a month
- Perception EnterprisePriced on request
In their own words
ColorMagic
ColorMagic is a free web tool that generates color palettes with AI, and it also offers an API. Palette inputs can be names, images, text, or hex codes; users can upload an image to extract colors. Results can be copied as colors, CSS, or gradient effects, or downloaded as PNG. Saving favorite palettes requires login. The site also includes a random color generator, color mixer, contrast checker, color name finder, coloring book, and color shades. Its mixer combines two colors at an adjustable ratio and reports the result in hex and RGB. The free API offers a GET endpoint to search palettes by query, including tags and text, but the API may be changed or removed without warning. The site says palette generation is unlimited and may show ads. The coloring book supports online coloring and downloading or printing artwork; pages are free for personal use, classrooms, and therapy sessions without an account. For the coloring book photo feature, processing happens in the browser unless a user chooses to upload through Illustrate with AI. The privacy policy says the service uses Google Analytics cookies and may collect profile and submitted information, device details, access history, referrers, IP addresses, server logs, and identifiers.
Perception
Perception is a web-based design intelligence product for exploring color choices through mood and palette tools. Perception Studio uses generative AI, color psychology and PaletteRank technology to suggest palettes from emotions. Users can request recommendations, add their own colors, inspect a palette’s mood, and copy or download color codes. The Palette Validator assesses existing combinations against perceived moods, while the Palette Dictionary supports searches by term or color. Studio subscribers can access a library of more than 50 million AI-generated palettes. Image color extraction is listed for Lite, Studio and Enterprise, and Adobe tools are the listed export destination. The free Lite plan allows three AI-generated palettes at a time, up to three colors per palette, and analysis of three top related moods. Studio costs $14 / month per member and allows nine generated palettes at a time, up to seven colors, analysis of all related moods, teams of up to 10 users, and unlimited favorites and bookmarks. The homepage says three palettes can be created for free without signing up. Enterprise pricing is by contacting sales.