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DALL-E 3

by OpenAI

Freemium Image Generation

★★★★½ 4.5 (6,100 reviews)

DALL-E 3 is OpenAI's image generation model, integrated into ChatGPT. It excels at following detailed prompts accurately, generating text within images, and producing illustrations and diagrams — areas where Midjourney struggles.

How to Get the Most Out of DALL-E 3

Create Images with Readable Text for Thumbnails and Slides

DALL-E 3 is the only major image AI that reliably renders readable text within images. Prompt: "A bold YouTube thumbnail, text reading 'TOP 10 MISTAKES' in large white letters on a dark background, dramatic lighting, shocked face on the right." The text usually renders correctly on the first or second try — something Midjourney and Stable Diffusion consistently fail at.

Generate Diagrams and Illustrations for Technical Content

Use DALL-E 3 via ChatGPT to generate simple diagrams: "Create a clean flat-design infographic showing the 5 steps of the software development lifecycle, using blue and white, minimal style." For blog posts, documentation, or presentations, DALL-E's illustration style is more consistent than Midjourney's artistic aesthetic and better suited to technical contexts.

Iteratively Refine Images Through Conversation in ChatGPT

Because DALL-E 3 is embedded in ChatGPT, you can iterate naturally: generate an image, then say "Make it warmer in tone," "Add a person on the left side," or "Change the background to a forest." ChatGPT maintains context between turns, so you don't need to rewrite the full prompt each time — a significant workflow advantage over standalone image generators.

Our Take

DALL-E 3's main competitive advantage is text rendering and prompt accuracy — if your use case involves text in images or you need images that match a detailed description precisely, it's the best choice. For artistic quality and cinematic aesthetics, Midjourney produces noticeably more impressive results. DALL-E 3 is included in ChatGPT Plus, making it essentially free for existing subscribers — there's no reason not to use it when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DALL-E 3 and how do I access it?+

DALL-E 3 is OpenAI's image generation model, integrated into ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise plans. You can access it by starting a conversation in ChatGPT and asking it to generate an image. It's also available via OpenAI's API for developers at $0.040 per image (1024x1024 standard quality).

Is DALL-E 3 better than Midjourney?+

DALL-E 3 is better than Midjourney for generating images with accurate text, creating diagrams and illustrations, and following precise prompt descriptions literally. Midjourney produces higher-quality artistic and cinematic imagery. Choose DALL-E 3 for text-in-image use cases and technical illustrations; choose Midjourney for artistic and creative work.

Can I use DALL-E 3 images commercially?+

Yes. OpenAI grants users full ownership and commercial rights to images generated with DALL-E 3, including for commercial use in advertising, products, and publications. This applies to all paid plans. Check the current terms of service for any restrictions on specific types of commercial use.

Does DALL-E 3 have content restrictions?+

Yes. DALL-E 3 has content filters that prevent generation of violent, sexual, or harmful content, and will not reproduce copyrighted characters or the likeness of real people in most cases. These restrictions are stricter than some competitors like Stable Diffusion but more commercially appropriate for most professional use cases.

Try DALL-E 3 Today

Accurate image generation with text support. Free to start — no credit card required.

Visit DALL-E 3 →

Opens official website · Freemium · 2021 · 100M+ (via ChatGPT) users

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

Accurate prompt following
Best for text in images
Integrated into ChatGPT
API available
Good for illustrations and diagrams

✗ Cons

Less artistic than Midjourney
More conservative content policy
Less style variety
Requires ChatGPT Plus for unlimited use

Pricing

Free Plan

Via ChatGPT free (limited)

Paid Plan

Included in ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo)

Who Is It For?

✓ Best For

Illustrations, diagrams, text in images

✗ Not Ideal For

Artistic/painterly images, unconstrained creativity