Note: OpenAI retired the DALL-E brand in December 2025, replacing it with GPT Image 1.5 inside ChatGPT. We cover it here under its old name since that's still how most people search for it — pricing and access below reflect the current GPT Image product.
These three tools solve the "generate an image from text" problem in genuinely different ways, and the right pick depends on whether you value artistic style, prompt precision, or full local control.
Pricing at a glance
| Tool | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Midjourney | $10 / $30 / $60 / $120 per month | Basic ($10) gives ~200 Fast-mode images; Standard ($30) adds unlimited slower Relax-mode generations |
| DALL-E (now GPT Image) | Bundled with ChatGPT Plus, $20/month | ~50 images per 3-hour window, best-in-class prompt and text accuracy |
| Stable Diffusion | Free (self-hosted) | Free software, but needs a capable GPU (roughly €400–800 hardware) to run well locally |
Where each one wins
Midjourney remains the go-to for artistic, stylized, visually striking output — illustrations, concept art, mood boards. At $10/month it's also the cheapest paid option per image if you're willing to use Relax mode on the Standard plan.
DALL-E / GPT Image wins on prompt adherence and rendering readable text inside images — useful for mockups, memes, or anything where exact wording matters. Since it's built into ChatGPT Plus, you're also paying for a full chatbot subscription alongside it, which can make it the better value if you already want ChatGPT anyway.
Stable Diffusion is the only option with zero recurring cost and full local control — custom models, ControlNet for precise pose/composition guidance, and no usage caps. The tradeoff is a real hardware investment and a steeper learning curve than a hosted tool.
The bottom line
There's no universal winner here — these tools serve different workflows. Casual creators wanting the best-looking output per dollar should start with Midjourney's $10 plan. Anyone who wants image generation as a bonus inside a chatbot they're already paying for should stick with ChatGPT Plus. Power users who want unlimited generations, custom models, and don't mind managing their own GPU should go with Stable Diffusion.