THE VERDICT
● ChatGPT Images if images are a step inside other work. Free tier included, no separate subscription, and it handles text in images well.
● Midjourney at $10 if the image is the deliverable. Nothing matches it on aesthetics.
● Note for today: the official DALL·E GPT retires 30 August. ChatGPT Images is the replacement, not an upgrade you opted into.
Head to head
| ChatGPT Images | Midjourney |
|---|
| Entry price | Free tier included | $10 Basic. No free trial |
| Aesthetic quality | Good | Best in class |
| Text in images | Strong | Weaker |
| API | Yes, via gpt-image models | None at all |
| Commercial use | Included | Stealth Mode effectively needs $60 Pro |
| Where images live | Dedicated gallery | Web interface and Discord |
THE MIDJOURNEY DETAILS THE PRICING PAGE DOES NOT STATE
No free trial at any tier. Client work effectively needs the $60 Pro plan for Stealth Mode. Companies above $1M annual revenue must be on Pro or Mega regardless of usage. And you buy GPU hours rather than images — a still frame is roughly one GPU minute.
Which one
| If you are... | Pick |
|---|
| Making images for articles or decks | ChatGPT Images. Already paid for |
| Needing readable text in the image | ChatGPT Images |
| Producing work a client will judge on look | Midjourney, and budget the $60 tier |
| Building images into a pipeline | ChatGPT Images. Midjourney has no API |
FAQ
Is ChatGPT Images free?
It is available on all tiers including free accounts. The variant with visible reasoning steps is limited to Plus, Pro and Business.
Did DALL-E get worse?
DALL-E is gone rather than changed. The official DALL·E GPT retired on 30 August 2026 and ChatGPT Images, running on newer gpt-image models, is the replacement.
Can I use Midjourney output commercially?
Yes, but client work effectively requires the $60 Pro tier for Stealth Mode, and companies above $1M annual revenue must be on Pro or Mega regardless of usage.