Myjourney vs DALL-E 3: Two Very Different Approaches to AI Images

DALL-E 3 and Myjourney solve the same problem — turning text into images — but they're built around completely different ideas. DALL-E lives inside ChatGPT. Myjourney is a dedicated image and video generation platform. That difference shapes everything: pricing, workflow, what you can actually do.

How They Work

DALL-E 3 is embedded in ChatGPT. You type a prompt in a conversation, ChatGPT interprets it, and DALL-E generates the image. The conversational layer is genuinely useful — ChatGPT rewrites your prompt to be more descriptive, and you can iterate by talking ("make the sky more dramatic," "remove the person on the left"). It feels natural.

The tradeoff: you're always going through ChatGPT. There's no direct access to DALL-E 3 outside of the chat interface (unless you use the API, which has its own pricing). You can't batch-generate, you can't quickly compare different styles, and your images live inside chat threads.

Myjourney is a standalone web app. You write a prompt, choose a model (Flux Schnell, Flux Pro, Imagen 3, or others), set parameters, and generate. Results appear in a gallery. It's purpose-built for image generation, not bolted onto a chatbot.

Pricing: $20/Month vs Pay-As-You-Go

DALL-E 3 access requires one of:

• ChatGPT Plus at $20/month (includes DALL-E with usage caps — roughly 50 images in a 3-hour window)
• ChatGPT Team/Enterprise at $25-30+/month per seat
• OpenAI API at $0.04/image (standard) to $0.08/image (HD) for 1024×1024

If you're already paying for ChatGPT Plus for other reasons, DALL-E feels "free." But if image generation is your main use case, $20/month is steep for what you get. The rate limits mean heavy users hit walls.

Myjourney's pricing is pure pay-as-you-go. Fast drafts with Flux Schnell run about $0.03 per image. Higher quality models like Flux Pro or Imagen 3 cost $0.10-0.15. No subscription. No rate limits. Generate 5 images or 500 — you pay for what you use.

For someone generating 50-100 images per month, Myjourney costs roughly $1.50-5.00 total. DALL-E through ChatGPT Plus costs $20 flat, whether you generate 10 images or hit the cap daily.

Image Quality

DALL-E 3 produces clean, safe, predictable output. It's very good at following complex prompts — the ChatGPT layer helps parse multi-part descriptions accurately. Photorealism is decent but tends toward a slightly plastic look. Where DALL-E genuinely shines: text rendering in images. It handles signs, labels, and typography better than most competitors.

Weaknesses: DALL-E is conservative. Content filtering is aggressive (sometimes too aggressive — innocent prompts get flagged). You get one style, one model. The output resolution maxes at 1024×1792.

Myjourney's quality varies by model, which is both a strength and a complexity:

• Flux Pro tends toward richer detail and more artistic compositions
• Imagen 3 handles photorealism well and is competitive on text rendering
• Flux Schnell is lower quality but generates in ~2 seconds — useful for rapid iteration

You pick the right tool for the job. A product mockup might use Imagen 3; an illustration might use Flux Pro. This flexibility means a slightly steeper learning curve but better results once you know which model fits which task.

Video Generation

Myjourney supports video generation through Veo and other video models. Text-to-video, image-to-video — it's integrated into the same platform with the same credit system. Quality is usable for social media, mood boards, and short-form content. It's early-stage technology with visible artifacts, but it exists and it's improving.

DALL-E 3 does not generate video. OpenAI has Sora, but it's a separate product with separate pricing and availability. If you want images and video from one workflow, DALL-E can't do it.

Commercial Rights

Both platforms grant commercial usage rights for generated images. DALL-E's terms through ChatGPT are clear — you own what you generate. Myjourney similarly grants full commercial rights on generated content.

One nuance: DALL-E through the API has different terms than through ChatGPT. If you're building a product on top of the API, read the fine print on OpenAI's usage policies.

Workflow and Integration

DALL-E's ChatGPT integration is a double-edged sword. Great for conversational iteration and non-technical users who just want to describe what they need. Frustrating for power users who want batch generation, direct parameter control, or a proper image management workflow.

Myjourney's web interface is built for focused image work. Draft mode lets you iterate cheaply before committing to high-quality renders. A gallery keeps your generations organized. Multiple models are available from the same prompt. It's less accessible to complete beginners but more efficient for anyone doing serious image work.

When to Use DALL-E

• You already pay for ChatGPT Plus and generate images occasionally
• You want conversational prompt refinement (tell it what to change in plain English)
• Text-heavy images (posters, signs, UI mockups with labels)
• You need the simplest possible workflow — just type and get an image

When to Use Myjourney

• Image generation is your primary use case, not a ChatGPT add-on
• You want to control costs precisely (pay-per-image, no subscription)
• You need multiple model options for different styles and quality levels
• You need video generation alongside stills
• You generate in volume and need a proper gallery/workspace

The Verdict

DALL-E 3 is convenient if you live inside ChatGPT anyway. The conversational interface lowers the barrier and text rendering is a real strength. But you're paying $20/month minimum, locked to one model, and missing video entirely.

Myjourney is the better dedicated tool. Multiple models, video support, transparent per-image pricing, and a UI built specifically for generation work. It requires a bit more intention — you pick your model, you manage your credits — but that control pays off in both quality and cost.

Try Myjourney's generator with a few prompts and compare the output yourself. No subscription required. You can also browse the gallery to see real examples.

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Also worth reading: Myjourney vs Midjourney and our best AI image generators roundup.