5 MIN READ
DALL-E vs Midjourney vs Imagen: AI Image Generators Compared
By Learnia Team
DALL-E vs Midjourney vs Imagen: AI Image Generators Compared
This article is written in English. Our training modules are available in French.
Which AI image generator should you use? The answer depends on what you're creating. Here's an honest comparison of the leading tools in 2025.
The Contenders
| Tool | Creator | Access | Best For | |------|---------|--------|----------| | DALL-E 3 | OpenAI | ChatGPT, API | Text-heavy images, iteration | | Midjourney v6 | Midjourney | Discord, Web | Artistic quality, aesthetics | | Imagen 3/4 | Google | Gemini, API | Speed, typography | | Stable Diffusion | Stability AI | Local, various | Control, customization | | Leonardo.ai | Leonardo | Web app | Game assets, fine-tuning |
DALL-E 3 (OpenAI)
Strengths
✅ Excellent text in images
"Welcome to Paris" renders clearly
✅ ChatGPT conversation interface
Iterate naturally: "Make it more colorful"
✅ Best prompt understanding
Handles complex, nuanced descriptions
✅ Built-in content safety
Refuses harmful requests
Weaknesses
❌ Less artistic flair than Midjourney
❌ Limited style control
❌ Can feel "safe" or generic
❌ No image-to-image (yet)
Best For
- Marketing with text overlays
- Quick iterations via chat
- Users who want conversation, not commands
- Brand-safe content needs
Pricing
ChatGPT Plus: $20/month (includes DALL-E)
API: ~$0.04-0.08 per image
Midjourney v6
Strengths
✅ Stunning artistic quality
Best aesthetics among all tools
✅ Unique Midjourney "look"
Distinctive style many love
✅ Excellent at photography styles
Realistic photos, cinematic shots
✅ Strong community
Discord = instant inspiration
Weaknesses
❌ Text rendering still imperfect
❌ Discord interface (learning curve)
❌ Less prompt flexibility than DALL-E
❌ No API (yet)
Best For
- Concept art and illustration
- Mood boards and visual exploration
- Photography-style images
- When aesthetics matter most
Pricing
Basic: $10/month (limited generations)
Standard: $30/month (most users)
Pro: $60/month (fast generation)
Imagen 3/4 (Google)
Strengths
✅ Fastest generation
Up to 10× faster than competitors
✅ Excellent typography
Handles text in images well
✅ High resolution
Up to 2K without upscaling
✅ Gemini integration
Natural conversation interface
Weaknesses
❌ Less artistic personality
❌ Stricter content limits
❌ Limited style control
❌ Availability varies by region
Best For
- High-volume production
- Text-heavy graphics
- Google ecosystem users
- Speed-critical workflows
Pricing
Gemini Advanced: $20/month (includes Imagen)
API: Contact for pricing
Stable Diffusion (Open Source)
Strengths
✅ Complete control
Run locally, no restrictions
✅ Infinite customization
Fine-tune on your own data
✅ Free to use
No subscription, no limits
✅ Huge ecosystem
ControlNet, LoRAs, community models
Weaknesses
❌ Requires technical setup
❌ Quality varies by model
❌ No safety guardrails (can be pro or con)
❌ Hardware requirements (GPU needed)
Best For
- Developers and technical users
- Custom model fine-tuning
- Privacy-sensitive applications
- High-volume batch generation
Pricing
Free (open source)
Hardware costs: GPU for local use
Cloud: Various providers ($0.01-0.05/image)
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Text Rendering
🥇 DALL-E 3: Best overall text handling
🥈 Imagen 4: Excellent, very fast
🥉 Midjourney v6: Improving but inconsistent
📉 Stable Diffusion: Depends on model
Artistic Quality
🥇 Midjourney: Distinctive, stunning aesthetics
🥈 DALL-E 3: Clean, professional
🥉 Imagen: Good but less personality
📉 Stable Diffusion: Varies widely
Photorealism
🥇 Midjourney: Exceptional photos
🥈 DALL-E 3: Very good
🥉 Imagen: Good, natural lighting
📉 Stable Diffusion: Model-dependent
Speed
🥇 Imagen: Fastest (seconds)
🥈 DALL-E 3: ~15-30 seconds
🥉 Midjourney: ~30-60 seconds
📉 Stable Diffusion: Depends on hardware
Control & Customization
🥇 Stable Diffusion: Complete control
🥈 Leonardo: Good fine-tuning options
🥉 Midjourney: Style parameters
📉 DALL-E/Imagen: Limited control
Use Case Recommendations
Marketing & Advertising
Primary: DALL-E 3 (text handling + iteration)
Backup: Imagen (speed for volume)
Art Direction & Concept Art
Primary: Midjourney (artistic quality)
Backup: Leonardo (style fine-tuning)
Product Mockups
Primary: DALL-E 3 (accurate prompt following)
Backup: Stable Diffusion (custom training)
Social Media Content
Primary: Imagen (speed + text)
Backup: DALL-E 3 (iteration via chat)
Game Assets
Primary: Leonardo (game-specific models)
Backup: Stable Diffusion (custom LoRAs)
Photography Style
Primary: Midjourney (best photorealism)
Backup: Stable Diffusion (SDXL + fine-tunes)
The Workflow Sweet Spot
Many professionals use multiple tools:
1. Ideation: Midjourney (explore aesthetics)
2. Refinement: DALL-E 3 (iterate via conversation)
3. Production: Stable Diffusion (batch + consistency)
4. Quick needs: Imagen (speed)
Don't commit to one tool—use each for its strengths.
Decision Flowchart
Need text in image?
├── Yes → DALL-E 3 or Imagen
└── No → Continue
Prioritize artistic quality?
├── Yes → Midjourney
└── No → Continue
Need full control?
├── Yes → Stable Diffusion
└── No → Continue
Need speed?
├── Yes → Imagen
└── No → DALL-E 3 (best all-rounder)
Key Takeaways
- →DALL-E 3: Best for text, iteration, and all-around use
- →Midjourney: Best for artistic quality and aesthetics
- →Imagen: Best for speed and high-volume production
- →Stable Diffusion: Best for control and customization
- →Use multiple tools for different stages of your workflow
Ready to Master AI Image Creation?
This article compared the major tools. But effective image generation requires understanding prompt structures, style control, and each tool's nuances.
In our Module 7 — Creative & Multimodal Prompts, you'll learn:
- →Detailed prompting for each tool
- →Style and composition control
- →Working around limitations
- →Building consistent brand imagery
- →Advanced techniques (inpainting, ControlNet)
GO DEEPER
Module 7 — Multimodal & Creative Prompting
Generate images and work across text, vision, and audio.