Midjourney vs DALL-E: Complete Comparison [2025]
"Midjourney or DALL-E - which AI image generator should I use?"
The short answer: It depends on your goals.
For artistic work: Midjourney
For ease of use: DALL-E 3
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What You'll Learn
- 1 Key differences between Midjourney and DALL-E 3
- 2 Image quality, pricing, and feature comparison
- 3 Which to choose for your side hustle
Midjourney vs DALL-E 3: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Midjourney | DALL-E 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10-30/month | Included in ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) |
| Free Tier | Limited trial | Limited in free ChatGPT |
| Image Quality | Excellent for art | Very good |
| Best For | Art & Fantasy | Realistic & Explanatory |
| Ease of Use | Requires Discord | Very easy (ChatGPT) |
| Language | English recommended | Any language OK |
| Images per Generation | 4 images | 1 image |
| Commercial Use | Pro plan ($30+) recommended | OK (Plus subscription) |
| Text Understanding | Good | Excellent |
Key Takeaway: Midjourney excels in artistic quality, while DALL-E 3 shines in ease of use and prompt understanding.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Image Quality
Midjourney
Known for artistic, stylized images. Exceptional at fantasy, sci-fi, and artistic compositions. Detail rendering and lighting are often praised.
DALL-E 3
Clean, realistic output. Great for business graphics, explanatory images, and simple illustrations.
Verdict: Choose Midjourney for artistic work, DALL-E 3 for practical applications
Ease of Use
Midjourney
Requires Discord for commands. Has a learning curve initially, though a web interface is now available.
DALL-E 3
Just chat with ChatGPT in any language. Incredibly easy to use. No technical knowledge required.
Verdict: DALL-E 3 is much easier for beginners
Pricing & Value
Midjourney
- Basic: $10/month (200 images)
- Standard: $30/month (unlimited)
- Pro: $60/month (commercial)
DALL-E 3
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/month
- Includes image generation
- Plus all ChatGPT features
Verdict: If you also use ChatGPT, DALL-E 3 offers better value. For image-focused work, Midjourney is competitive.
Commercial Use (Important for Side Hustles!)
Midjourney
Pro plan ($30+) is recommended for commercial use. Basic plan is for personal use only.
Note: Commercial use on Basic may violate terms
DALL-E 3
ChatGPT Plus ($20) allows commercial use.
Lower barrier for commercial projects
Verdict: For commercial side hustles, DALL-E 3 is more cost-effective
Which Should You Choose? Use Case Guide
Recommended Stock Photo Sales: Midjourney
Quality matters most in the stock photo market. Midjourney's artistic output stands out. However, Pro plan is required.
Recommended Blog Featured Images: DALL-E 3
Quickly generate images matching your article content. Write your blog post in ChatGPT and create images in the same interface.
Either Social Media Graphics: Both work well
Choose Midjourney for unique aesthetics, DALL-E 3 for quick turnaround.
Mix Client Work: Use both strategically
Artistic projects may benefit from Midjourney; business graphics often work better with DALL-E 3.
Beginner Just Starting Out: DALL-E 3
Works in any language, included with ChatGPT Plus, minimal learning curve. The best starting point.
Prompt Tips for Each Platform
Writing effective prompts is crucial for high-quality AI images. Here are tips for each platform:
Midjourney Prompt Tips
- * Use English: English prompts generally produce better results
- * Specify style: "realistic," "anime," "watercolor," etc.
- * Set aspect ratio: "--ar 16:9" or "--ar 1:1"
- * Use version flag: "--v 6" for the latest version
- * Negative prompts: "--no text" to exclude text
Example: Japanese garden, cherry blossom, anime style, pastel colors --ar 3:4 --v 6
DALL-E 3 Prompt Tips
- * Any language works: Just describe what you want naturally
- * Be detailed: Describe scene, mood, colors specifically
- * Iterate conversationally: Ask for adjustments like "make it brighter"
- * Specify style: "illustration style," "photo-realistic," etc.
- * Easy refinement: Point out what to change and ChatGPT adjusts
Example: Create a serene Japanese garden with cherry blossoms in pastel anime style, vertical composition.
How to Earn Money with AI Image Generation
There are several ways to monetize AI-generated images. Here are the main methods and estimated earnings:
1. Stock Photo Sales
Upload generated images to stock photo sites. Once uploaded, you earn whenever someone downloads.
Platforms
- * Adobe Stock (accepts AI)
- * Shutterstock (with conditions)
- * iStock by Getty Images
Earnings Potential
- * Per download: $0.25-$5+
- * 100-500 uploads may yield $100-500/month
- * Passive income potential over time
2. Freelance Client Work
Take on projects through freelance platforms to create custom images for clients.
Project Types
- * Blog featured images
- * Social media graphics
- * E-book covers
- * YouTube thumbnails
Pricing
- * $5-30+ per image
- * Batch pricing: $50-100+ for sets
- * Recurring clients = stable income
3. Prompt Sales
Sell your effective prompts on marketplace platforms.
Tips for Selling Prompts
- * Create reproducible prompts
- * Include multiple sample images
- * Provide clear usage instructions
- * Price range: $2-10 per prompt
Frequently Asked Questions
Can complete beginners earn money with AI image generation?
Yes, but practice is needed. Start with DALL-E 3 to learn the basics, then develop your prompting skills. With 1-2 weeks of practice, you can start taking on client projects. Focus on building skills before expecting income.
Should I subscribe to both Midjourney and DALL-E?
Start with one. For beginners, DALL-E 3 (ChatGPT Plus at $20/month) is recommended because it works in any language and is very user-friendly. Add Midjourney later if you need more artistic output.
Can AI-generated images be sold on stock photo sites?
It depends on the site. Adobe Stock accepts AI-generated images. Always check each platform's current policies and tag images as AI-generated where required.
What about copyright for AI-generated images?
Copyright for AI-generated images is still evolving legally. Generally, using commercial plans and avoiding copying existing artists' styles reduces risk. Stay updated on legal developments and platform policies.
Can I use these tools on mobile?
DALL-E 3 works through the ChatGPT app on mobile devices. Midjourney has some mobile support, but detailed adjustments are easier on desktop. For serious work, a computer is recommended.
Conclusion: Our Recommendation
Start with DALL-E 3, Add Midjourney When Needed
Key Point: No need to subscribe to both from the start. Master DALL-E 3 first, then add Midjourney when your work requires it. Using both expands your capabilities significantly.
Start with DALL-E 3 Today
ChatGPT Plus gives you text generation and image generation in one package.
Perfect for boosting your side hustle productivity.