DALL·E / ChatGPT Images 2.0 Review & Rating 2026
OpenAI's image generation is integrated into ChatGPT in 2026 (overall score 8.1/10, verdict Solid): DALL·E is discontinued and replaced by 'ChatGPT Images 2.0' (API model gpt-image-2) — with native reasoning and accurate text in images, right in the chat workflow. Price tier: Free/€ (in all ChatGPT tiers). Best choice for image generation without an extra subscription.
What is DALL·E / ChatGPT Images 2.0?
DALL·E was OpenAI's image generator — but it is discontinued: DALL·E 2 and 3 were shut down on 12.05.2026 and replaced by 'ChatGPT Images 2.0', with the API model gpt-image-2 (since 21.04.2026). It is OpenAI's first image model with 'Thinking'/reasoning and web search during generation. 'DALL·E 3' is no longer current.
Image generation runs right in the ChatGPT workflow — seamless, with strong text/prompt fidelity and no extra subscription. The 'Thinking mode' (web search, 8-image batch, self-check) is available from Plus.
Weekly AI live calls are now embedded across the site.
Every Thursday at 23:00 Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh, the format gives a compact mix of market filtering, practical cases, questions, and clear next steps.
- for founders, teams, and operational decision-makers
- built around real business cases instead of AI theatre
- including a start calendar and a fixed kickoff series
Next session: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 23:00 · Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh. The series then continues on a weekly rhythm.
Profile & rating
Consistent rating schema (performance 40% · value 25% · ease of use 20% · GDPR 15%). All values 0–10; verified 5 July 2026, the vendor's primary source is authoritative.
| Criterion | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.1 / 10 |
| Performance / quality (40%) | 8.3 / 10 |
| Value for money (25%) | 8.5 / 10 |
| Ease of use (20%) | 9.0 / 10 |
| GDPR / EU fit (15%) | 6.0 / 10 |
| Verdict | Solid |
| Price tier | Free / € |
| Best for | Image generation in chat, accurate text in images |
| Best alternative | Midjourney — best aesthetics; Flux — open |
| As of | 5 July 2026, vendor page authoritative |
3 pros
The three strongest arguments for the tool.
- Seamless in ChatGPT, native reasoning
- Strong text and prompt fidelity
- No extra subscription — in all ChatGPT tiers
3 cons
The three most important limitations — fair and evidence-based.
- Not the top aesthetics (Midjourney leads)
- No standalone control (only in ChatGPT)
- 'Thinking mode' only from Plus
Pricing
DALL·E discontinued (12.05.2026); image generation in all ChatGPT tiers, Thinking mode from Plus $20. API gpt-image-2 ~$0.006–0.211/image (low–high, 1024²). As of July 2026, vendor page authoritative. Source: developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation · openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-0/.
| Plan | Price/month | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| In ChatGPT Free | $0 | Image generation in chat (basic) |
| In ChatGPT Plus | $20 | Thinking mode (web search, 8-image batch, self-check) |
| API gpt-image-2 | ~$0.006–0.211/image | Developers (1024², low–high) |
Best alternative & matching stack
The obvious alternative, the stack where the tool combines best, and the category comparison table.
Best alternative: Midjourney
For the best artistic/photorealistic image aesthetics, Midjourney is the choice. For open, self-hostable image generation, Flux (FLUX.2) is the alternative.
Combines well with: Marketing stack
ChatGPT Images 2.0 is the fast image layer of the marketing stack — visuals right in the chat workflow, while specialised tools contribute top aesthetics and video/voiceover.
All AI Image Generation tools compared
Back to the category comparison table with score, verdict and price for every tool.
Head-to-head comparisons with this tool
This tool in a direct "X vs Y" comparison — score by score, with a clear choose-X-when recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Does DALL·E still exist?
No. DALL·E 2 and 3 were shut down on 12 May 2026 and replaced by ChatGPT Images 2.0; the API model is now gpt-image-2 (since 21 April 2026, with 'Thinking'/reasoning and web search during generation). Old lists citing 'DALL·E 3' as current are outdated. As of 5 July 2026.
How much does image generation in ChatGPT cost?
Image generation is included in all ChatGPT tiers (including Free). The 'Thinking mode' with web search, 8-image batch and self-check is available from Plus ($20). Via the API, gpt-image-2 costs about $0.006–0.211/image (low–high, 1024²). Prices as of July 2026, source developers.openai.com.
ChatGPT Images or Midjourney — which is better?
ChatGPT Images 2.0 (8.1/10) is strongest for image generation right in chat with accurate text in images and native reasoning. Midjourney (8.6/10) leads on pure image aesthetics. For a seamless workflow without an extra subscription ChatGPT Images, for maximum aesthetics Midjourney. As of 5 July 2026.
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