Side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right tool for your business
Our Verdict: Flux wins by default — DALL-E was retired May 12, 2026 (successor: gpt-image-2)
Important update: OpenAI shut down DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 on May 12, 2026, so DALL-E can no longer be adopted — Flux wins this matchup by default. OpenAI's current image model is gpt-image-2, priced per token ($8/1M input + $30/1M output) rather than per image. If you want a managed OpenAI API, evaluate gpt-image-2; if image quality and customization matter more than convenience, Flux remains the better model. The comparison below is preserved for historical context.
No longer available — new integrations should use gpt-image-2
Discontinued May 12, 2026 — successor gpt-image-2: $8/1M input + $30/1M output tokens (API)
beginner
N/A (retired)
Teams that need maximum image quality with customization options
Free (self-hosted) / $0.003-0.05 per image (API providers)
intermediate
2-5 days
| Feature | DALL-E | Flux |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Retired May 2026 (successor: gpt-image-2) | Active |
| Image quality | Was good (illustrative style) | Excellent (photorealistic) |
| Text rendering | Was good | Best-in-class |
| API simplicity | Via successor gpt-image-2 (OpenAI SDK) | Varies by provider |
| Self-hosting | No | Yes (GPU required) |
| Fine-tuning | No | Yes (LoRA, DreamBooth) |
| Content safety | Was built-in (strict) | None (add your own) |
| Cost | Successor: $8/1M in + $30/1M out tokens | $0.003-0.05/image (or free self-hosted) |
DALL-E is retired, but its role — one SDK, one billing account, a managed OpenAI API — passed to gpt-image-2.
Flux Pro's photorealism was leagues ahead of DALL-E 3, and fine-tuning with LoRA lets you match specific photography styles.
DALL-E can no longer be adopted — of the two tools compared here, only Flux is still available.
Self-hosted Flux with custom LoRA models generates in the studio's art style at $0.003/image, with no per-token API bill.
We implement both options. Tell us your use case and we'll recommend the right fit — then set it up for you.
No. OpenAI shut down dall-e-2 and dall-e-3 on May 12, 2026. OpenAI's current image model is gpt-image-2, billed per token ($8 per 1M input + $30 per 1M output), with gpt-image-1.5, gpt-image-1, and gpt-image-1-mini also available. Existing DALL-E integrations need to migrate.
Self-hosted on an A100 GPU: ~$1.50/hour, generating roughly 400-600 images/hour with Schnell = $0.003/image. Via API providers like Replicate or fal.ai: $0.003-0.05 per image depending on model and resolution. At 10,000 images/month, Flux costs $30-500 — OpenAI's gpt-image-2 alternative bills per token instead, so its cost depends on prompt and output size.
Flux Schnell: Yes, Apache 2.0 license allows full commercial use. Flux Dev: No, it's for research and non-commercial use only. Flux Pro: Yes, via API with commercial license from Black Forest Labs. Always check the specific model variant's license.
Flux, especially for photorealistic product shots. DALL-E 3 tended toward an illustrative style that looked AI-generated. Flux with a fine-tuned LoRA on product photography produces images that genuinely look like studio shots.
More head-to-head matchups for the tools in this comparison
Midjourney wins by default — DALL-E was retired May 12, 2026 (successor: gpt-image-2)
Stable Diffusion wins by default — DALL-E was retired May 12, 2026 (successor: gpt-image-2)
Midjourney for polished aesthetics, Flux for speed and customization
Ready?
Need help choosing? Our AI consultants will evaluate your specific needs and recommend the right tools — then implement them for you.
Aria picks up instantly · 24/7 · Free assessment · 30-day guarantee
