Dall-E Vs. Midjourney – Which Image Generator Reigns Supreme?

The graphic design landscape underwent a tectonic shift with the introduction of OpenAI's DALL·E 1, which became a sensation in January 2021. Right from graphic designers who are speeding up the ideation process, to interior designers using AI to draw inspiration, to artists employing AI image generators to create art, we've seen this technology penetrate almost everywhere on the internet.

In fact, Midjourney V1 was introduced in July 2022, followed swiftly by the release of V6 in December 2023, showcasing the rapid pace of innovation. Both models have garnered significant attention.

Now, in 2024, discussions about DALL·E 3 and Midjourney V6 dominate comment sections across social media platforms and YouTube. In light of this, we aim to simplify the choice for you.

In this article, we will compare the two on multiple parameters, including their performance in generating different types of images, their user-friendliness, and their overall pros and cons. Let's get started.

Image Generation Capabilities: DALL-E Vs Midjourney  

Since we are comparing the two AI image generator stalwarts, it is necessary that we dig deeper into their performance when it comes to different types of images:

Photorealistic Images

This is the most common use case for AI image generators, and based on the multitude of Reddit threads and YouTube videos with real-time demonstrations, we came to the conclusion that DALL·E 3 has a slight edge. However, this preference isn't because DALL·E 3's generation capabilities are better than that of Midjourney V6; rather, it is largely due to its ability to understand the context better than the latter. 

To put this to the test, we used the prompt, “Generate a photorealistic image of a street performer, a middle-aged black male playing a saxophone on a busy city sidewalk. The setting should be an urban street with pedestrians, tall buildings, and streetlights. The performer should have an expression of deep concentration and passion for his music.”

Here's what DALL-E 3 returned:

This image wasn't photorealistic from any angle. However, it did adhere to the prompt in other respects. Although the generated image was good in terms of the lighting and textures, the absence of streetlights made it clear that the image didn't fully meet our criteria. Nonetheless, most online users express the opposite opinion, prompting us to give it the benefit of the doubt. For example, here's the most photorealistic image a Reddit user (u/Algoartist) was able to generate:

Midjourney V6, while still delivering an impressive result, generated an image that leaned more toward a cinematic, stylized aesthetic:

We loved its artistic composition, and it adhered to our prompt with far more accuracy. And while it doesn't appear photorealistic, it proved to be better than what Dall-E returned.

Artistic and Stylized Images

Based on user opinions, Midjourney V6 outperforms others in generating artistic and stylized images by offering fine-grained control over the image generation process. This control allows users to adjust aspect ratios, select specific algorithms, and explore a wide range of artistic styles, making it a preferable choice for these tasks. Here's an example of the creative control available, demonstrated through an older picture we generated using Midjourney V5.2:

Prompt: Joyful, hyper-realistic image of a Golden Retriever puppy playfully frolicking; capturing the shimmer of its golden fur, the twinkle in its eyes, and the dynamic motion, all through the lens of a professional camera, –ar 1:1 –v 5.2 –style raw

Here's another prompt that we used to generate an image through Midjourney: “Create an epic anime artwork of a wizard atop a mountain at night, casting a cosmic spell that says ‘Stable Diffusion 3' into the dark sky.”

While it does look beautiful, it unfortunately omitted mention of ‘Stable Diffusion 3,' which was a disappointment. Regardless, the composition and overall aesthetic felt amazing, though its fidelity to the true anime art style is questionable.

Here's what DALL-E 3 returned:

Again, our results contradicted user opinions, and we were able to achieve perfect anime-style art that, in fact, had ‘Stable Diffusion 3' properly embossed in the image (although slightly misspelled). Moreover, the aesthetic also conformed to the anime style.

Seamless Textures and Patterns

Both DALL-E 3 and Midjourney V6 are good at generating seamless textures and patterns, which could be really helpful in a number of domains, such as textile and chinaware designs.

Here's the prompt we used to analyze AI art for this use case: “Create a seamless texture of vintage floral wallpaper. The design should feature detailed, hand-drawn flowers and leaves in pastel colors on a muted background, evoking a classic, elegant style from the early 20th century.” 

And here's Midjourney V6 returned to us:

DALL·E 3 generated this image:

Both tools generated impressive results. Although Midjourney did a great job here, DALL-E 3's output gives a more organic feel and matches our output expectations.

Dall-E Vs. Midjourney: Performance Evaluation

Now that we have gone through our first-hand experience of using the two AI image generators and the opinions of multiple users, let us now evaluate their performance from an objective point of view:

Consistency and Prompt Adherence

When it comes to consistency and executing exactly what you mean (not just what you wrote), DALL-E 3 is the clear winner. Thanks to OpenAI's advanced natural language understanding, it interprets and executes complex, relational prompts with high accuracy. This significantly enhances its reliability for users seeking greater precision and control over the generated images. Hence, DALL-E 3 could be your go-to choice for professional projects or creating specific assets.

On the other hand, Midjourney V6, while capable of producing stunning and visually impressive images, doesn't consistently handle complex scenes or multiple elements. Outputs may vary, sometimes requiring multiple iterations of your prompt to achieve the desired outcome. Nonetheless, this variability can be advantageous when you're in search of serendipitous discoveries and unique, unexpected results that spark creativity.

Click here for an in-depth comparison of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok.

Diversity and Quality of Generated Images

Both DALL-E 3 and Midjurney V6 excel at generating high-quality images across various styles, genres, and subjects. DALL-E 3, however, stands out for its consistency in producing images that align closely with user intent and offering options that meet expectations more precisely.

Midjourney V6, on the other hand, shines in delivering greater diversity, especially when user expectations are broader or when users are exploring new ideas. The latest V6 update has enhanced Midjourney's customization and styling capabilities, making it increasingly appealing to artists, designers, and creatives who seek a tool for exploring new aesthetic frontiers.

User-Friendliness and Accessibility

DALL-E benefits from its integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT, which allows conversations to refine prompts, unlike Midjourney's more autonomous approach. This integration facilitates access directly within ChatGPT, enhancing mobile friendliness. Additionally, DALL-E offers the option to create a Custom GPT for repetitive tasks, streamlining the image generation process to make it faster and more user-friendly.

Compared to DALL-E, Midjourney operates through Discord, which may or may not align with your preferences, even though its vibrant community could be a significant advantage. Besides, DALL-E offers integration with other software via Zapier, enhancing its versatility, a feature that complements the API support provided by both AI art generators.

Click here for a list of the best ChatGPT extensions.

Dall-E Vs. Midjourney: The Verdict

Our advice? In most situations, DALL-E 3 will meet your needs, and the best part is, for the $20 price tag, you gain access to all of OpenAI's offerings, including ChatGPT. If you are still not convinced, try the free trial of Midjourney to see if it better fits your requirements. Over time, you'll naturally develop a sense of which tool aligns more closely with your vision and workflow.

Click here to learn all about investing in artificial intelligence (AI).