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DALL-E Pricing 2026

OpenAI's AI image generator — via ChatGPT or API

Paid 4.2/5

Pros

  • + Seamlessly integrated with ChatGPT
  • + Excellent prompt following and text rendering
  • + API pricing is competitive ($0.04/image for DALL-E 3)
  • + ChatGPT Free users get limited daily access

Cons

  • - Not available as a standalone product
  • - Requires ChatGPT subscription or API setup
  • - Less artistic control than Midjourney
  • - Image generation limits on ChatGPT Plus (~50/3hrs)

DALL-E Pricing Plans

All prices in USD. Last verified 2026-03-10.

Most Popular

Via ChatGPT Plus

$20 /mo
Images ~50 per 3 hours
Access Via ChatGPT only
  • DALL-E 4 via ChatGPT
  • ~50 images per 3 hours
  • Natural language prompting
  • Image editing and variations
  • Integrated with text conversation
  • No API setup required
Get ChatGPT Plus

Via ChatGPT Pro

$200 /mo
Images Unlimited
  • Unlimited image generation
  • GPT Image 1 access
  • Maximum quality and speed
  • All ChatGPT Pro features included
  • Priority access
Get ChatGPT Pro

API — DALL-E 3

Free
Standard $0.04/image
HD $0.08-0.12/image
  • Standard 1024×1024: $0.04/image
  • HD 1024×1024: $0.08/image
  • HD 1024×1792: $0.12/image
  • Programmatic access
  • Batch processing support
View API Docs

API — GPT Image 1

Free
Low ~$0.011/image
High ~$0.167/image
  • Low quality: ~$0.011/image
  • Medium quality: ~$0.042/image
  • High quality: ~$0.167/image
  • Token-based pricing ($5/1M in, $40/1M out)
  • Best image quality available
View API Docs

API — GPT Image 1 Mini

Free
Low ~$0.005/image
  • Low quality: ~$0.005/image
  • 50-70% cheaper than GPT Image 1
  • Good for high-volume use cases
  • Batch API available (50% savings)
View API Docs

DALL-E is accessed via ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo, ~50 images/3hrs), ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo, unlimited), or API ($0.005-0.167/image depending on model and quality). GPT Image 1 Mini is the cheapest at $0.005/image. Batch API saves 50%. New API users get $5 free credits.

Hidden Fees & Extra Costs

Watch out for these additional costs not shown on the pricing page.

Hidden Fees & Extra Costs

  • ChatGPT Subscription Required

    DALL-E is not available as a standalone product — you need ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) or API access

  • API Token Costs

    GPT Image 1 uses token-based pricing — costs vary by resolution and quality level

Price Change History

Track how DALL-E's pricing has evolved over time.

Plans Restructured 2023-10-01

DALL-E 3 launched with integration into ChatGPT Plus

Plans Restructured 2025-04-01

GPT Image 1 launched with token-based API pricing; DALL-E 4 integrated into ChatGPT

Our Verdict

DALL-E's biggest advantage is its seamless integration with ChatGPT — no separate app or workflow needed. Image quality is excellent, especially with GPT Image 1. However, it's not a standalone product: you need ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo) or API access. For dedicated image generation, Midjourney still produces more consistently artistic results.

Free Alternatives to DALL-E

C

Canva

Freemium

See all free alternatives to DALL-E →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does DALL-E cost?

DALL-E plans start at $20/month. DALL-E is accessed via ChatGPT Plus ($20/mo, ~50 images/3hrs), ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo, unlimited), or API ($0.005-0.167/image depending on model and quality). GPT Image 1 Mini is the cheapest at $0.005/image. Batch API saves 50%. New API users get $5 free credits.

Does DALL-E have a free plan?

No, DALL-E does not offer a free plan or free trial.

What are some free alternatives to DALL-E?

Free alternatives to DALL-E include Canva.

Visit DALL-E Official Pricing Page

Pricing data last verified on 2026-03-10. Prices may have changed since. Always check the official pricing page for the most current information.