DALL-E: What it is, what it can do, and when to use it

# DALL-E: What it is, what it can do, and when to use it (2026)

You need an image for a presentation, a social media post, or a marketing campaign — but hiring a photographer or spending hours searching stock photo databases is not an option. DALL-E is OpenAI's AI image generator that allows you to create a professional image in seconds based on a text description. Type what you want, and you get it. But there’s something important to know before you start: DALL-E 3 will officially be phased out on May 12, 2026 and replaced by GPT Image — the new standard from OpenAI. In this article, we explain what DALL-E does, how to use it now, and what the successor means for you.

What is DALL-E?

DALL-E is the name for the series of AI image generators from OpenAI — the company behind ChatGPT. The name is a nod to Salvador Dalí and the Pixar robot WALL-E. The third generation (DALL-E 3) is known for its accurate interpretation of text prompts: you describe a scene, and the AI creates it — including text in the image, which has long been a weak point in other tools.

As of April 2026, OpenAI has replaced DALL-E 3 with GPT Image (gpt-image-2), launched on April 21, 2026. This model has native reasoning abilities, 2K resolution as standard, and nearly perfect accuracy for text in images. If you use ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT automatically generates with GPT Image — you hardly notice the switch.

Who is DALL-E / GPT Image for?

Marketers and communication professionals who need visuals quickly for content without having to involve a designer each time.

Freelancers and entrepreneurs who want to enrich a blog or social media feed with original images without a stock photo subscription.

Presentation creators looking for a unique conceptual image that perfectly fits their message — no more generic stock photos.

What can you do with it? (concrete examples)

Example 1: social media image

> What you type: "A cheerful workspace with a laptop, coffee, and plants, in soft pastel colors, flat lay style, light pink background"

> What you get back: A photorealistic overhead shot of a tidy desk — ready for Instagram or LinkedIn.

Example 2: blog illustration

> What you type: "An abstract image of a human brain connected with digital circuits, modern and business-like, blue-white color scheme"

> What you get back: A professional illustration that you can place directly above an AI blog post.

Example 3: presentation background

> What you type: "Minimalistic mountain landscape at sunrise, calm atmosphere, for a business presentation background, horizontal format"

> What you get back: A calm, professional landscape image in 16:9 format.

Example 4: visualizing a concept

> What you type: "A robot friendly writing a shopping list on a whiteboard, cartoon style, warm light"

> What you get back: An illustration that visually represents an AI assistant concept for a pitch or blog post.

Free vs paid

| | Free (Bing Image Creator) | ChatGPT Plus (€23/month) |

|---|---|---|

| Model | DALL-E 3 + GPT-4o | GPT Image (latest model) |

| Images per day | 15 fast, then slower | No strict daily limit |

| Resolution | Standard | 2K standard, 4K via API |

| Commercial rights | Yes (Microsoft terms) | Yes (OpenAI terms) |

| Text in images | Good | Excellent (99% accurate) |

| Refining / editing | Limited | Yes (via ChatGPT follow-up questions) |

| Ideal for | Occasional use, hobbyists | Regular professional users |

Free option: Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator (via bing.com/images/create or Copilot) uses DALL-E 3 and is completely free. You get 15 fast generations per day; after that, it takes a bit longer but remains free. For occasional images, this is more than enough.

Paid via ChatGPT Plus: For €23 per month (including VAT in the Netherlands), you get ChatGPT Plus with access to GPT Image, the latest model. This is the better choice if you create images daily, need higher resolution, or want to include text in your images.

How to get started? (step by step)

Start for free via Bing:

• Go to bing.com/images/create
• Log in with your Microsoft account (or create one — free)
• Type your description in the text field and click "Create"
• Download your image — you have the rights

Via ChatGPT Plus:

• Go to chatgpt.com and upgrade to Plus (€23/month)
• Start a new conversation and type your prompt: "Create an image of..."
• ChatGPT automatically generates with GPT Image
• Refine with follow-up questions ("make it warmer in color", "add text: 'AI Masterclass'", "adjust the composition")

Honest assessment

Strengths of DALL-E / GPT Image:

• Most accurate prompt interpretation of all mainstream AI image generators
• Excellent at displaying text in images (logos, quotes, slides)
• Free access via Bing for occasional use — no account needed
• Seamlessly integrated into ChatGPT — no separate tool or interface
• Full commercial usage rights included

Weaknesses:

• Artistic style is weaker than Midjourney — for truly spectacular, artistic images, Midjourney consistently wins
• Less style control — you cannot upload your own style reference photo as with some other tools
• DALL-E 3 is nearing its end — on May 12, 2026, it will be phased out; API users must adjust their integrations (ChatGPT users will notice nothing)
• No dedicated image generator interface — you always work via ChatGPT or Bing, not through a platform focused on image creators

Best alternative if DALL-E / GPT Image doesn’t fit:

• Midjourney (from $10/month, approx. €9) for artistic, visually impressive images — but works via Discord
• Adobe Firefly (free limited / €11 per month) if you need 100% commercially safe images for client work or advertisements

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is DALL-E free to use?

Yes. Through Microsoft Bing Image Creator, you can generate images for free with DALL-E 3 — up to 15 fast generations per day, then slower but still free. For the latest model from OpenAI (GPT Image), you need ChatGPT Plus for €23 per month.

DALL-E is being phased out — should I switch to something else?

Only if you are using the API directly. For regular users, nothing visible changes: ChatGPT automatically switches to GPT Image, the successor model. The quality even improves. Bing Image Creator continues to work as usual. Developers integrating via the OpenAI API must adjust their code from `dall-e-3` to `gpt-image-2` before May 12, 2026.

What is the difference between DALL-E and Midjourney?

DALL-E (and GPT Image) is stronger in accurately following detailed text prompts and placing text in images. Midjourney typically produces more beautiful, artistic images but requires more expertise in formulating prompts and works only via Discord. For business content with text, DALL-E wins; for creative, visually striking campaigns, Midjourney is the stronger choice.

Can I use DALL-E images commercially?

Yes. OpenAI grants you full ownership rights to images generated via ChatGPT Plus. For Bing Image Creator, Microsoft’s terms of use apply — commercial use is allowed. Always check the current terms on the respective website, as they may change.