Generating images with neural networks has become an everyday tool for designers, marketers, and content creators. Three main approaches — the closed Midjourney service, the generator inside ChatGPT (GPT Image, the successor to DALL-E), and the open models of the Stable Diffusion and FLUX families — still define the market, but the models themselves have changed over the year. We've updated the comparison for October 2026: GPT Image 1.5 has given way to GPT Image 1.5, and in the open camp the leader has become FLUX 2. Let's figure out which of these suits which tasks.
Overview of Each Model
Midjourney v7
Midjourney started as a Discord bot, but now has a full-fledged web interface. Version 7 came out in early 2026 and received significant improvements in photorealism and handling text in images.
Key features:
- Best photorealism among all models
- Excellent understanding of artistic styles
- Built-in editor for inpainting and outpainting
- Works via web interface and Discord
GPT Image 1.5 (inside ChatGPT, formerly DALL-E)
GPT Image 1.5 is OpenAI's current generator, which replaced GPT Image 1.5 inside ChatGPT. The DALL-E name has disappeared from the interface, but the essence is the same: you describe an image in free form right in the chat, and the model understands the dialogue context, edits images based on instructions, and handles text and infographics excellently.
Key features:
- Deep integration with ChatGPT
- Best understanding of complex natural-language prompts
- Good handling of text in images
- Built-in safety filters
Stable Diffusion and FLUX (open models)
The open camp is the only one of this trio that can be run locally on your own computer with full control over the process. Classic SDXL remains the most "extension-laden" model, while FLUX 2 Dev from Black Forest Labs — the team that created the original Stable Diffusion — leads in quality. For practical purposes, this is one ecosystem: the same tools (ComfyUI, Automatic1111), the same fine-tuning principles.
Key features:
- Fully open-source
- Runs locally without the internet
- Huge ecosystem of extensions and models
- Maximum configuration flexibility
Image Quality
Photorealism
Midjourney v7 leads in photorealism. Images are practically indistinguishable from real photographs, especially portraits and landscapes. GPT Image 1.5 creates realistic images, but a trained eye can spot artifacts. Stable Diffusion with the right models (e.g., RealVisXL) approaches Midjourney but requires configuration.
Illustrations and Art
For artistic styles, all three models show excellent results. Midjourney is especially good at fantasy and concept art. GPT Image 1.5 handles cartoon-style illustrations beautifully. Stable Diffusion with custom models can reproduce virtually any style.
Text in Images
Generating text in images was long a weak spot for all models. The situation in 2026:
- GPT Image 1.5: best at text generation — rarely makes spelling errors
- Midjourney v7: significantly improved, but still makes mistakes in long texts
- Stable Diffusion: good results can be achieved via the ControlNet module, but this requires additional configuration
Control Over Generation
Parameters and Settings
| Parameter | Midjourney | GPT Image 1.5 | Stable Diffusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Seed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Negative prompts | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stylization | Slider | Via prompt | Full control |
| Inpainting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ControlNet | No | No | Yes |
| Img2Img | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| LoRA / Fine-tuning | No | No | Yes |
Stable Diffusion is the absolute champion of control. ControlNet lets you control pose, depth, and outlines. LoRA models make it possible to train a model on a specific style or character.
Midjourney offers enough parameters for most tasks. GPT Image 1.5 deliberately limits control for the sake of ease of use.
Pricing
Midjourney
- Basic: $10/mo — 200 generations
- Standard: $30/mo — 900 generations + Relax mode
- Pro: $60/mo — 1800 generations + Stealth mode
- Mega: $120/mo — 3600 generations
GPT Image 1.5
- Free: limited number of generations in ChatGPT Free
- ChatGPT Plus: $20/mo — increased limit
- API: from a few cents per image depending on resolution and quality
Stable Diffusion
- Locally: free (SDXL — from 8 GB VRAM, FLUX 2 — 12–24 GB; you can calculate it in the VRAM calculator)
- Cloud services: from $0.01 per image (RunPod, Replicate)
- Stability AI API: from $0.02 per image
Stable Diffusion wins on price for large volumes — local operation is completely free after purchasing the hardware.
API Access
For developers and automation, API access matters:
GPT Image 1.5 — the simplest API via OpenAI. Good documentation, many SDKs.
Stable Diffusion — a flexible API via Stability AI or your own hosting. You can deploy your own server with full control.
Midjourney — there was no official API until recently, but in 2026 limited API access appeared for commercial clients.
Customization and Training
Training on Your Own Data
- Stable Diffusion: full fine-tuning via LoRA, DreamBooth, Textual Inversion. You can train a model on your brand, products, or style
- Midjourney: no fine-tuning capability
- GPT Image 1.5: no fine-tuning capability
Extensions and Plugins
Stable Diffusion has a huge ecosystem: thousands of custom models on CivitAI, hundreds of extensions for ComfyUI and Automatic1111. This provides virtually limitless possibilities.
Commercial Rights
The copyright question matters for business use:
- Midjourney: commercial use is allowed on paid plans. On Pro and Mega — without attribution
- GPT Image 1.5: full commercial rights to generated images
- Stable Diffusion: the license allows commercial use without restrictions (when run locally)
Comparison Table
| Criterion | Midjourney | GPT Image 1.5 | Stable Diffusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photorealism | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Art styles | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Text in images | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Control | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Simplicity | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Price | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| API | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Customization | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Recommendations by Use Case
For Art and Illustrations
Best choice: Midjourney. Unrivaled quality "out of the box." Ideal for concept art, book illustrations, and fantasy art.
For Marketing and Social Media
Best choice: GPT Image 1.5 via ChatGPT. Ease of use, fast iteration, good handling of text on banners. You can describe an idea in words without knowing special prompts.
For Product Photography
Best choice: Stable Diffusion with custom models. Train a LoRA on your products and generate photos in any scenes and angles.
For Mass Generation
Best choice: Stable Diffusion locally. No limits, no subscriptions — only the cost of electricity.
For Quick Prototypes
Best choice: GPT Image 1.5. Describe it — get it. Minimal entry barrier, maximum speed from idea to image.
Conclusion
The choice between Midjourney, GPT Image 1.5, and Stable Diffusion depends on your priorities. Midjourney is for those who value maximum quality without extra configuration. GPT Image 1.5 is for those who appreciate simplicity and integration with ChatGPT. Stable Diffusion is for those who want full control and are willing to spend time on setup. Many professionals use all three tools for different tasks, and that is perhaps the most sensible approach in 2026.