Question 1

Which AI image generator is cheapest?

Accepted Answer

Stable Diffusion API (via Replicate or self-hosted) is dramatically cheapest at $0.002–$0.006 per image — 10–20× cheaper than DALL-E 3 and 5–10× cheaper than Midjourney. Midjourney's $10–$60/month plans include 200–unlimited fast generations, making it cost-effective for moderate volume. DALL-E 3 is the most expensive on a per-image basis but offers the deepest ChatGPT integration and most accurate prompt following.

Question 2

What is the quality difference between these AI image tools?

Accepted Answer

Quality comparison (as of 2025): Midjourney v7 produces the most aesthetically pleasing, painterly images favored by designers and artists. DALL-E 3 is best at literal prompt accuracy — when you need 'a red car on the left and a blue bicycle on the right,' DALL-E follows instructions most faithfully. Stable Diffusion SDXL/Flux is rapidly closing the quality gap at 1/10th the cost and offers most customization through fine-tuning and ControlNet.

Question 3

What are the copyright implications of AI-generated images?

Accepted Answer

Copyright in AI images is legally unsettled (as of 2025). US Copyright Office position: AI-generated images without human creative authorship are not copyrightable. However, AI images generated by a human with significant creative direction (detailed prompts, post-processing, selection) may have copyright protection for those human elements. For commercial use: Midjourney Pro plan includes commercial rights. DALL-E images are licensed for commercial use per OpenAI's terms. Check each provider's commercial license before using for client work.

Question 4

How many revisions do you typically need per final AI image?

Accepted Answer

Industry data suggests: Simple product images: 1–2 generations per final image. Conceptual/artistic images: 3–5 generations per final image (iterating on prompts). Complex scenes with specific requirements: 5–10+ generations. Character consistency across images: 10–30+ (without tools like Midjourney's reference feature). Factor revision count into your budget — many teams budget 3–5× the cost of a single generation for the actual final image delivered.

Question 5

Is self-hosting Stable Diffusion worth it for cost savings?

Accepted Answer

At scale, yes. A consumer GPU (RTX 4090, ~$1,500) can generate 50–200 images per minute at near-zero marginal cost (just electricity). Break-even vs. API: at 5,000 images/month at $0.004 each ($20/month), self-hosting breaks even in 6+ years — not worth it. At 100,000 images/month ($400/month), self-hosting breaks even in under 4 months. Self-host threshold: approximately 30,000–50,000 images/month in most cost scenarios.

AI Image Generation Cost Calculator — DALL-E vs Midjourney vs Stable Diffusion

Frequently Asked Questions

From the Blog