ChatGPT
Perplexity
Claude
Gemini
ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Grok are three of the biggest names in AI image creation. All three changed in 2026, and one of them is gone completely.
This guide covers where each one stands today, what it is good at, and the easiest way to use the ones that are still worth your time.
Key takeaways
- DALL·E 2 and DALL·E 3 were retired on May 12, 2026.
- GPT Image 2 replaced DALL·E and is now the flagship OpenAI image model to use.
- Grok Imagine makes very realistic photos and can turn them into video.
- ChatGPT and Grok both limit how many images you can make per day.
- OpenArt gives you GPT Image 2 and Grok Imagine in one place, plus other models.
First, what changed in 2026
ChatGPT and Grok are apps. DALL·E and GPT Image 2 are models that make the pictures. That difference is why this comparison confuses people.
OpenAI announced in November 2025 that DALL·E was going away. Both DALL·E 2 and DALL·E 3 were switched off on May 12, 2026.
The replacement is GPT Image 2, which OpenAI launched on April 21, 2026. So the real comparison now is GPT Image 2 against Grok Imagine.
ChatGPT and GPT Image 2
GPT Image 2 is the strongest all-round image model right now. It follows instructions closely, so if you ask for five objects you usually get five objects.
Its biggest jump is text inside pictures. Older models spelled words wrong on posters and signs, and GPT Image 2 gets them right almost every time. It also makes pictures at 2K, with 4K available.
The catch is access. A free ChatGPT account only gets a few pictures per day, and ChatGPT Plus costs $20 a month.
You can use GPT Image 2 on OpenArt instead, and you get the other top models in the same account. That includes Nano Banana Pro, Seedream 5.0 Pro, Recraft V4, and Grok Imagine, so you are never stuck with one model's weak spots.
DALL·E
DALL·E 3 was the model that made ChatGPT image generation popular. You could describe a picture in plain English and get something clean and well composed without learning any special prompt tricks.
It was never the sharpest model, though. Text came out misspelled, faces got strange when you asked for a group of people, and it refused a lot of normal requests.
There is no way to use DALL·E anymore, so GPT Image 2 is the answer if you liked how DALL·E worked. It does the same job much better.
On OpenArt's AI image generator, GPT Image 2 is not just for making new pictures. You can pick it inside Edit Image to change part of a photo, Expand Image to widen a shot, Image Variations to get up to 8 versions at once, and Multi-View to get nine angles of one subject.
Grok
Grok makes the most realistic looking people of the three. Skin, faces, and lighting come out closer to a real camera photo, and it generates fast.
Its weak spot is following directions. Grok often ignores parts of your prompt, including the aspect ratio you asked for, so you may need a few tries.
Access got harder too. xAI removed the free image tier on March 19, 2026, so you now need a paid X or SuperGrok plan to make anything.
Grok Imagine is available on OpenArt for both images and video. You can generate a still, edit it with up to 3 reference images, then animate it into a clip with camera moves and sound using the AI video generator.
Which one should you use
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| GPT Image 2 | Following your prompt, text in pictures, clean layouts |
| Grok Imagine | Realistic faces, fast results, turning pictures into video |
| DALL·E | Nothing, it was retired in May 2026 |
Pick GPT Image 2 for most work, especially anything with words in the picture. Pick Grok Imagine when you want a realistic photo or you want to turn that photo into a short video.
The simplest option is not choosing at all. OpenArt runs both models plus editing, upscaling, and video tools in one workspace, and Brand Kit keeps your colors and fonts the same no matter which model you use.
Frequently asked questions
Is DALL·E still available in 2026?
No. OpenAI retired DALL·E 2 and DALL·E 3 on May 12, 2026. GPT Image 2 replaced them in ChatGPT and in the API.
Is Grok better than ChatGPT for making images?
Grok makes more realistic people and works faster. ChatGPT follows your prompt more closely and handles text in pictures much better, so it wins for most jobs.
Can I make AI images for free?
Free ChatGPT accounts get only a few images a day, and free Grok accounts get none since March 2026. OpenArt gives you free credits to try GPT Image 2 and Grok Imagine.