image generation
design
DALL-E vs Runway
A detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose.
DALL-E
OpenAI's image generation model accessible via ChatGPT and API
7.5Very Good
Runway
Professional AI video and image generation platform used by filmmakers, designers, and creative studios
7.5Very Good
Our Verdict
It's a close call
DALL-E (7.5) and Runway (7.5) are virtually tied. Your best pick depends on your specific needs and budget.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DALL-E | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| API Access | ||
| Plugins / Extensions | ||
| Image Generation | ||
| Code Execution | ||
| File Upload | ||
| Web Search | ||
| Max Context Window | N/A | N/A |
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | DALL-E | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 Included with ChatGPT Plus subscription | Free 125 credits one-time, watermarked exports |
| API Pay-as-you-go | Free $0.04 per standard image via API | $15 625 credits/month, no watermark, upscaling |
| Pro | — | $35 2250 credits/month, 4K export, custom AI training |
| Unlimited | — | $95 Unlimited generations, priority GPU access |
Score Breakdown
| Dimension | DALL-E | Runway |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9.0 | 7.0 |
| Features | 7.0 | 9.0 |
| Value for Money | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Support | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 | 7.5 |
Pros & Cons
DALL-E
Pros
- +Seamlessly integrated into ChatGPT Plus subscription
- +Excellent at understanding natural language prompts
- +Strong API access for developers building image apps
- +Good at realistic and photographic styles
Cons
- −Image quality not as artistic as Midjourney
- −Limited control over fine-grained image details
- −API costs add up at scale
Runway
Pros
- +Industry-leading AI video generation (Gen-3 Alpha model)
- +Comprehensive creative suite: inpainting, background removal, motion tracking
- +Trusted by professional studios and filmmakers
- +API available for developers building video products
Cons
- −Credits deplete quickly on video generation tasks
- −Free tier is one-time credits, not monthly
- −Steep learning curve for advanced features