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Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

DALL·E 3 vs FLUX.1 [dev]

Preferred for text to image: Too close to call · Newest: FLUX.1 [dev] · Image editing: Neither edits images. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. OpenAI

    DALL·E 3

    Released Nov 6, 2023

    • Text to image
    • Arena967
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove DALL·E 3

  2. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX.1 [dev]

    Released Aug 1, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena969
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX.1 [dev]

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01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • Preferred for text to imageToo close to callDALL·E 3 967 (#79) · FLUX.1 [dev] 969 (#78) — blind human votes
  • NewestFLUX.1 [dev]DALL·E 3 Nov 6, 2023 · FLUX.1 [dev] Aug 1, 2024
  • Widest inputsSame inputsDALL·E 3: Text prompts · FLUX.1 [dev]: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: DALL·E 3 no · FLUX.1 [dev] no
  • Self-hostingFLUX.1 [dev]Downloadable weights (FLUX.1 [dev] Non-Commercial License)
  • Most API hostsSame reachDALL·E 3: 1 · FLUX.1 [dev]: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

DALL·E 3 vs FLUX.1 [dev] specifications side by side
SpecificationDALL·E 3OpenAIFLUX.1 [dev]Black Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better967 ±4#79 of 82 · 238,731 votes969 ±4#78 of 82 · 49,221 votes (best)
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryOpenFLUX.1 [dev] Non-Commercial License
API hosts11
ReleasedNov 6, 2023Aug 1, 2024
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, DALL·E 3 or FLUX.1 [dev]?

For text to image, voters rate them about the same (DALL·E 3 967 (#79) · FLUX.1 [dev] 969 (#78)). Arena scores come from blind, side-by-side human votes on the same prompts; when the gap is inside both models’ error margins we call it a tie. Test your own prompts before you commit.

What is the difference between DALL·E 3 and FLUX.1 [dev]?

DALL·E 3 is an image model from OpenAI (Nov 6, 2023), taking text prompts and producing images. FLUX.1 [dev] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Aug 1, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

DALL·E 3 Nov 6, 2023; FLUX.1 [dev] Aug 1, 2024.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: DALL·E 3 no; FLUX.1 [dev] no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

FLUX.1 [dev]. Downloadable weights (FLUX.1 [dev] Non-Commercial License).

04 — Keep comparing

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