OpenAI Images (GPT Image)
OpenAI Images (GPT Image 1.5) is a per-image developer API with strong prompt following and editing — no subscription or free tier, integrated into apps via API; from about $0.009/image (low) to $0.133 (high).
Verified against: openai.com as of 2026-09-22
Quick verdict: OpenAI Images is the developer pick: GPT Image 1.5 follows detailed instructions and supports editing at clear per-image prices, so it suits products that generate images on demand. Choose it to build image features into your own app. Skip it if you want a ready-made visual tool (use Midjourney/Ideogram/Firefly) or are not comfortable wiring up an API; non-technical users reach the same models through ChatGPT.
- Our rating: 4.2/5
- Strongest dimension: Functionality (5/5, research only)
- Weakest dimension: Usability (3/5, research only)
- Pricing: ~$0.009/image (gpt-image-1.5, low, 1024)
- Verification: Research-only pass over official sources, last checked 2026-09-22. Sources: openai.com
OpenAI Images (GPT Image) pricing details
- Paid plans from ~$0.009/image (gpt-image-1.5, low, 1024)
- pay per image / token; no subscription
- gpt-image-1.5 $0.009 / $0.034 / $0.133 (low/med/high, 1024²) · gpt-image-1-mini $0.005 / $0.011 / $0.036
API-only, billed by output (and any input image tokens). At 1024×1024 GPT Image 1.5 is about $0.009 low, $0.034 medium, $0.133 high; the Mini tier is cheaper ($0.005/$0.011/$0.036). Larger sizes and edits cost more; batch API discounts can apply. There is no consumer subscription here — usage is metered through an OpenAI API key.
In our index: API pay-per-image · GPT Image 1.5 $0.009/$0.034/$0.133 (low/med/high) · Mini $0.005/$0.011/$0.036; no subscription
How OpenAI Images (GPT Image) scores across our 6 index dimensions
- Functionality: 5/5 (research only)
- Usability: 3/5 (research only)
- Stability: 4/5 (research only)
- Collaboration: 3/5 (research only)
- Localization: 4/5 (research only)
- Value: 4/5 (research only)
Score rationale: Strong prompt adherence, instruction following and multi-image editing for developers wiring image generation into a product, with predictable per-image pricing and a cheap Mini tier. It is an API, not a click-to-use app, so non-developers get it through ChatGPT or other front-ends; standalone artistic wow factor is Midjourney's. Research sweep.
What OpenAI Images (GPT Image) does well
- Strong prompt following and multi-image editing
- Predictable per-image pricing with a very cheap Mini tier
- Ideal for developers embedding images into a product
Where OpenAI Images (GPT Image) falls short
- API-only — no click-to-use consumer app or free tier
- Requires engineering to integrate; usage is metered
- Standalone artistic wow factor trails Midjourney
How OpenAI Images (GPT Image) compares to other AI Image Generation tools
Our index tracks 5 AI Image Generation tools. OpenAI Images (GPT Image) sits at 4.2/5, with gpt-image-1.5 $0.009 / $0.034 / $0.133 (low/med/high, 1024²) · gpt-image-1-mini $0.005 / $0.011 / $0.036. Here are the 4 closest alternatives we hold pricing and scoring evidence for.
- Midjourney — 4.5/5 · No free plan · $10/mo (Basic)
Midjourney is the image-quality benchmark — a prompt-to-image subscription sold as fast GPU time, with unlimited Relax mode on Standard and up; no free trial, plans from $10/mo. - Ideogram — 4.3/5 · Free plan · $15/mo (Plus, annual)
Ideogram is the text-rendering specialist — words inside images come out legible where other models garble them — with a free slow-credit tier and paid plans from $15/mo annual. - Adobe Firefly — 4.2/5 · Free plan · $9.99/mo (Standard)
Adobe Firefly is the commercially safe, Adobe-ecosystem generator — free daily generations, unlimited standard image features on paid plans, generative credits for premium/video and partner models; Standard $9.99/mo. - Leonardo.AI — 4.1/5 · Free plan · $12/mo (Essential)
Leonardo.AI is a creator-focused image generator with a generous free 150-tokens/day tier and broad game/concept-asset tools; paid plans from $12/mo.
Frequently asked questions about OpenAI Images (GPT Image)
How much does OpenAI Images (GPT Image) cost?
Paid plans from ~$0.009/image (gpt-image-1.5, low, 1024); pay per image / token; no subscription; gpt-image-1.5 $0.009 / $0.034 / $0.133 (low/med/high, 1024²) · gpt-image-1-mini $0.005 / $0.011 / $0.036. Billing detail: API-only, billed by output (and any input image tokens). At 1024×1024 GPT Image 1.5 is about $0.009 low, $0.034 medium, $0.133 high; the Mini tier is cheaper ($0.005/$0.011/$0.036). Larger sizes and edits cost more; batch API discounts can apply. There is no consumer subscription here — usage is metered through an OpenAI API key. Figures verified 2026-09-22.
Does OpenAI Images (GPT Image) have a free plan?
No free plan is listed for OpenAI Images (GPT Image). Paid plans start at ~$0.009/image (gpt-image-1.5, low, 1024).
What is OpenAI Images (GPT Image) rated in our index?
OpenAI Images (GPT Image) sits at 4.2/5 in our index, strongest on functionality (5/5, research only) and weakest on usability (3/5, research only). OpenAI Images is the developer pick: GPT Image 1.5 follows detailed instructions and supports editing at clear per-image prices, so it suits products that generate images on demand. Choose it to build image features into your own app. Skip it if you want a ready-made visual tool (use Midjourney/Ideogram/Firefly) or are not comfortable wiring up an API; non-technical users reach the same models through ChatGPT.
What are the drawbacks of OpenAI Images (GPT Image)?
API-only — no click-to-use consumer app or free tier Requires engineering to integrate; usage is metered Standalone artistic wow factor trails Midjourney.
What does OpenAI Images (GPT Image) do well?
Strong prompt following and multi-image editing Predictable per-image pricing with a very cheap Mini tier Ideal for developers embedding images into a product.
How was OpenAI Images (GPT Image) verified?
Research-only pass over official sources, last checked 2026-09-22. Sources: openai.com.
What are the alternatives to OpenAI Images (GPT Image)?
We track Midjourney, Ideogram, Leonardo.AI, Adobe Firefly as the closest alternatives in our AI Image Generation index, and 4 head-to-head comparisons against OpenAI Images (GPT Image) are available.