In recent years, tools using artificial intelligence for generating and transforming images have developed at an extraordinary pace. Recently, transformations of photos into various artistic styles have gained particular popularity, with the currently trendy Studio Ghibli style leading the way. But which of the available AI systems offers the best results? In this article, we will compare four leading tools: ChatGPT (GPT-4o), Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion in terms of their capabilities, ease of use, quality of effects, and accessibility.
ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
Strengths
- Intuitive interface – ability to conduct conversations in natural language
- Flexibility in instructions – understands complex, detailed prompts with multiple conditions
- Availability in web version – doesn’t require installation of additional software
- Resemblance preservation – relatively good at maintaining resemblance of people in photos
- Iterative refinement – possibility of gradually improving the effect through successive instructions
Weaknesses
- Limited control over technical details – less precision in controlling image parameters
- Sometimes poorer reproduction of details – small elements may be simplified or omitted
- Fewer stylization options – some very specific styles may be more difficult to achieve
- Access cost – requires ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise subscription
Ideal Applications
- Transformations of portraits into popular styles (anime, Ghibli, Pixar)
- Transforming photos for less technical people who prefer a simple interface
- Quick experimentation with different styles without the need to learn complicated parameters
Midjourney
Strengths
- Exceptional artistic quality – often considered the tool giving the most “artistic” results
- Excellent style reproduction – perfectly mimics styles of different artists and eras
- Strong user community – easy access to inspiration and tips
- Advanced control of proportions and composition – precise specification of element layout
- Style mixing options – effective combining of different aesthetics
Weaknesses
- Access through Discord – less intuitive for some users
- Prompt syntax – requires learning specific syntax and parameters
- Weaker resemblance preservation – sometimes difficult to maintain resemblance of people in photographs
- Payment model – charges for usage, with limited number of free generations
Ideal Applications
- Transformations of landscapes and scenery into various artistic styles
- Creating high-quality graphics for social media
- Experimenting with unique, non-standard artistic styles
DALL-E (OpenAI)
Strengths
- Easy-to-use interface – intuitive access in web application or through API
- Good content representation – well preserves the general layout and elements of the photo
- Generation speed – short waiting time for results
- Editing capability through interface – tools for simple modification of generated images
- Integration with OpenAI ecosystem – ease of use for people using other OpenAI products
Weaknesses
- Limited control over style – sometimes difficult to achieve very specific effects
- Less artistic character – results may be less “creative” than with Midjourney
- Limitations in generating faces – may have problems with realistic representation of features
- Limit system – restrictions on number of generations depending on the plan
Ideal Applications
- Transformations of products and inanimate objects
- Quick concepts and visualizations
- Commercial applications thanks to clear licensing model
Stable Diffusion
Strengths
- Open source – possibility of local installation and full control
- No costs (with local installation) – free usage on your own hardware
- Enormous customization possibilities – unlimited options for modification through models, extensions, and parameters
- Advanced technical control – precise control over every aspect of the generation process
- Independence from external limitations – no censorship and limits imposed by providers
Weaknesses
- High entry threshold – requires technical knowledge for installation and effective use
- Hardware requirements – needs a sufficiently powerful graphics card
- Interface complexity – numerous options may overwhelm beginners
- Uneven quality – results depend on the models used and configuration skills
Ideal Applications
- Advanced artistic transformations requiring precise control
- Projects requiring processing of many images without limits
- Experimenting with modification and training of custom models
- Niche or specialized applications
Comparison of Transformation Quality in Different Categories
Individual Portraits
- ChatGPT (GPT-4o): ★★★★☆
- Good at preserving resemblance
- Anime/Ghibli style transformations particularly successful
- Sometimes problems with very detailed facial elements
- Midjourney: ★★★★★
- Exceptional artistic effects
- Slightly weaker preservation of resemblance
- Best effect in painterly and stylized transformations
- DALL-E: ★★★☆☆
- Decent preservation of general appearance
- Problems with reproducing specific facial features
- Good quality of color and atmosphere
- Stable Diffusion: ★★★★☆
- Very variable quality depending on model and parameters
- With appropriate models can give the best results
- Requires skillful parameter adjustment
Landscapes and Urban Scenery
- ChatGPT (GPT-4o): ★★★☆☆
- Good representation of general composition
- Sometimes simplifies complex architectural elements
- Good representation of atmosphere and mood
- Midjourney: ★★★★★
- Unmatched quality of landscape transformations
- Excellent rendering of dramatic lighting effects
- Exceptional sense of aesthetics
- DALL-E: ★★★★☆
- Preserves most important elements of scenery
- Good coloring and overall impression
- Less “artistic” than Midjourney
- Stable Diffusion: ★★★★☆
- Very good results with appropriate models
- Ability to preserve architectural details
- Requires parameter refinement for best effects
Group Photos and Scenes with Multiple People
- ChatGPT (GPT-4o): ★★★☆☆
- Preserves general arrangement of figures
- Problems with larger number of people
- May lose details of interaction between characters
- Midjourney: ★★★☆☆
- Excellent artistic effect
- Sometimes changes arrangement and number of people
- Problems with maintaining identity of multiple characters
- DALL-E: ★★★☆☆
- Preserves general composition
- Difficulties with multiple faces
- General character of scene usually reproduced correctly
- Stable Diffusion: ★★★★☆
- With appropriate models can best preserve arrangement of multiple figures
- However, requires careful parameter tuning
- Uneven results depending on scene complexity
Price Comparison and Accessibility
ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
- Payment model: Monthly subscription
- Price: ChatGPT Plus: approx. 20-25 USD/month (gives access to GPT-4o model with visual functions)
- Limits: No explicit generation limit, but “rate limiting” may be introduced with intensive use
- Accessibility: Web application, mobile applications
- Requirements: Any device with a web browser
Midjourney
- Payment model: Monthly subscription
- Price:
- Basic: around 10 USD/month (~200 generations)
- Standard: around 30 USD/month (~1000 generations)
- Pro: around 60 USD/month (~4000 generations)
- Limits: Limited number of generations depending on plan
- Accessibility: Through Discord
- Requirements: Discord account, any device with access to Discord
DALL-E
- Payment model: Credit system
- Price:
- Free monthly credits for users
- Additional credits in packages (e.g., 115 credits for approx. 15 USD)
- Limits: Limited number of generations depending on purchased credits
- Accessibility: Web application, API
- Requirements: Any device with a web browser
Stable Diffusion
- Payment model:
- Local installation: free
- Cloud services (e.g., RunwayML): monthly subscription
- Price:
- Locally: 0 USD (but requires appropriate hardware)
- Cloud services: from around 10 USD/month
- Limits: No limits with local installation
- Accessibility: Local installation, cloud services
- Requirements: Graphics card with min. 6GB VRAM for local installation (optimally 8GB+)
Which One to Choose? Tips for Different Users
For Beginners and Enthusiasts
Best choice: ChatGPT (GPT-4o)
- Easy-to-use conversational interface
- Doesn’t require learning complicated parameters
- Good results without a lot of effort
- Ability to refine the effect through conversation
For Social Media Creators and Digital Artists
Best choice: Midjourney
- Highest artistic quality
- Unique, recognizable styles
- Strong user community sharing prompts
- Excellent results for visual content in social media
For Professionals and Businesses
Best choice: DALL-E
- Clear licensing model for commercial applications
- Integration through API
- Predictable results
- Good balance between quality and ease of use
For Technology Enthusiasts and Advanced Users
Best choice: Stable Diffusion
- Full control over the process
- No limitations in number of generations (with local installation)
- Possibility of customization and expansion
- Access to the latest models and techniques
The Future of AI Tools for Photo Transformation
The market for AI image transformation tools is developing extremely dynamically. We can expect several trends in the near future:
- Better control over identity preservation – new models will better preserve the resemblance of people during transformations
- Greater accessibility – price drops and emergence of more affordable options
- Integration with mobile applications – simplification of the transformation process on mobile devices
- Specialized models – development of models specialized in specific styles and transformations
- Greater personalization – ability to train custom models for specific user needs
Summary
Choosing the right AI tool for photo transformation depends on individual needs, technical skills, and budget:
- ChatGPT (GPT-4o) is an excellent choice for beginners, offering an intuitive interface and good results without the need to learn complicated parameters.
- Midjourney stands out with exceptional artistic quality and is ideal for creators who value aesthetics and unique style.
- DALL-E offers the most balanced approach with good quality, ease of use, and clear rules for commercial use.
- Stable Diffusion provides the greatest control and flexibility, but also requires the most technical knowledge and appropriate hardware.
Regardless of the chosen tool, photo transformation using AI opens up fascinating creative possibilities that seemed impossible to achieve just a few years ago. Each of the described tools has its unique advantages, and the best approach may be experimenting with different options to find the one that best suits individual needs and working style.