DALL-E (Discontinued) vs Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Which one should you pick? Here's the full breakdown.
DALL-E (Discontinued)
OpenAI's DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 -- DEPRECATED. API shuts down May 12, 2026. DALL-E 3 already removed from ChatGPT in December 2025. See alternatives: Nano Banana 2, Midjourney, FLUX.2 [klein], Ideogram
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Image model -- the best-in-class text-in-image renderer, now the default across the Gemini app
| Category | DALL-E (Discontinued) | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9.0 | 9.5 |
| Output Quality | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| Value | 1.0 | 8.5 |
| Features | 3.0 | 8.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 | 8.9 |
Pricing Comparison
| Feature | DALL-E (Discontinued) | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Starting Price | N/A | $0 |
Which Should You Pick?
Pick DALL-E (Discontinued) if...
Historical context only. If you have an API integration with DALL-E, migrate before May 12, 2026. Choose from: GPT Image inside ChatGPT (direct replacement), Nano Banana 2 (best text-in-image), Midjourney (best artistic), FLUX.2 [klein] (best open-weight), or Ideogram (strong text).
Visit DALL-E (Discontinued)Pick Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) if...
- ✓Higher output quality (9.5 vs 8)
- ✓Better value for money (8.5/10)
- ✓More features (8 vs 3)
- ✓Has a free tier
Designers, marketers, and content creators who need readable text in images (social posts, ad creative, book covers, infographics, event flyers) and who are already using or willing to pay for Gemini. If any part of your commercial design work requires typography to look right, Nano Banana 2 is the 2026 leader.
Visit Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)Our Verdict
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is the clear winner here with 8.9/10 vs 5.0/10. DALL-E (Discontinued) isn't bad, but Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) outperforms it across the board. Pick DALL-E (Discontinued) only if historical context only.