Midjourney vs ChatGPT: price and which to choose
Quick verdict
Midjourney is a dedicated image and video generator paid in GPU time, with unlimited Relax images from Standard, video on every plan and Stealth Mode on Pro and Mega. ChatGPT is a general assistant that also makes images — on every plan, unlimited on Pro — but it no longer makes video. For a lot of images and any video, Midjourney; for images as part of everyday work, ChatGPT.
Option A
Option B
$20.00/moPlus
Official price before tax: $20.00
Price checked
Also has a free plan: Free
ChatGPT price and plansWe compare plans with a similar purpose, whose features may differ; prices before sales tax; prices for other plans and periods are in the reviews.
Feature comparison
| Criterion | Midjourney | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Images and video | General assistant |
| Video | Every plan | No |
| Unlimited images | Relax Mode from Standard | Pro |
| Privacy | Stealth Mode (Pro, Mega) | Data controls, temporary chat |
| Yearly discount | 20% | Monthly plans |
People compare them for image generation. Midjourney does only images and video; ChatGPT does writing, research, files and code, with images as one tool among many.
If you don’t want to read further
Lots of images, video, private generations — Midjourney. Images now and then alongside writing and research — ChatGPT.
What really sets them apart
In each row, the last sentence matters most — what the difference means for you.
What is it for?
Midjourney
Images and video only.
ChatGPT
A general assistant; images are one tool.
If images are the whole job, Midjourney.
Video?
Midjourney
SD video on every plan; HD video on Standard; unlimited Relax SD video on Pro and Mega.
ChatGPT
Not part of any ChatGPT plan — OpenAI discontinued its Sora video app on April 26, 2026.
For video, Midjourney.
How many images?
Midjourney
Measured in Fast GPU hours (3.3, 15, 30 or 60 a month); unlimited Relax images from Standard.
ChatGPT
Images on every plan with limits; unlimited image creation on Pro.
Unlimited images for less — Midjourney Standard.
Privacy of what you create?
Midjourney
Stealth Mode keeps images and videos private on Pro and Mega.
ChatGPT
Settings → Data controls: turn off model training, or use a temporary chat that isn’t saved to history.
On Midjourney, privacy is a plan feature; on ChatGPT, a setting.
Prepay?
Midjourney
Yearly plans are 20% off, paid up front.
ChatGPT
Monthly plans.
Only Midjourney discounts a year.
Where they don’t differ, even though it seems they should
This part is often more useful than the list of differences — it saves money for anyone who was about to pay for an imaginary advantage.
Monthly option
Both can be paid month to month.
Higher tiers for heavy use
Midjourney Mega and ChatGPT Pro.
Auto-renewal
Both renew until you cancel.
Which one fits whom
| Your situation | What to choose | On what condition |
|---|---|---|
| You make images every day | Midjourney Standard | Unlimited Relax images. |
| You need video | Midjourney | Video on every plan. |
| You need images now and then | ChatGPT Free, Go or Plus | Images alongside everything else. |
| You need private generations | Midjourney Pro | Stealth Mode. |
- Midjourney Basic has no Relax Mode — when Fast hours run out, you buy more GPU time.
- Midjourney plans renew automatically until you set them to cancel.
- ChatGPT Free and Go may include ads.
- Companies earning over one million dollars a year must use Midjourney Pro or Mega.
Where the facts come from
Sources: docs.midjourney.com and chatgpt.com with the OpenAI Help Center. Prices are in the price blocks on each service’s page.
Facts in the text checked: .
FAQ: Midjourney or ChatGPT
Other comparisons
The same products against other competitors, and other comparisons in the “AI subscriptions” category.
Where their scores differ
Only criteria we’ve checked for both services and where the scores differ. Equal criteria and criteria without data aren’t shown here, because they add nothing to the decision.
If what matters most is — free way to try it: ChatGPT Plus
Midjourney Standard Plan: no free trial (1,0/5) · ChatGPT Plus: permanent free version available (5,0/5)
If what matters most is — clear usage limits: Midjourney Standard Plan
Midjourney Standard Plan: specific limits are published (5,0/5) · ChatGPT Plus: limits are mentioned, but without numbers (3,0/5)
If what matters most is — what it can do: ChatGPT Plus
Midjourney Standard Plan: 3 of 6 checked (3,0/5) · ChatGPT Plus: 5 of 6 checked (4,0/5)
If what matters most is — chats and model training: ChatGPT Plus
Midjourney Standard Plan: yes, can’t be turned off (1,0/5) · ChatGPT Plus: yes, by default (can be turned off) (2,0/5)
The scores and their weights are the same as in the reviews of both services. How we calculate
Comparison text updated: