Red Panda AI vs. DALL·E 3 vs. Gemini—which one wins?

If you’ve tried AI image generators like Midjourney or DALL·E 3, you know they’re powerful—but locked behind paywalls.

I wanted to see what else was out there.

That's when I discovered Red Panda AI (Recraft v3), a free, fast, and surprisingly capable alternative powered by the red_panda model.

With unlimited image generation and an intuitive interface, Red Panda AI makes it easy to turn text prompts into high-quality images—whether you’re building app mockups, game assets, or sci-fi landscapes.

I put Red Panda AI to the test against DALL·E 3 and Gemini ... and the results surprised me.

In today's newsletter, I'll walk you through:

• How Red Panda AI stacks up against DALL·E 3 and Gemini (with side-by-side results)

• How Red Panda AI handles real-world creative prompts

• Why it's useful beyond design—especially for devs

Let's go.

What is Red Panda AI?

Red Panda AI is a free text-to-image generator built on Recraft v3's red_panda model. With an easy-to-use interface and no usage limits, it empowers anyone to create high-quality images quickly, without a subscription.

What can you make with it? Well, pretty much anything:

• Digital portraits that capture lifelike faces or artistic styles

• Concept art that explores sci-fi worlds and abstract concepts

• App and game assets, including UI mockups, icons, or backgrounds

And Red Panda AI is completely free—no paywalls, no credits, no limits.

How does Red Panda AI generate illustrations?

Recraft v3’s red_panda model, the heart of Red Panda AI, draws on a vast dataset of diverse artistic styles and scenes.

This model has been fine-tuned to generate images from text prompts, capturing various moods, colors, and compositions based on user input. This enables the model to create cohesive, high-quality visuals that are both professional and inspiring.

Why choose Red Panda AI?

• With an image generation time of about 7 seconds, Red Panda AI keeps your creative flow going without unnecessary delays.

• You can create unlimited images without any costs, a refreshing change from the pay-per-image or subscription models of DALL•E and Midjourney.

• Red Panda AI’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible to everyone, from experienced designers to those just beginning to explore AI art.

• Competing closely with high-quality outputs from models like Midjourney and DALL•E, red_panda is a reliable choice for those who value clear, detailed imagery.

How does Red Panda AI compare to other AI image generators?

Red Panda AI stands out among AI image generators for its balance of speed, accessibility, and cost-efficiency.

Unlike many other popular tools that require a paid subscription, Red Panda AI is entirely free, allowing unlimited image generation without costs. Here’s a quick look at how it measures up to DALL·E 3, Midjourney, and others:

Note: Results are taken from Artificial Analysis.

Red Panda AI excels in user accessibility, high-quality generation, and rapid image creation, making it an attractive choice for new and experienced creators looking for a reliable, free solution.

How Red Panda AI can help software engineers

Red Panda AI isn’t just for artists and designers—it’s also a powerful resource for software developers. Here’s a closer look at how it can support the world of software and tech:

• UI/UX design prototyping: Red Panda AI enables developers to quickly create visually engaging assets for UI/UX mockups. If you’re building a mobile app prototype or a web design, Red Panda AI can generate stunning placeholders and design elements in seconds, helping developers maintain a polished look even in early drafts.

• Game development assets: Game developers can leverage Red Panda AI to create a variety of game assets, from character designs and environments to stylized icons. It’s particularly useful for indie developers on a budget, as it eliminates the need for costly design resources without compromising visual quality.

• App marketing materials: For developers marketing their apps, having visually appealing promotional materials is essential. With Red Panda AI, developers can generate eye-catching images for social media, app stores, and websites, helping to attract and engage users.

• Educational content: Developers who produce learning materials or documentation can use Red Panda AI to create visuals that make complex information more accessible. Generate diagrams, infographics, and tutorial visuals that clarify your content.

• Mockups and visual demos: High-quality visuals can make all the difference when presenting an app or software concept. With Red Panda AI, developers can enhance presentations with realistic mockups, adding an extra layer of polish to demos and making it easier for stakeholders to visualize the final product.

Next up, let's see how different AI image generators compare—and who comes out on top.