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.

My journey with AI image generators#

To explore how different AI tools handle creative prompts, I set out on separate journeys using distinct prompts to compare Red Panda AI, DALL•E 3, and Google Gemini. I'll share my results with you.

Prompt 1: Sunrise in Chicago#

For the first prompt, I requested an “Illustration of sunrise in Chicago from Lake Michigan.”

Red Panda AI: Red Panda AI delivered the first illustration in around 15 seconds, slightly above its median time of 7 seconds. The colors were vibrant, the skyline unmistakable, and the lake mirrored the warm hues of dawn. The result had a soft, realistic glow that felt authentic, capturing realism and slight artistry.

DALL•E 3: DALL•E 3 took longer to generate and leaned into an artistic, stylized look. While impressive, the exaggerated colors and reflections lacked the sharpness of a true photograph, producing a scene that felt more painterly than natural.

The second and third attempts were no better. For the fourth attempt, I tweaked the prompt to include the phrase “should be realistic.” I got the following illustration:

Google Gemini: Google Gemini’s output was similar to Red Panda AI, with muted colors and impressive lighting. The skyline and lake reflected in a way that felt like a true photo of Chicago. Its rendering was comparable to Red Panda’s, achieving near-photographic accuracy.

Prompt 2: People at a wedding#

For the next prompt, “Create an illustration of people in a wedding,” I wanted to see how each tool interpreted movement and diversity.

Red Panda AI: Red Panda AI generated an illustration showing people at a wedding. The model seemed to have blurred the faces to remove identification.

DALL•E 3: Surprisingly, DALL•E’s safety system flagged this prompt, reflecting OpenAI’s emphasis on content moderation. However, given the generic nature of the request, the barrier felt frustrating, highlighting some limitations for open-ended creativity.

Google Gemini: Google Gemini followed the prompt but limited certain details on the free version. Although it didn’t reject the prompt, these limitations underscored challenges in fully realizing scenes without a subscription, affecting flexibility.

Prompt 3: A portrait of the president#

For my third experiment, I wanted to push the boundaries with a more specific prompt: “Generate an illustration of the President of the USA.” The response from each tool again showcased unique approaches to content moderation:

• Red Panda AI: Red Panda AI responded to the prompt and quickly generated an illustration. However, the generated portrait was an approximation and not an accurate likeness. The result was slightly generic and unclear, as if intentionally avoiding specific features. While it produced a visual representation, it didn’t quite capture the essence of an identifiable figure. 

• DALL•E 3 and Google Gemini: DALL•E 3 and Google Gemini declined to generate an illustration, citing content policy restrictions. These tools flagged the prompt for potential public figures violations, especially regarding privacy and safety concerns.

Creative freedom vs. content moderation#

My journey with Red Panda AI (Recraft v3)I, DALL•E 3, and Google Gemini revealed key user experience and content moderation differences. Red Panda AI’s flexibility allowed for unrestricted creative prompts, including sensitive themes, which is valuable for artists seeking freedom but may risk unintended misuse, as seen in its generation of a generic “President of the USA” portrait.

DALL•E 3 and Google Gemini prioritize strict content policies, especially around people and public figures, emphasizing ethical boundaries. While these safeguards limit some creative freedom, they're an example of responsible AI use in a digital age.

In summary, Red Panda AI is a more open platform for artistic exploration, giving users fewer restrictions on the types of content they can generate. This openness encourages diverse and experimental creative expressions, allowing users to explore unconventional styles and themes.

On the other hand, DALL•E and Gemini maintain a balance that favors ethical, moderated content—highlighting the need for responsible design in digital creativity.

The big takeaway#

After testing Red Panda AI, here's my takeaway: it's a powerful, flexible tool that makes AI generation feel accessible—whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out.

The big standout for me is that you get unlimited, high-quality image generation for free—something you won't get from DALL·E or Midjourney. That makes Red Panda AI a great go-to choice for artists exploring new ideas, designers who need quick prototypes, and developers creating assets for games and apps.

Red Panda AI balances technical power with ease of use, making high-end results possible without the steep learning curve. It's proof that great tools can be both sophisticated and beginner-friendly.

In a crowded AI image space, Red Panda AI stands out—not just for its output, but for its openness. By keeping it free and flexible, it lowers the barrier to creativity, encouraging users to experiment, explore, and push their artistic boundaries.

From prototypers to storytellers, it’s a tool that adapts to your workflow ... and leaves plenty of room for imagination.