What Is Bing Image Creator? The Free DALL-E 3 Image Generator From Microsoft in 2026
Bing Image Creator (also known as Image Creator from Microsoft Designer) is Microsoft's free AI image generation tool powered by OpenAI's DALL-E 3 model. While ChatGPT Plus charges $20/month for DALL-E 3 access, Bing Image Creator gives you 100 free "boosts" (faster generations) per week with any free Microsoft account — plus unlimited slower generations beyond that.
The tool is integrated into Bing search, Microsoft Edge browser, and Microsoft Designer — meaning you can generate AI images directly from web searches, browser sidebar conversations, or design workflows. Image quality is identical to ChatGPT Plus's DALL-E 3 since both use the same underlying model.
For users wanting genuinely free DALL-E 3 access without paying $20/month for ChatGPT Plus, Bing Image Creator is the best option available in 2026. It is also the easiest entry point for casual users who don't want to learn complex prompt engineering or manage multiple platforms.
Who Made Bing Image Creator? The Provider Behind the Tool
Bing Image Creator is developed by Microsoft Corporation in collaboration with OpenAI. Microsoft is OpenAI's largest strategic investor, with a multi-billion dollar partnership that gives Microsoft priority access to OpenAI's latest models — including DALL-E 3 — and the ability to integrate them into Microsoft products.
Bing Image Creator launched in March 2023 as one of the first widely-available DALL-E products. Microsoft made it free as part of its broader strategy to drive Bing search adoption against Google, leveraging OpenAI's models as a competitive differentiator. The tool has been continuously updated to use the latest DALL-E versions as OpenAI releases them.
Key Features of the Free Bing Image Creator in 2026
- 100 free weekly boosts — faster generation queue.
- Unlimited slower generations — no hard cap on output.
- DALL-E 3 quality — same model as ChatGPT Plus.
- Free with Microsoft account — no payment required.
- Bing search integration — generate from search bar.
- Microsoft Edge integration — sidebar generation.
- Microsoft Designer integration — full design platform.
- Image variations — generate multiple options per prompt.
- Square 1024x1024 output — standard quality.
- Saved history — review past generations.
- Mobile-friendly web — works on phones.
- Direct download — PNG format.
Why Use Bing Image Creator? The Real Benefits for Users
Bing Image Creator's biggest strength is genuinely free DALL-E 3 access. Most other ways to access DALL-E 3 require ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or pay-per-use API access. Bing Image Creator gives the same quality for free with just a Microsoft account — saving $240/year for casual users who only need occasional AI images.
The 100 weekly boosts (100 fast generations) plus unlimited slower generations is more generous than most casual users will ever need. Even after using all weekly boosts, you can keep generating images at slower speeds — making Bing Image Creator effectively unlimited for non-time-sensitive use.
Integration with Bing search and Edge browser makes generation accessible from anywhere. While reading an article, click the Edge sidebar to generate a related illustration. While searching, type "create an image of" to generate from the search bar.
Where Can You Use Bing Image Creator? Platforms and Integrations
- Web app at bing.com/create — primary interface.
- Microsoft Designer integration — full design platform.
- Bing search — generate from search bar.
- Microsoft Edge sidebar — quick browser access.
- Microsoft Copilot integration — call from Copilot.
- Mobile-friendly web — works on phones and tablets.
- Direct PNG download — standard image format.
- Microsoft account ecosystem — sync across devices.
When Should You Use Bing Image Creator? Best Use Cases
Bing Image Creator is ideal for casual users wanting free AI images. Top use cases include: creating images for personal blog posts; generating social media post images; producing illustrations for school projects; designing greeting cards and personal projects; creating images for presentations; generating concept art for casual use; producing marketing graphics for small businesses; making YouTube thumbnails; creating Etsy product visualization mockups; producing wedding and event invitation art; generating book cover concepts; and creating AI art for fun or experimentation.
It is less ideal for high-volume professional use (Playground or Leonardo offer more daily generations), users wanting Midjourney-level cinematic quality, anyone needing extensive editing tools, or those wanting larger non-square aspect ratios.
How to Use Bing Image Creator — Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Go to bing.com/create and sign in with a free Microsoft account. You'll see 100 boosts already in your account. Type a prompt in the text box: "a cute cat astronaut floating in space, watercolor style."
Click Create. Bing generates 4 variations using DALL-E 3 in 10-30 seconds (faster with boosts, slower without). Click any image to view full-size. Click the download arrow to save as PNG.
For generating from Bing search, just type "create an image of [description]" in the search bar. From Microsoft Edge, click the Edge sidebar Designer icon. From Microsoft Copilot, ask "Create an image of...". Boosts reset weekly automatically.
Bing Image Creator Pricing in 2026
- Free — 100 weekly boosts, unlimited slow generations, full DALL-E 3 quality.
- Microsoft 365 plans — bundled with broader Microsoft AI features.
No paid Bing Image Creator subscription exists — Microsoft offers it free as part of its Microsoft account and Bing ecosystem.
Alternatives to Bing Image Creator Worth Trying
- ChatGPT Plus — DALL-E 3 inside ChatGPT ($20/month).
- Microsoft Designer — Microsoft's broader design tool with DALL-E 3.
- Playground AI — 1000 daily free generations with multiple models.
- Leonardo AI — 150 daily tokens with diverse models.
- Ideogram — best for text in images.
- Stable Diffusion (local) — free unlimited with GPU.
Final Thoughts — Is Bing Image Creator Worth Using in 2026?
Yes — for casual users wanting free DALL-E 3 access, Bing Image Creator is the easiest path available in 2026. The 100 weekly boosts plus unlimited slow generations is genuinely generous, and DALL-E 3 quality is excellent for everyday creative use. For high-volume creators, Playground's 1000 daily images may serve better; for one-off DALL-E 3 quality at zero cost, Bing Image Creator is unbeatable.
