The best AI image generator, tested
Every AI image model on this site ran the same twelve prompts: text in a poster, a product on white, a face and hands, a logo, a market, a woodblock print, a chart, a wide banner, an infographic, a pizza, a five-object placement test and an edit of an earlier result. Nothing was re-rolled. This page ranks them prompt by prompt, with every model's picture under each verdict. Seven models have no edit endpoint on fal (Krea 2 Medium and Large, Recraft V4.1 and V4.1 Flash, MOSS-Image, Qwen-Image and HiDream-I1 Full), so their edit tiles are marked rather than skipped. Ideogram Vector returns native SVGs: its edit worked from a raster preview of its own earlier SVG, and its wide banner is 2:1, the widest shape it offers, instead of 21:9. To see one image edited again and again, open the Flare and Sunburst comparison or the Ideogram 4.5 page.
Anvisha Pai, Co-founder & CEO, Voyager
The short answer
- 1.Nano Banana Pro is the best all-round model: text, charts, infographics, edits and art styles all near the top, with the best value at its price. $0.13 per 1k or 2k image via Gemini API.
- 2.GPT Image 2.5 Flare is the model inside ChatGPT and the best at text, logos and following a hard brief. $0.053 per 1024 by 1024, high quality via fal.
- 3.GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst for product and food photography, where its lighting and texture lead. $0.053 per 1024 by 1024, high quality via fal.
- 4.Seedream 5.0 Pro is the value pick: correct text, charts and edits from a much cheaper model. $0.068 per image up to 1536 by 1536 in area via fal.
- 5.Ideogram 4.5 when you will edit the same image again and again: its precise edits left the background almost untouched over three passes, and its type was right at every quality tier. $0.06 per image, medium quality via fal.
- 6.Muse Image for one cent an image: a correct poster, a real logo and a clean edit at about 2.5 megapixels; check the chart bars. $0.01 per image via fal.
- 7.MOSS-Image for charts and layouts among open models: it plans a JSON layout first and drew our chart correctly. $0.05 per megapixel via fal.
- 8.FLUX.2 Max for photographic scenes, faces and food with a filmic finish. $0.07 per 1k image via BFL API.
- 9.Nano Banana 2 as the cheap default when the brief has no text in it; it invents taglines and buttons when it does. $0.067 per 1k image via Gemini API.
- 10.Ideogram Vector for native SVG logos and simple infographics: our wordmark and four-step wording were correct, but lettering is outlined and its chart failed. $0.16 per generated svg, medium quality via fal.
Every model, measured
| Model | Vendor | Price | Seconds per image | 12 pictures cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bria FIBO 2.0 | Bria | $0.04 per image via fal | 9 to 21 | $0.48 |
| FLUX 3 Image | Black Forest Labs | $0.048 per 1k image, about 1 megapixel via BFL API | 21 to 112 | $0.29 |
| FLUX 3 Image Klein | Black Forest Labs | $0.009 per 1k image via fal | 1 to 8 | $0.11 |
| FLUX.2 Pro | Black Forest Labs | $0.03 per 1k image via BFL API | 8 to 16 | $0.49 |
| FLUX.2 Flex | Black Forest Labs | $0.05 per 1k image via BFL API | 9 to 13 | $1.05 |
| FLUX.2 Max | Black Forest Labs | $0.07 per 1k image via BFL API | 14 to 35 | $1.11 |
| GPT Image 2.5 Flare | OpenAI | $0.053 per 1024 by 1024, high quality via fal | 16 to 66 | $0.54 |
| GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst | OpenAI | $0.053 per 1024 by 1024, high quality via fal | 23 to 41 | $0.54 |
| GPT Image 2 | OpenAI | $0.21 per 1024 by 1024, high quality via fal | 72 to 163 | $2.16 |
| Grok Imagine 2.0 | xAI | $0.04 per image via xAI API | 11 to 95 | $0.72 |
| Grok Imagine | xAI | $0.02 per image via xAI API | 6 to 32 | $0.24 |
| HiDream-I1 Full | HiDream.ai | $0.05 per megapixel via fal | 13 to 104 | $0.95 |
| Ideogram 4.5 | Ideogram | $0.06 per image, medium quality via fal | 12 to 27 | $0.72 |
| Ideogram 4.0 | Ideogram | $0.015 per 1024 by 1024, balanced via fal | 9 to 33 | $0.24 |
| Ideogram Vector | Ideogram | $0.16 per generated svg, medium quality via fal | 20 to 30 | $1.92 |
| Krea 3 | Krea | $0.025 per megapixel of output, plus each reference via fal | 24 to 55 | $1.10 |
| Krea 2 Medium | Krea | $0.03 per image without style references via fal | 15 to 27 | $0.33 |
| Krea 2 Large | Krea | $0.06 per image without style references via fal | 25 to 47 | $0.60 |
| MAI-Image-2.5 | Microsoft | $0.05 per image via fal | 19 to 44 | $0.60 |
| MAI-Image-2.5 Pro | Microsoft | $0.17 per image, average text-to-image request via fal | 25 to 40 | $2.14 |
| Muse Image | Meta | $0.01 per image via fal | 9 to 27 | $0.12 |
| MOSS-Image | OpenMOSS | $0.05 per megapixel via fal | 14 to 63 | $0.70 |
| Nano Banana 2.1 | Google DeepMind | $0.034 per 1k image via Gemini API | 9 to 20 | $0.48 |
| Nano Banana 2 | Google DeepMind | $0.067 per 1k image via Gemini API | 9 to 14 | $0.96 |
| Nano Banana 2 Lite | Google DeepMind | $0.034 per 1k image via Gemini API | 3 to 4 | $0.41 |
| Nano Banana Pro | Google DeepMind | $0.13 per 1k or 2k image via Gemini API | 15 to 87 | $1.80 |
| Qwen Image 3 | Alibaba | $0.04 per 1k image via fal | 10 to 156 | $0.76 |
| Qwen-Image | Alibaba | $0.02 per megapixel via fal | 5 to 26 | $0.38 |
| Recraft V4.1 | Recraft | $0.035 per raster image via Recraft API | 8 to 16 | $0.39 |
| Recraft V4.1 Flash | Recraft | $0.007 per image via fal | 2 to 21 | $0.077 |
| Recraft V3 | Recraft | $0.04 per raster image via Recraft API | 5 to 14 | $0.48 |
| Seedream 5.0 Pro | ByteDance | $0.068 per image up to 1536 by 1536 in area via fal | 26 to 80 | $0.81 |
| Seedream 5.0 Lite | ByteDance | $0.035 per image via fal | 23 to 39 | $0.42 |
| Seedream 5.0 Flash | ByteDance | $0.027 per image via fal | 12 to 20 | $0.32 |
| Seedream 4.5 | ByteDance | $0.04 per image via fal | 9 to 16 | $0.48 |
Seconds and cost are from our own runs of the same 12 prompts through every model, one try each.
Text in an image
This prompt in full →The OpenAI models and Nano Banana Pro set all three lines correctly, and FLUX 3 Image and Ideogram 4.5 join them with designed two-colour layouts. Seedream 4.5, both Recraft models, Ideogram 4.0 and FLUX.2 Flex all failed in different ways. Most of the 22 October additions also set it correctly, Krea 3, FLUX 3 Image Klein, Muse Image, Bria FIBO 2.0 and MOSS-Image among them. Ideogram Vector preserves the requested wording but adds an unwanted SUD IMERA line above it.
Logo mark
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Flare's mark is the one to trace. Both Nano Banana 2 tiers added a tagline nobody asked for. Muse Image and MOSS-Image, added 22 October, merged chain and wheel with no tagline. Ideogram Vector supplies a native SVG with a correct Spoke & Chain wordmark and a combined chain-and-spoke icon, without a tagline; its lettering is outlined.
Product on white
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Flare are catalogue-ready. Recraft V4.1 and Seedream 5.0 Pro redesigned the product. Krea 3, added 22 October, is catalogue-ready; Seedream 5.0 Flash cut slots through its dripper. Ideogram Vector makes a flat illustration with a handle, not the requested photograph.
Edit an existing image
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Nano Banana Pro and Ideogram 4.5 changed only what was asked. Several models recoloured the base too. Of the 22 October additions, FLUX 3 Image Klein, Bria FIBO 2.0, Muse Image, Seedream 5.0 Flash and MAI-Image-2.5 Pro made clean edits. Ideogram Vector turns the dripper green and its existing handle brass while keeping the composition close, using the earlier SVG rendered as a WebP reference.
Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2.5 and Seedream 5.0 Pro got every value and month right. Ideogram 4.0 inverted the axis, and Ideogram 4.5 labelled every bar correctly but drew April's 170 taller than March's 180; Grok Imagine 1.0 had two Junes. Qwen Image 3 garbles month names, Krea Medium makes floating blocks, and Krea Large scrambles the vertical scale. Of the 22 October additions only MOSS-Image drew it correctly. Ideogram Vector draws seven bars for six months and omits the numeric values and vertical scale.
Infographic with steps
This prompt in full →Nano Banana Pro's card is the most finished; GPT Image 2.5's is publishable, and so is Ideogram 4.5's, with exact headings and invented sub-copy. Recraft V3 photographed a board instead. Qwen Image 3 and Krea Large keep the four steps readable; Krea Medium changes the heading and adds copy. Ideogram Vector also sets the title and all four steps correctly, with an icon each, in a native SVG with outlined lettering. Grok Imagine Pro's historical card was also publishable, but Pro retired on 2 November 2026 and is no longer a pick.
Wide aspect ratio
This prompt in full →Nano Banana Pro, GPT Image 2, Seedream 5.0 Pro and Ideogram 4.0 left the copy space empty. Five models filled it with invented headlines. Qwen Image 3 adds invented text to the reserved empty space. Recraft V4.1 Flash, added 22 October, filled the space with nonsense text. Ideogram Vector leaves the left side clear without adding text; its endpoint requires a 2:1 substitute for the requested 21:9.
Face and hands
This prompt in full →Every model got the fingers right. Nano Banana Pro and GPT Image 2.5 Flare have the most natural skin and light. Ideogram Vector makes an illustrated laughing portrait with both hands around the red mug rather than a photograph.
Food photography
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst wins on cheese pull and crust; Nano Banana 2 and FLUX.2 Max are close. Ideogram Vector includes basil and a pulled slice with stretched cheese, but renders it as an illustration.
Busy scene
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Flare's market is the most complete. Ideogram 4.0 returned a cut-out collage; 4.5's market is dense and legible but has two dogs and an invented banner. Krea 3's aerial market, added 22 October, is as complete. Ideogram Vector includes the stalls, oranges, shoppers, dog and guitarist in a dense illustration made from 1,977 SVG paths.
Specific art style
This prompt in full →Nano Banana Pro and GPT Image 2.5 Flare made prints, not paintings. Recraft V3 returned a photograph. Ideogram Vector has curling waves and a gradient sky, but lacks the requested visible wood grain.
Hard composition
This prompt in full →GPT Image 2.5 Flare, Nano Banana Pro, FLUX.2 Pro and Grok Imagine 2.0 placed all five objects exactly. FLUX 3 Image Klein, Seedream 5.0 Flash, Muse Image, MOSS-Image, Recraft V4.1 Flash and MAI-Image-2.5 Pro, all added 22 October, did too. Ideogram Vector places the book, apple and pencil correctly but adds more than three ice shapes.
Head to head
- Bria FIBO 2.0 vs FLUX 3 Image Klein
- FLUX 3 Image Klein vs FLUX 3 Image
- FLUX 3 Image vs FLUX.2 Max
- FLUX.2 Pro vs Nano Banana Pro
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Sunburst
- Ideogram 4.5 vs Ideogram 4.0
- Ideogram 4.0 vs Nano Banana Pro
- Krea 3 vs Krea 2 Large
- MAI-Image-2.5 Pro vs MAI-Image-2.5
- MOSS-Image vs Qwen-Image
- Muse Image vs Nano Banana 2.1
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2
- Nano Banana Pro vs GPT Image 2.5
- Nano Banana Pro vs Seedream 5.0 Pro
- Recraft V4.1 Flash vs Recraft V4.1
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Seedream 5.0 Lite
Frequently asked questions
What is the best AI image generator in 2026?
On the same twelve prompts, Nano Banana Pro is the best all-round model, GPT Image 2.5 Flare leads on text, logos and precise briefs, GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst on product and food, and Seedream 5.0 Pro is the value pick. Every verdict on this page links to the pictures behind it.
What is the best free AI image generator?
Nano Banana is free in the Gemini app with daily limits, GPT Image 2.5 is free in ChatGPT with limits, Grok Imagine is free on X, and Ideogram and Seedream have free app tiers. The APIs are paid. Each model page lists the free tier and its catch.
Which AI image generator is best for text?
GPT Image 2.5, GPT Image 2, Nano Banana Pro and Seedream 5.0 Pro all set a three-line poster correctly. The text-in-an-image page shows every model's attempt.
How much does an AI image cost?
From under a cent per image for Recraft V4.1 Flash ($0.007) and FLUX 3 Image Klein ($0.009) on fal, read on 22 October 2026, to about $0.21 for GPT Image 2 at its top quality. Nano Banana Pro is a flat $0.15 on fal. The table above shows what our twelve prompts cost on every model.
Is Midjourney on this page?
No. Midjourney has no API, so it cannot run our fixed prompt set under the same conditions as the others. The roster is every model hosted on fal that Voyager can run.
Voyager
Run supported models inside Voyager
Voyager is an agent for creative work that runs supported models. Brief it, and it picks the model for the job, makes the thing and hands back something you can edit. Create an account to get started.