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Head-to-head comparison

FLUX.2 Flex vs. HiDream-O1-Image

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

10

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

Change image model selection

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for FLUX.2 Flex and HiDream-O1-Image
AttributeFLUX.2 FlexHiDream-O1-Image
ProviderBlack Forest LabsHiDream
ReleasedNovember 2025May 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, local
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published8 billion
Maximum output4 Megapixel2,048 × 2,048 pixels
Arena configurationFlexNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$60 per 1,000 imagesNo comparable API price
Editing price$120 per 1,000 images$10 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
FLUX.2 FlexHiDream-O1-Image
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
FLUX.2 Flex$120
HiDream-O1-Image$10Lower price

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

10 shared result series
FLUX.2 FlexHiDream-O1-Image
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,220 EloHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,178 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,164 Elo
HiDream-O1-Image1,195 EloHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,171.967 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.629 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,155.954 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.865 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,162.335 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,122.842 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,173.137 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,128.773 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,156.466 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,118.314 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,146.683 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,111.024 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,144.533 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,107.311 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 Flex1,172.004 arena pointsHigher arena score
HiDream-O1-Image1,135.627 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for FLUX.2 Flex and HiDream-O1-Image
BenchmarkFLUX.2 FlexHiDream-O1-ImageSource
Text to Image Arena
1,220 EloHigher arena score
Rank 18, 95% confidence interval: ±11, 4,481 ratings
1,178 Elo
Rank 49, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 4,032 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,164 Elo
Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 7,827 ratings
1,195 EloHigher arena score
Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 6,392 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,171.967 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±7.03, 15,066 ratings
1,122.629 arena points
Rank 41, 95% confidence interval: ±10.3, 3,159 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,155.954 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 28, 95% confidence interval: ±6.38, 21,779 ratings
1,122.865 arena points
Rank 41, 95% confidence interval: ±8.57, 4,910 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,162.335 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±5.15, 55,850 ratings
1,122.842 arena points
Rank 38, 95% confidence interval: ±6.4, 13,113 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,173.137 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 55,246 ratings
1,128.773 arena points
Rank 39, 95% confidence interval: ±6.2, 12,596 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,156.466 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±3.42, 149,402 ratings
1,118.314 arena points
Rank 40, 95% confidence interval: ±4.3, 34,179 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,146.683 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±4.87, 63,801 ratings
1,111.024 arena points
Rank 50, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 13,889 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,144.533 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 34, 95% confidence interval: ±5.82, 33,696 ratings
1,107.311 arena points
Rank 50, 95% confidence interval: ±7.76, 7,047 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,172.004 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±5.14, 49,969 ratings
1,135.627 arena points
Rank 37, 95% confidence interval: ±6.45, 11,302 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

FLUX.2 Flex, Character and detail
FLUX.2 Flex
HiDream-O1-Image, Character and detail
HiDream-O1-Image
Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1735022440, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: fe5b22589e6505017dc44f4729b1bb60b15820ba3673354d03a69c8b82831953

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 9ac2cbe23ee6a63b0daacd665a40c3471c52c52fd6ad23e46d3027bb95f8c880

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

FLUX.2 Flex, Infographic
FLUX.2 Flex
HiDream-O1-Image, Infographic
HiDream-O1-Image
Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1456348218, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 11d4ec056332340dc822c82021ef10c6a6aa92de6e44dc931a90b7cbb6f14146

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 258eece8b53e4df0c990b78dee2e02ec57569b1c823c3feff2ab54671240d66f

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

FLUX.2 Flex, Product photography
FLUX.2 Flex
HiDream-O1-Image, Product photography
HiDream-O1-Image
Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=124666889, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:53 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 1c864c5e5d7f1e7008f15466fd0786f801ae94b17939b4f10de9a61c27766a59

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 5a9cd3c59556412e4de93a3ef5c4121ec12b6cc02730cad527619c2d8a889783

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

FLUX.2 Flex, Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Flex
HiDream-O1-Image, Typography and layout
HiDream-O1-Image
Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

FLUX.2 Flex. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-flex, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source
HiDream-O1-Image. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=2131088503, estimated cost $0.010486, model ID fal-ai/hidream-o1-image, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: a0aa716f2a302bdfa59820d2e2c27cc56f730e8e2e4d5b64223d29a6979e1475

HiDream-O1-Image, image SHA 256: 418a9b974b87b751ad2e4e98cdf6b8d7e2f8f352aed63d25be84c02377f310d1

HiDream-O1-Image, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

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