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FLUX.2 Flexvs.MAI-Image-2.6

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. In the arena, MAI-Image-2.6 leads. FLUX.2 Flex costs 1.5 times as much per image.

Test images

Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.

FLUX.2 Flex: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
FLUX.2 Flex98 out of 100
MAI-Image-2.6: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
MAI-Image-2.662 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:FLUX.2 Flex ahead

Prompt given to both modelsCreate 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.

What the rating looks at: Legible text, hierarchy, and composition.

“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.

Test protocol of the images

Each test attempt uses the same archived prompt and one request. The first output of that attempt counts. Repeats after technical test failures are disclosed for the affected images. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier and prompt processing can still differ. The images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039287, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69

Infographic

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039317, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef

Product photography

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039292, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb

Typography and layout

FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039252, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
1,156

FLUX.2 Flex

Rank 16 of 21

1,329

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 4 of 21

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
73

FLUX.2 Flex

Rank 11 of 108

68

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 28 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
$0.06

FLUX.2 Flex

fairly cheap

$0.039

MAI-Image-2.6

fairly cheap

Ranks among the 21 image models with an arena rating and the 108 with a GraduallyBench run; prices compared with 28 models with an API price.

FLUX.2 Flex

Subscription
No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 26 plans in Germany.
Via API
$0.06 per image, 100 images $6.

MAI-Image-2.6

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
$0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.

Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.

Arena rating (LMArena) from Oct 28, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 3, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (38 days old)

All data side by side

The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.

KennzahlFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,1561,329
Arena rankRank 16 of 21Rank 4 of 21
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating156,87634,596
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1007368
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition9862
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details6388
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency7563
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization5761
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.06$0.039
100 images$6$3.89
Profile
ReleasedNovember 2025Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryproprietary
Lifecycleno noticePreview in Microsoft Foundry
AccessAPI, Web appAPI
Parametersnot publishednot published
Largest output4 Megapixel2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model26n/a

API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.

Sources: FLUX.2 Flex model source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · MAI-Image-2.6 model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.

Arena rating per categoryfrom votes by users · higher is betterFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6
Text to Image ArenaFLUX.2 Flex: 1,026MAI-Image-2.6: 1,167MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Image Editing ArenaFLUX.2 Flex: 1,002MAI-Image-2.6: 1,151MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: 3D modelingFLUX.2 Flex: 1,173MAI-Image-2.6: 1,325MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: ArtFLUX.2 Flex: 1,155MAI-Image-2.6: 1,337MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: CartoonFLUX.2 Flex: 1,163MAI-Image-2.6: 1,348MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: Commercial designFLUX.2 Flex: 1,172MAI-Image-2.6: 1,332MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: OverallFLUX.2 Flex: 1,156MAI-Image-2.6: 1,329MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: PhotorealismFLUX.2 Flex: 1,145MAI-Image-2.6: 1,330MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: PortraitsFLUX.2 Flex: 1,144MAI-Image-2.6: 1,339MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Text to Image: Text renderingFLUX.2 Flex: 1,172MAI-Image-2.6: 1,365MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
Image Editing: OverallFLUX.2 Flex: 1,224MAI-Image-2.6: 1,427MAI-Image-2.6 ahead

Artificial Analysis from Nov 3, 2026 · LMArena from Oct 28, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingFLUX.2 FlexMAI-Image-2.6Source
Text to Image Arena1,0261,167Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Image Editing Arena1,0021,151Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Text to Image: 3D modeling1,1731,325LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Art1,1551,337LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Cartoon1,1631,348LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Commercial design1,1721,332LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Overall1,1561,329LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Photorealism1,1451,330LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Portraits1,1441,339LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Text rendering1,1721,365LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Image Editing: Overall1,2241,427LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026

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Predecessor and successor

  • No predecessor recorded for FLUX.2 Flex
  • FLUX.2 Flex has no successor yet
  • No predecessor recorded for MAI-Image-2.6
  • MAI-Image-2.6 has no successor yet