FLUX.2 Flexvs.Runway Gen-4 Image
Which one is better?
In our own test, FLUX.2 Flex leads. Runway Gen-4 Image has no arena rating yet. Runway Gen-4 Image has no API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Typography and layout”:FLUX.2 Flex ahead
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
Both models receive the same archived prompt in 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. 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
Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting u 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:33 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 1235971dc0ffbe1e82ce305c9e7608d10a9b604697ec359a332cd4f2d931db71
Infographic
FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:33 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 13955a0ff71a8e54cde4d84a78ace5dba2bc64b8df79c939bffabca22620480c
Product photography
FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:31 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 24a4b7e7c9ac88d5e5c7a508aca6c7de29c4ca9e55c0d17623005dbe3e6aaadd
Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Flex: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source
Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:31 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
FLUX.2 Flex image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 73ca9e031f19143e8227ccfb5d651cd72eed23184d7cf7b980890310d55f7a8d
The numbers at a glance
FLUX.2 Flex
Rank 17 of 22
Runway Gen-4 Image
not in the arena
FLUX.2 Flex
Rank 35 of 74
Runway Gen-4 Image
Rank 61 of 74
FLUX.2 Flex
fairly cheap
Runway Gen-4 Image
no API price
Ranks among the 22 image models with an arena rating and the 74 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.
Runway Gen-4 Image
- Subscription
- No Runway subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.39 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 19 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: API, Web app.
- Weights
- unknown.
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 1, 2026 · API prices from Oct 28, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (34 days old)
All data side by side
The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.
| Kennzahl | FLUX.2 Flex | Runway Gen-4 Image |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,156 | n/a |
| Arena rank | Rank 17 of 22 | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 156,876 | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 57 | 25 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 71 | 32 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 56 | 20 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 58 | 22 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 41 | 27 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.06 | n/a |
| 100 images | $6 | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | November 2025 | n/a |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | unknown |
| Access | API, Web app | API, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 4 Megapixel | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 26 | 19 |
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) · Runway Gen-4 Image model source (verified Nov 1, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
No shared arena score in the stored snapshot
The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for FLUX.2 Flex and Runway Gen-4 Image from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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