FLUX.2 Klein 9Bvs.MAI-Image-2.6

Which one is better?

MAI-Image-2.6 leads in both ratings: in our own test and in the arena. MAI-Image-2.6 costs 2.6 times as much per image.

Test images

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

FLUX.2 Klein 9B: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — FLUX.2 Klein 9B32 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”:MAI-Image-2.6 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 Klein 9B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1587849924, estimated cost $0.006291, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 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 Klein 9B image SHA 256: 84eceab680e59de6b9d4e68b3c21f6515ce093ff7d110992049e847570dd565f

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69

Infographic

FLUX.2 Klein 9B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1082231541, estimated cost $0.006291, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:52 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 Klein 9B image SHA 256: 1d2eb263ca5a25794a88df7bb04f5c13e10ed9a289371d1dcc7ed6d6e0a297e2

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef

Product photography

FLUX.2 Klein 9B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1388538280, estimated cost $0.006291, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:39 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 Klein 9B image SHA 256: e7208f19ccfb9b810b9648cb1861797b7155ad91933d1660059236cef413ebe0

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb

Typography and layout

FLUX.2 Klein 9B: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1340991019, estimated cost $0.006291, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:41 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 Klein 9B image SHA 256: c5f23870e70f2245d24a3689f2579ceb770e5edf8c3c89b7d6ed7ae138f262f6

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better

1,070

FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Rank 20 of 21

1,329

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 4 of 21

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better

FLUX.2 Klein 9B

Rank 62 of 108

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 28 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better

$0.015

FLUX.2 Klein 9B

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 Klein 9B

Subscription: n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API: $0.015 per image, 100 images $1.50.
License: Open weights, Weights released under the FLUX Non-Commercial License.

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.

Kennzahl	FLUX.2 Klein 9B	MAI-Image-2.6
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better	1,070	1,329
Arena rank	Rank 20 of 21	Rank 4 of 21
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating	150,695	34,596
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100	50	68
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition	32	62
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details	87	88
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency	39	63
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization	42	61
API price
Per imagelower is better	$0.015	$0.039
100 images	$1.50	$3.89
Profile
Released	January 2026	Jul 31, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locally	openWeights released under the FLUX Non-Commercial License	proprietary
Lifecycle	no notice	Preview in Microsoft Foundry
Access	API, local	API
Parameters	9 billion	not published
Largest output	4 Megapixel	2,359,296 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model	n/a	n/a

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

Sources: FLUX.2 Klein 9B model source, status 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 Klein 9BMAI-Image-2.6

Text to Image Arena9301,167ahead

Image Editing Arena1,0161,151ahead

Text to Image: 3D modeling1,0781,325ahead

Text to Image: Art1,0791,337ahead

Text to Image: Cartoon1,0641,348ahead

Text to Image: Commercial design1,0701,332ahead

Text to Image: Overall1,0701,329ahead

Text to Image: Photorealism1,0911,330ahead

Text to Image: Portraits1,0921,339ahead

Text to Image: Text rendering1,0581,365ahead

Image Editing: Overall1,2241,427ahead

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

All individual values with sources

Rating	FLUX.2 Klein 9B	MAI-Image-2.6	Source
Text to Image Arena	930	1,167	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Image Editing Arena	1,016	1,151	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026
Text to Image: 3D modeling	1,078	1,325	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Art	1,079	1,337	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Cartoon	1,064	1,348	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Commercial design	1,070	1,332	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Overall	1,070	1,329	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Photorealism	1,091	1,330	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Portraits	1,092	1,339	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Text to Image: Text rendering	1,058	1,365	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026
Image Editing: Overall	1,224	1,427	LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026

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FLUX.2 Klein 9Bvs.MAI-Image-2.6

Test images

The numbers at a glance

FLUX.2 Klein 9B

MAI-Image-2.6

All data side by side

Arena ratings by category

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