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FLUX.2 Maxvs.AuraFlow v0.3

Which one is better?

In our own test, FLUX.2 Max leads. AuraFlow v0.3 has no arena rating yet. AuraFlow v0.3 has no API price.

Test images

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

FLUX.2 Max: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
FLUX.2 Max92 out of 100
AuraFlow v0.3: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
AuraFlow v0.311 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:FLUX.2 Max 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 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source

AuraFlow v0.3: manual, local PyTorch 2.13.0, Diffusers 0.36.0; fal/AuraFlow-v0.3@2cd8588f04c886002be4571697d84654a50e3af3; native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; steps=50, guidance=3.5, seed=8761677709905735111; mps for text encoder and denoising; cpu for native VAE decode; float16 for text encoder and transformer; float32 for VAE, generated Nov 2, 2026, 6:42 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

AuraFlow v0.3 image SHA 256: 9d0f14ca671e82f18947b9a0d7d7587e372cb4f515ce028434fac4efbd937155

Infographic

FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source

AuraFlow v0.3: manual, local PyTorch 2.13.0, Diffusers 0.36.0; fal/AuraFlow-v0.3@2cd8588f04c886002be4571697d84654a50e3af3; native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; steps=50, guidance=3.5, seed=3793893866514060497; mps for text encoder and denoising; cpu for native VAE decode; float16 for text encoder and transformer; float32 for VAE, generated Nov 2, 2026, 6:47 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

AuraFlow v0.3 image SHA 256: d2a4ecc1c165bc861ca60133d9ff95dc9d5b1d5320763be92c8168ff8c3b8166

Product photography

FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source

AuraFlow v0.3: manual, local PyTorch 2.13.0, Diffusers 0.36.0; fal/AuraFlow-v0.3@2cd8588f04c886002be4571697d84654a50e3af3; native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; steps=50, guidance=3.5, seed=4682738952817248216; mps for text encoder and denoising; cpu for native VAE decode; float16 for text encoder and transformer; float32 for VAE, generated Nov 2, 2026, 6:37 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

AuraFlow v0.3 image SHA 256: 6889065a427cc29bc1c0a53b0ad0662eb24f4be885148b0ebb8f6d945bbd4749

Typography and layout

FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source

AuraFlow v0.3: manual, local PyTorch 2.13.0, Diffusers 0.36.0; fal/AuraFlow-v0.3@2cd8588f04c886002be4571697d84654a50e3af3; native 1024x1024, 1:1; one request, first output; steps=50, guidance=3.5, seed=7437917803059710684; mps for text encoder and denoising; cpu for native VAE decode; float16 for text encoder and transformer; float32 for VAE, generated Nov 2, 2026, 6:31 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

AuraFlow v0.3 image SHA 256: b6c221541210743564f6921b5e0bbc227c4d2246f6410cb0c1779c7c58d9460d

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
1,161

FLUX.2 Max

Rank 15 of 21

n/a

AuraFlow v0.3

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
69

FLUX.2 Max

Rank 27 of 108

12

AuraFlow v0.3

Rank 102 of 108

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
$0.07

FLUX.2 Max

fairly expensive

n/a

AuraFlow v0.3

no API price

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 Max

Subscription
No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 28 plans in Germany.
Via API
$0.07 per image, 100 images $7.

AuraFlow v0.3

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
No API price known. Access: local.
License
Open weights.

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

Arena rating (LMArena) from Nov 6, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 6, 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 MaxAuraFlow v0.3
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,161n/a
Arena rankRank 15 of 21n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating123,131n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006912
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition9211
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details5915
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency7016
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization547
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.07n/a
100 images$7n/a
Profile
ReleasedDecember 2025n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryopen
AccessAPI, Web applocal
Parametersnot published7 billion
Largest output4 Megapixel1,536 × 1,536 pixels
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model28n/a

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

Sources: FLUX.2 Max model source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · AuraFlow v0.3 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 Max and AuraFlow v0.3 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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