Head-to-head comparison

FLUX.2 Max vs. FLUX.2 Flex

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series: 16
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

First image modelSecond image model

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 Max and FLUX.2 Flex
Attribute	FLUX.2 Max	FLUX.2 Flex
Provider	Black Forest Labs	Black Forest Labs
Released	December 2025	November 2025
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	4 Megapixel	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	Max	Flex
Text-to-image price	$70 per 1,000 images	$60 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$140 per 1,000 images	$120 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

FLUX.2 MaxFLUX.2 Flex

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

FLUX.2 Max$70

FLUX.2 Flex$60

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

FLUX.2 Max$140

FLUX.2 Flex$120

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

FLUX.2 MaxFLUX.2 Flex

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

FLUX.2 Max85.2 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex76.6 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

FLUX.2 Max56.8 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex46.9 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

FLUX.2 Max80.3 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex39.5 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

FLUX.2 Max29.6 / 100

FLUX.2 Flex25.9 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for FLUX.2 Max and FLUX.2 Flex
Benchmark	FLUX.2 Max	FLUX.2 Flex
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score85.2 / 100 Mean rank: 5 (4 / 4 / 7) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2	76.6 / 100 Mean rank: 7.33 (6 / 10 / 6) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score56.8 / 100 Mean rank: 12.67 (14 / 11 / 13) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2	46.9 / 100 Mean rank: 15.33 (12 / 19 / 15) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	Higher blind-rank score80.3 / 100 Mean rank: 6.33 (8 / 5 / 6) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1.33 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2	39.5 / 100 Mean rank: 17.33 (27 / 7 / 18) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score29.6 / 100 Mean rank: 20 (22 / 18 / 20) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.33 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1 / 2 Clarity: 0.67 / 2	25.9 / 100 Mean rank: 21 (21 / 19 / 23) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1 / 2 Clarity: 1 / 2
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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.

12 shared result series

FLUX.2 MaxFLUX.2 Flex

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,226 Elo

FLUX.2 Flex1,224 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,201 Elo

FLUX.2 Flex1,162 Elo

LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,161.008

FLUX.2 Flex1,171.967

LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,170.168

FLUX.2 Flex1,155.954

LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,169.225

FLUX.2 Flex1,162.335

LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,164.635

FLUX.2 Flex1,173.137

LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,161.939

FLUX.2 Flex1,156.466

LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,160.771

FLUX.2 Flex1,146.683

LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,156.957

FLUX.2 Flex1,144.533

LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,167.156

FLUX.2 Flex1,172.004

LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,249.954

FLUX.2 Flex1,233.804

LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

FLUX.2 Max1,261.756

FLUX.2 Flex1,225.217

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for FLUX.2 Max and FLUX.2 Flex
Benchmark	FLUX.2 Max	FLUX.2 Flex	Source
Text to Image Arena	No clear lead1,226 Elo Rank 18, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,112 ratings	1,224 Elo Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 5,047 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,201 Elo Rank 20, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 10,113 ratings	1,162 Elo Rank 37, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 7,847 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	1,161.008 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,589 ratings	No clear lead1,171.967 Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±7.03, 15,066 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,170.168 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,564 ratings	1,155.954 Rank 28, 95% confidence interval: ±6.38, 21,779 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	No clear lead1,169.225 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.36, 42,916 ratings	1,162.335 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±5.15, 55,850 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	1,164.635 Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±5.03, 44,254 ratings	No clear lead1,173.137 Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 55,246 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	No clear lead1,161.939 Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,464 ratings	1,156.466 Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±3.42, 149,402 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,160.771 Rank 24, 95% confidence interval: ±4.95, 50,664 ratings	1,146.683 Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±4.87, 63,801 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,156.957 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±6.03, 26,790 ratings	1,144.533 Rank 34, 95% confidence interval: ±5.82, 33,696 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	1,167.156 Rank 23, 95% confidence interval: ±5.27, 40,386 ratings	No clear lead1,172.004 Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±5.14, 49,969 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,249.954 Rank 19, 95% confidence interval: ±4.34, 136,078 ratings	1,233.804 Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±4.38, 125,392 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,261.756 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±3.18, 353,119 ratings	1,225.217 Rank 35, 95% confidence interval: ±3.17, 415,933 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

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

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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source
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

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 0267e820f1d771485d5a0e44b93a6b996c2fb12f6547a199eb3c22d4cf8e21f3

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 43b43d5782192d7284de2b824dd1caaaa6b25032d22fc3f8565d438b137089f3

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: fe5b22589e6505017dc44f4729b1bb60b15820ba3673354d03a69c8b82831953

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source
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

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 46911d2cf3eb49e0c0439477c802fc24910b2658b19d562a327af2e1b3f3faf1

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 105f60cdeb71a27021ffff1ad3c0ad919df4e5c74ad83b4628fbd64a8d795a09

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 11d4ec056332340dc822c82021ef10c6a6aa92de6e44dc931a90b7cbb6f14146

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 3c90a7839c60af903a8abb6d7b2b4af4df1320aabffcc84361491964161bcf9e

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 9fef39b1500635ddbf78bcb8d3d9a68463ce952aa1fab89d12f6efe023907de7

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: 1c864c5e5d7f1e7008f15466fd0786f801ae94b17939b4f10de9a61c27766a59

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

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 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source
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

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 10a63b4db9e0b1529ab3d891fdb504c5716d30aff6a5cc7bd0312790105eba22

FLUX.2 Flex, image SHA 256: 324f87bf898593446a400abb43bd00eee015fa0a1dc160db0f864402fc0b38af

FLUX.2 Flex, request SHA 256: a0aa716f2a302bdfa59820d2e2c27cc56f730e8e2e4d5b64223d29a6979e1475

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.

More matchups

Compare FLUX.2 Max and FLUX.2 Flex with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

FLUX.2 Max vs. FLUX.2 Flex

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons