FLUX.2 Maxvs.FLUX 3 Image
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. FLUX 3 Image has no arena rating yet. FLUX 3 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 “Character and detail”:FLUX.2 Max slightly ahead
What the rating looks at: Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency.
“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 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source
FLUX 3 Image: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:38 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e
FLUX 3 Image image SHA 256: 496cb58121a97575ae471aaed88c0570d0e24cd434d5f54f28535dbd7ce53f6d
Infographic
FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source
FLUX 3 Image: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:39 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09
FLUX 3 Image image SHA 256: 3a4bc8305d15194d5c2a3d8af72d0e032b46e665443b65f4d43604eb3bd19c7e
Product photography
FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source
FLUX 3 Image: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:38 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c
FLUX 3 Image image SHA 256: 270abe3dfe41073daff4fa3c83c62d8a957f9d6d960c195050c709eb831699c6
Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Max: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source
FLUX 3 Image: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:38 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc
FLUX 3 Image image SHA 256: 67a219cf5a25c37ee31b05ca918a6b05df5d0675b61aace5fe1ba1244c24cde4
The numbers at a glance
FLUX.2 Max
Rank 16 of 22
FLUX 3 Image
not in the arena
FLUX.2 Max
Rank 20 of 74
FLUX 3 Image
Rank 23 of 74
FLUX.2 Max
fairly expensive
FLUX 3 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 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.
FLUX 3 Image
- Subscription
- No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €9.59 a month (Krea Basic, with limited credits). 20 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 Max | FLUX 3 Image |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,161 | n/a |
| Arena rank | Rank 16 of 22 | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 123,144 | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 63 | 62 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 68 | 74 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 52 | 43 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 85 | 73 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 48 | 59 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.07 | n/a |
| 100 images | $7 | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | December 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 | 28 | 20 |
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) · FLUX 3 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 Max and FLUX 3 Image from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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