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Head-to-head comparison

FLUX.2 Max vs. Ideogram 4.0

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
7
shared sample prompts
4
latest arena retrieval
2026-08-26

Change image model selection

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 Ideogram 4.0
AttributeFLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0
ProviderBlack Forest LabsIdeogram
ReleasedDecember 2025June 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app, local
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published9.3 billion
Maximum output4 Megapixel2K
Arena configurationMaxStandard
Text-to-image price$70 per 1,000 images$60 per 1,000 images
Editing price$140 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
FLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
FLUX.2 Max$70
Ideogram 4.0Lower price$60

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. This pair also shares 2 results from published research benchmarks.

FLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score85.2 / 100
Ideogram 4.045.7 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score56.8 / 100
Ideogram 4.011.1 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
FLUX.2 MaxHigher blind-rank score80.3 / 100
Ideogram 4.064.2 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
FLUX.2 Max29.6 / 100
Ideogram 4.0Higher blind-rank score86.4 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for FLUX.2 Max and Ideogram 4.0
BenchmarkFLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0
ContraLabs typography, first-place wins
15.5 %
Higher benchmark score47.9 %
ContraLabs client-work suitability
2.49 / 5
Higher benchmark score3.55 / 5
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
45.7 / 100
Mean rank: 15.67 (19 / 16 / 12)
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
11.1 / 100
Mean rank: 25 (26 / 26 / 23)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 0.67 / 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
64.2 / 100
Mean rank: 10.67 (16 / 4 / 12)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1.33 / 2
Props: 1.33 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
29.6 / 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
Higher blind-rank score86.4 / 100
Mean rank: 4.67 (4 / 6 / 4)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 1.67 / 2
Diagram: 1.67 / 2
Clarity: 1.67 / 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.

1 shared result series
FLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
FLUX.2 MaxNo clear lead1,226 Elo
Ideogram 4.01,223 Elo

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for FLUX.2 Max and Ideogram 4.0
BenchmarkFLUX.2 MaxIdeogram 4.0Source
Text to Image Arena
No clear lead1,226 Elo
Rank 18, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 9,112 ratings
1,223 Elo
Rank 20, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 7,598 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 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

Ideogram 4.0, Character and detail
FLUX.2 Max, Character and detail
FLUX.2 Max
Ideogram 4.0
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
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:28 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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: d63d24515e4c3a8b7feafecaf995a511433307ae5faae1a1c26b2f0289578af9

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 696dca30bc56f219456b4718f12964f03bebafaf0ab04933c83ebce7d87885fa

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Ideogram 4.0, Infographic
FLUX.2 Max, Infographic
FLUX.2 Max
Ideogram 4.0
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
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:28 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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: f57e6f5b7ae9038953087720387aa4a901832a1794dbb5e3f337f9d3ef213d62

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f8be08fad75ff655fee6c1f905b56f7b1af1baad82abb6afd680b3c5d8adce6

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Ideogram 4.0, Product photography
FLUX.2 Max, Product photography
FLUX.2 Max
Ideogram 4.0
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.

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
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:27 PM. Source

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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 59b59cf5294653460f06085eedcfeb676b8c50f88f58f038b32659841f0500dd

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: f92af218505f25199de273f0bded9e0a2cb86dbdec60ac4db6d518ea96242b30

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Ideogram 4.0, Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Max, Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Max
Ideogram 4.0
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
Ideogram 4.0. Provider Together, requested 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID ideogram/ideogram-4.0, 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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 088eabf7b8c37bd377011dd2649a2deeee49ffb903e4798a6930bb94144f1eb4

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f93bd316178809113c5fc31686cfeb03091fd0212264fc910f62c27f55b80df

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

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