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Head-to-head comparison

FLUX.2 Max vs. Midjourney V8.1

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

0

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

No data

latest arena retrieval

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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 Midjourney V8.1
AttributeFLUX.2 MaxMidjourney V8.1
ProviderBlack Forest LabsMidjourney
ReleasedDecember 2025April 30, 2026
AccessAPI, Web appWeb app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4 Megapixel2K
Arena configurationMaxNo arena entry
Text-to-image price$70 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$140 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

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.

0 shared result series

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for FLUX.2 Max and Midjourney V8.1 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

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

FLUX.2 Max, Character and detail
FLUX.2 Max
Midjourney V8.1, Character and detail
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: cf522740817fefe58b263fa9a0d07d249c42211eca7d7c9b013f7145a7d2a8ea

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

FLUX.2 Max, Infographic
FLUX.2 Max
Midjourney V8.1, Infographic
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: ac36188f88f37f23c2c405355d8dd12594085e1450d732fa419d8cec9a6c598f

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

FLUX.2 Max, Product photography
FLUX.2 Max
Midjourney V8.1, Product photography
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: 992f2486be40bc361a638b4b266909d334883c05fe4763cf5e243358c688bfdd

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

FLUX.2 Max, Typography and layout
FLUX.2 Max
Midjourney V8.1, Typography and layout
Midjourney V8.1
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
Midjourney V8.1. Provider Manual import, one request, first output, Midjourney V8.1 Standard, 1:1, 1024x1024, four candidates, stylize 100, weird 0, variety 0, Raw off, personalization off, Relax mode, no reference image, no negative prompt, model ID manual export, generated Aug 16, 2026, 12:19 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

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: af3d2c5042b108a7fe2eb49bae072d30030e6b6cf814875ef9ce7074ceafc4ce

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.

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