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FLUX.2 Maxvs.Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

Which one is better?

FLUX.2 Max leads in both ratings: in our own test and in the arena. Both are in the lower half there, though. Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large 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
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large31 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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=7087247023770270000, estimated cost $0.068157, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large image SHA 256: e748006fe56e442ad347e3f994f18b86ee1739f20dcee063aa7a03ee710c5d54

Infographic

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=12166653711354006000, estimated cost $0.068157, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large image SHA 256: 4eb0fd741ef42e6d3fee4b1280cdfb098a0a04009b139051963895892e349f1e

Product photography

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=13346308312015933000, estimated cost $0.068157, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large image SHA 256: ea9a7401dee8859ec2cb96af9f7ca29a177ef2202f52f629d8ce9f5839bd4061

Typography and layout

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=16632333557910893000, estimated cost $0.068157, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

FLUX.2 Max image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large image SHA 256: e2994b1883a245b1c8c447957d121ea89d93aafff149029aa4e8507dbb769f9a

The numbers at a glance

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

FLUX.2 Max

Rank 15 of 21

938

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

Rank 21 of 21

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

FLUX.2 Max

Rank 27 of 108

27

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

Rank 87 of 108

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

FLUX.2 Max

fairly expensive

n/a

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

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.

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API, 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 MaxStable Diffusion 3.5 Large
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better1,161938
Arena rankRank 15 of 21Rank 21 of 21
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating123,13123,396
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1006927
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition9231
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details5917
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency7023
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization5439
API price
Per imagelower is better$0.07n/a
100 images$7n/a
Profile
ReleasedDecember 2025Oct 22, 2024
Weightsopen means: runs locallyproprietaryopen
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, local
Parametersnot published8.1 billion
Largest output4 Megapixel1 Megapixel
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) · Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large model source (verified Aug 15, 2026)

Arena ratings by category

From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.

Arena rating per categoryfrom votes by users · higher is betterFLUX.2 MaxStable Diffusion 3.5 Large
Text to Image: 3D modelingFLUX.2 Max: 1,161Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 963FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: ArtFLUX.2 Max: 1,169Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 997FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: CartoonFLUX.2 Max: 1,168Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 945FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: Commercial designFLUX.2 Max: 1,164Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 937FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: OverallFLUX.2 Max: 1,161Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 938FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: PhotorealismFLUX.2 Max: 1,161Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 928FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: PortraitsFLUX.2 Max: 1,157Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 942FLUX.2 Max ahead
Text to Image: Text renderingFLUX.2 Max: 1,166Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large: 921FLUX.2 Max ahead

LMArena from Nov 6, 2026

All individual values with sources
RatingFLUX.2 MaxStable Diffusion 3.5 LargeSource
Text to Image: 3D modeling1,161963LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Art1,169997LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Cartoon1,168945LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Commercial design1,164937LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Overall1,161938LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Photorealism1,161928LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Portraits1,157942LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026
Text to Image: Text rendering1,166921LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026

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