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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large

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.

8

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

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 GPT Image 2 and Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
AttributeGPT Image 2Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
ProviderOpenAIStability AI
ReleasedApril 2026October 22, 2024
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, local
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryOpen weights
ParametersNot published8.1 billion
Maximum output4K1 Megapixel
Arena configurationHighNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$211 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing price$211 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.

8 shared result series
GPT Image 2Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large963.912 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large997.688 arena points
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large945.603 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large937.14 arena points
Arena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large938.302 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large928.086 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large941.134 arena points
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 21,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large921.402 arena points
Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Stable Diffusion 3.5 LargeSource
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings
963.912 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±15.9, 1,629 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art
1,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings
997.688 arena points
Rank 70, 95% confidence interval: ±9.46, 5,340 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings
945.603 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±6.34, 12,274 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings
937.14 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±11.06, 3,051 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall
1,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings
938.302 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±4.5, 23,396 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism
1,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings
928.086 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±7.07, 9,405 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings
941.134 arena points
Rank 73, 95% confidence interval: ±8.89, 5,704 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings
921.402 arena points
Rank 74, 95% confidence interval: ±10.85, 3,222 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

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

GPT Image 2, Character and detail
GPT Image 2
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Character and detail
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=7087247023770270000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: db4ca97dc43effd578430b77f8ca559c7dd5cbe60e663ba9ecc2e89a33480b0d

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: e748006fe56e442ad347e3f994f18b86ee1739f20dcee063aa7a03ee710c5d54

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 5d005ee24926d68b7d2299b8ecbe4e14919f652761f6de2568a043f2a6258da0

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

GPT Image 2, Infographic
GPT Image 2
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Infographic
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:14 PM. Source
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=12166653711354006000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: ed741d3d120188b9286d3576e7dcd3ace9dd7792978d4d5426022f32ed7ca381

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: 4eb0fd741ef42e6d3fee4b1280cdfb098a0a04009b139051963895892e349f1e

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 8b8014fc63f520d73ff57d3d8df5eae880097383167d44918b963f2830d09940

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2, Product photography
GPT Image 2
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Product photography
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 PM. Source
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=13346308312015933000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 7b27ff2c9b64529a36bebf2d572c3448f26e68f3e9d1ac6a3f2b5ead8698f60f

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: ea9a7401dee8859ec2cb96af9f7ca29a177ef2202f52f629d8ce9f5839bd4061

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 21e2c14d1b6315c30134e1390f531349608855d4ef1a87527e6d0ba57b2974ca

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2, Typography and layout
GPT Image 2
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, Typography and layout
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large
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.

GPT Image 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 PM. Source
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large. Provider fal.ai, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=16632333557910893000, estimated cost $0.068157, model ID fal-ai/stable-diffusion-v35-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:37 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 2, image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 473a774dfe9f9b7bb597e9e8b63af4e770b6bc4e7f8bc90682636db3516e7353

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, image SHA 256: e2994b1883a245b1c8c447957d121ea89d93aafff149029aa4e8507dbb769f9a

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large, request SHA 256: 530872e813e988ba95025956a3743c6111120af963d90b8970a8bf3eced5547b

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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