Head-to-head comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. Krea 2 Large

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: 13
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

First image modelSecond image model

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 Grok Imagine Image Quality and Krea 2 Large
Attribute	Grok Imagine Image Quality	Krea 2 Large
Provider	xAI	Krea
Released	April 2026	May 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	2K	1K
Arena configuration	Quality	Large
Text-to-image price	$50 per 1,000 images	$60 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$50 per 1,000 images	No arena entry
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Grok Imagine Image QualityKrea 2 Large

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Grok Imagine Image Quality$50

Krea 2 Large$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. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

Grok Imagine Image QualityKrea 2 Large

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Grok Imagine Image Quality65.4 / 100

Krea 2 Large46.9 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Grok Imagine Image Quality4.9 / 100

Krea 2 Large81.5 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Grok Imagine Image Quality59.3 / 100

Krea 2 Large32.1 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Grok Imagine Image Quality21 / 100

Krea 2 Large93.8 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and Krea 2 Large
Benchmark	Grok Imagine Image Quality	Krea 2 Large
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	Higher blind-rank score65.4 / 100 Mean rank: 10.33 (7 / 9 / 15) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2	46.9 / 100 Mean rank: 15.33 (12 / 17 / 17) 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	4.9 / 100 Mean rank: 26.67 (27 / 25 / 28) Five rubric scores Subject: 1 / 2 Time: 0.67 / 2 Watch details: 1 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1 / 2	Higher blind-rank score81.5 / 100 Mean rank: 6 (4 / 9 / 5) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	Higher blind-rank score59.3 / 100 Mean rank: 12 (18 / 10 / 8) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1.33 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2	32.1 / 100 Mean rank: 19.33 (11 / 28 / 19) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 0.33 / 2 Props: 0.67 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	21 / 100 Mean rank: 22.33 (23 / 22 / 22) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 0.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 0.33 / 2	Higher blind-rank score93.8 / 100 Mean rank: 2.67 (3 / 2 / 3) 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.

9 shared result series

Grok Imagine Image QualityKrea 2 Large

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,235 Elo

Krea 2 Large1,221 Elo

LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,207.187

Krea 2 Large1,113.365

LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,210.217

Krea 2 Large1,114.436

LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,227.232

Krea 2 Large1,110.519

LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,224.523

Krea 2 Large1,102.407

LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,228.14

Krea 2 Large1,104.938

LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,242.93

Krea 2 Large1,119.793

LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,271.787

Krea 2 Large1,116.151

LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Grok Imagine Image Quality1,249.616

Krea 2 Large1,108.988

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Grok Imagine Image Quality and Krea 2 Large
Benchmark	Grok Imagine Image Quality	Krea 2 Large	Source
Text to Image Arena	No clear lead1,235 Elo Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 15,970 ratings	1,221 Elo Rank 22, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 13,981 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,207.187 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±9.22, 4,538 ratings	1,113.365 Rank 45, 95% confidence interval: ±11.53, 2,522 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,210.217 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±7.93, 6,779 ratings	1,114.436 Rank 45, 95% confidence interval: ±9.69, 3,839 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,227.232 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.12, 18,027 ratings	1,110.519 Rank 45, 95% confidence interval: ±7.34, 10,101 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,224.523 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,674 ratings	1,102.407 Rank 50, 95% confidence interval: ±7.01, 9,705 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,228.14 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±4.23, 48,786 ratings	1,104.938 Rank 48, 95% confidence interval: ±4.93, 26,191 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,242.93 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 20,413 ratings	1,119.793 Rank 44, 95% confidence interval: ±7.27, 10,259 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,271.787 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.36, 10,165 ratings	1,116.151 Rank 47, 95% confidence interval: ±9.13, 4,877 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,249.616 Rank 13, 95% confidence interval: ±6.31, 16,688 ratings	1,108.988 Rank 48, 95% confidence interval: ±7.29, 8,849 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 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

Grok Imagine Image Quality, Character and detail

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.

Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source
Krea 2 Large. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, model ID krea/krea-2-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:36 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: b6cccae7af9a70af45a46b9e3264fa6971101e04979f7a0539e889ba6521250a

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 5eb607f5dab8f6ef684eb315d3cae08e7d962bb6df6b77aaf88a64e0dc5665eb

Krea 2 Large, image SHA 256: 0ff58bb2381d2d753ef76973ac739c5aa556d182192ebb8d6f44ccba0898f991

Krea 2 Large, request SHA 256: fae1cc0200a63e9c6276495a04efa321455adc787e860774a9512fd08af0ab67

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 03fbeae7859be72584048dfc23fba0651220ab44c707da66c386b77d90cc86f7

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: f576589c9e48139779b3876e26e751fa6282caa2363332dff24d10409696b3d7

Krea 2 Large, image SHA 256: 5b489d9f70c7253124a51d313bfaea1606f1b6c53ef19d238b5aa9601d2ea6ef

Krea 2 Large, request SHA 256: 6f885a262985589a70b17bb0eec66f0d7cba9125e03eb7c7f56166bef2c03ebe

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Grok Imagine Image Quality, Product photography

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 0ea1e48f20bf61ff10414398b5248b0496c9040b3868c915580efd11d0dbaf11

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 9320d8ca97077311b8f57251645ad46aa9fe084e77bbdfb99f5543d8db898855

Krea 2 Large, image SHA 256: d4d912904708c24aae1059d5096a11fcb0b78f5be48be2b045ea07ca046914c8

Krea 2 Large, request SHA 256: 963a3b3dc2b747d7dd0ce49965cff94ed16bf9461d4335b255ae547ce4b9f19b

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Grok Imagine Image Quality, Typography and layout

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.

Grok Imagine Image Quality. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.050000, model ID x-ai/grok-imagine-image-quality, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source
Krea 2 Large. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, model ID krea/krea-2-large, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Grok Imagine Image Quality, image SHA 256: 84d88fb03bdbba672fc91268f4c120b17a19e4c9d637425aeca8ed44b2397d9f

Grok Imagine Image Quality, request SHA 256: 46fe1175225b4b1ddc97b59b3735541cd5b214e0226e1ef1f2c3cf02beaf8485

Krea 2 Large, image SHA 256: f34eb736928ed7555e35c096f9da4ab2df41ba8880e54fdf7cd8b3dce6f3480d

Krea 2 Large, request SHA 256: faa085c9c08ab67ae3e0c9524c4053c2b3bafd9d73635a9e967be4e4ecf08619

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

Compare Grok Imagine Image Quality and Krea 2 Large with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

Grok Imagine Image Quality vs. Krea 2 Large

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

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