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Head-to-head comparison

Ideogram 4.0 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

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 Ideogram 4.0 and Midjourney V8.1
AttributeIdeogram 4.0Midjourney V8.1
ProviderIdeogramMidjourney
ReleasedJune 2026April 30, 2026
AccessAPI, Web app, localWeb app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsOpen weightsProprietary
Parameters9.3 billionNot published
Maximum output2K2K
Arena configurationStandardNo arena entry
Text-to-image price$60 per 1,000 imagesNo arena entry
Editing priceNo arena entryNo 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 Ideogram 4.0 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

Ideogram 4.0, Character and detail
Ideogram 4.0
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.

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
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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: d63d24515e4c3a8b7feafecaf995a511433307ae5faae1a1c26b2f0289578af9

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 696dca30bc56f219456b4718f12964f03bebafaf0ab04933c83ebce7d87885fa

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: cf522740817fefe58b263fa9a0d07d249c42211eca7d7c9b013f7145a7d2a8ea

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Ideogram 4.0, Infographic
Ideogram 4.0
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.

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
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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: f57e6f5b7ae9038953087720387aa4a901832a1794dbb5e3f337f9d3ef213d62

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f8be08fad75ff655fee6c1f905b56f7b1af1baad82abb6afd680b3c5d8adce6

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: ac36188f88f37f23c2c405355d8dd12594085e1450d732fa419d8cec9a6c598f

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Ideogram 4.0, Product photography
Ideogram 4.0
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.

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
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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 59b59cf5294653460f06085eedcfeb676b8c50f88f58f038b32659841f0500dd

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: f92af218505f25199de273f0bded9e0a2cb86dbdec60ac4db6d518ea96242b30

Midjourney V8.1, image SHA 256: 992f2486be40bc361a638b4b266909d334883c05fe4763cf5e243358c688bfdd

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Ideogram 4.0, Typography and layout
Ideogram 4.0
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.

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
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

Ideogram 4.0, image SHA 256: 088eabf7b8c37bd377011dd2649a2deeee49ffb903e4798a6930bb94144f1eb4

Ideogram 4.0, request SHA 256: 7f93bd316178809113c5fc31686cfeb03091fd0212264fc910f62c27f55b80df

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.