MAI-Image-2.5vs.FLUX.2 Dev
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. FLUX.2 Dev has no arena rating yet. FLUX.2 Dev has no API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Infographic”:FLUX.2 Dev ahead
What the rating looks at: Numbers, labels, and visual organization.
“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.
Test protocol of the images
Both models receive the same archived prompt in 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. The images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.
Character and detail
MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048508, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Dev: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1345966812, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.012000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced
FLUX.2 Dev image SHA 256: 8054c286745c39b416a62b1f80d96a4a17557caf60412fab1d459dd8d767fe99
Infographic
MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048538, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:26 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Dev: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=1192078982, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.012000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf
FLUX.2 Dev image SHA 256: 1d45a1bb65d40e7e3eba00ea6b5d40a20d7a97e98607c7ebc02880761d9a1d77
Product photography
MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048513, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:25 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Dev: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=885069928, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.012000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd
FLUX.2 Dev image SHA 256: 68aa5ddbce5f0f6f7171551485609e39c3978b949d8b08687d9c582eb127cfa2
Typography and layout
MAI-Image-2.5: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.048473, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:03 PM. Source
FLUX.2 Dev: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=880936191, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.012000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:01 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08
FLUX.2 Dev image SHA 256: e8d9ea0262b0292e90422235ccb6d762c89d5f81d1c58184069dc5d7c04fb85c
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 9 of 22
FLUX.2 Dev
not in the arena
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 22 of 74
FLUX.2 Dev
Rank 30 of 74
MAI-Image-2.5
fairly cheap
FLUX.2 Dev
no API price
Ranks among the 22 image models with an arena rating and the 74 with a GraduallyBench run; prices compared with 28 models with an API price.
MAI-Image-2.5
- Subscription
- No Microsoft AI subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €19.04 a month (Magnific Premium, with limited credits). 6 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.048 per image, 100 images $4.81.
FLUX.2 Dev
- Subscription
- No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 8 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: local.
- License
- Open weights, Open weights under a non-commercial license; no hosted BFL T2I API endpoint established.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
Arena rating (LMArena) from Oct 28, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 1, 2026 · API prices from Oct 28, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (34 days old)
All data side by side
The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.
| Kennzahl | MAI-Image-2.5 | FLUX.2 Dev |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,253 | n/a |
| Arena rank | Rank 9 of 22 | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 61,286 | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 62 | 59 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 84 | 61 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 59 | 40 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 57 | 60 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 50 | 75 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.048 | n/a |
| 100 images | $4.81 | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | June 2026 | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | openOpen weights under a non-commercial license; no hosted BFL T2I API endpoint established |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API, Web app | local |
| Parameters | 20 billion | 32 billion |
| Largest output | 1,048,576 pixels | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 6 | 8 |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: MAI-Image-2.5 model source, status source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · FLUX.2 Dev model source, status source (verified Nov 1, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
No shared arena score in the stored snapshot
The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for MAI-Image-2.5 and FLUX.2 Dev from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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