MAI-Image-2.5vs.GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. In the arena, GPT Image 2.5 Flare leads. GPT Image 2.5 Flare costs 4.4 times as much per image.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Infographic”:GPT Image 2.5 Flare 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
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
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare: openai, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced
GPT Image 2.5 Flare image SHA 256: 85b17c41b19389cae3ea073ef582e6065a321d741978e772987d22e3ea3e3b08
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare: openai, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf
GPT Image 2.5 Flare image SHA 256: bc752abfce1c0d27b73e4084c3e7d82c4c0f71e0e5af97a80f4b24326cc4686e
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare: openai, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:53 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd
GPT Image 2.5 Flare image SHA 256: 69fedb7d635d1329c461ff1ee9e5cf8384119e218e3b3bdb93b9e11f728335d8
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
GPT Image 2.5 Flare: openai, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:52 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08
GPT Image 2.5 Flare image SHA 256: cc90d54a99e1bad9e0cc8e4196746fb1d56a2fdd2a9ee101dbbf270ef5e4b6a8
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 9 of 21
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Rank 2 of 21
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 26 of 108
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Rank 18 of 108
MAI-Image-2.5
fairly cheap
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
expensive
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.
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.
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- Subscription
- No OpenAI subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.34 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 61 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.21 per image, 100 images $21.07.
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 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 3, 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.
| Kennzahl | MAI-Image-2.5 | GPT Image 2.5 Flare |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,253 | 1,401 |
| Arena rank | Rank 9 of 21 | Rank 2 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 61,286 | 39,218 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 69 | 72 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 82 | 64 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 70 | 69 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 55 | 63 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 69 | 91 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.048 | $0.21 |
| 100 images | $4.81 | $21.07 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | June 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API, Web app | API |
| Parameters | 20 billion | not published |
| Largest output | 1,048,576 pixels | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 6 | 61 |
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) · GPT Image 2.5 Flare model source (verified Sep 22, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
Artificial Analysis from Nov 3, 2026 · LMArena from Oct 28, 2026
All individual values with sources
| Rating | MAI-Image-2.5 | GPT Image 2.5 Flare | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,118 | 1,207 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,127 | 1,183 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,251 | 1,378 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,277 | 1,387 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,269 | 1,431 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,259 | 1,387 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,253 | 1,401 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,251 | 1,415 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,255 | 1,439 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,281 | 1,435 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,400 | 1,482 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
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Predecessor and successor
- MAI-Image-2.5 has no successor yet
- No predecessor recorded for GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare has no successor yet