MAI-Image-2.5vs.Muse Image
Which one is better?
Muse Image leads in both ratings: in our own test and in the arena. MAI-Image-2.5 costs 4.8 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”:Muse Image 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
Muse Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, source 1600x1600, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:48 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: ca1c58688ae4601975d7e1f7b58bb43a0a999e736f610d9f51cd11e06284bced
Muse Image image SHA 256: 356427fe1ec15a444aae4eab2194344c7fe6b17ef205a8db16c1d64dbacb750e
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
Muse Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, source 1600x1600, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:49 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: eaf00a906231e8859f98ef5dc2cce7e8017797819aea453305a4ef0e970d4dbf
Muse Image image SHA 256: c8b096001990f57cb5225f6387485b391a4a5e3c3031e7b0524a4c19e1e01bc8
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
Muse Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, source 1600x1600, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:48 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 67d4930b711fac61482231c4bc270cfcdb41c1b0daf653045781fb2126e237dd
Muse Image image SHA 256: 0cb5d4c3dbe33c840ba87f0e8af255deec9e7e02eb6c7f172310af433e78fdb6
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
Muse Image: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, source 1600x1600, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:48 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.5 image SHA 256: 4c8a60555b57b8c3b5ebaa131371d1bba9d31bfafe7aaa772554969f7c28cb08
Muse Image image SHA 256: b8232890082d6bdd72dd7be99d98a573566a2c62f94597ecdda2bd9110e2e143
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 9 of 21
Muse Image
Rank 7 of 21
MAI-Image-2.5
Rank 26 of 108
Muse Image
Rank 4 of 108
MAI-Image-2.5
fairly cheap
Muse Image
cheap
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.
Muse Image
- Subscription
- Free to use at Meta (Meta AI Free). Through other providers from ≈ €9.51 a month (Krea Basic, with limited credits). 6 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.01 per image, 100 images $1.
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 | Muse Image |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,253 | 1,269 |
| Arena rank | Rank 9 of 21 | Rank 7 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 61,286 | 53,444 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 69 | 78 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 82 | 86 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 70 | 81 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 55 | 61 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 69 | 86 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.048 | $0.01 |
| 100 images | $4.81 | $1 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | June 2026 | Jul 7, 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API, Web app | API, Web app |
| Parameters | 20 billion | not published |
| Largest output | 1,048,576 pixels | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 6 | 6 |
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) · Muse Image model source (verified Sep 26, 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 | Muse Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,118 | 1,127 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,127 | 1,129 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 3, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,251 | 1,239 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,277 | 1,258 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,269 | 1,276 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,259 | 1,259 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,253 | 1,269 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,251 | 1,281 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,255 | 1,294 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,281 | 1,293 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,400 | 1,400 | LMArenaRetrieved Oct 28, 2026 |
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Predecessor and successor
- MAI-Image-2.5 has no successor yet
- No predecessor recorded for Muse Image
- Muse Image has no successor yet