MAI-Image-2.6vs.FLUX 3 Image Klein

Which one is better?

In our own test both are on par. FLUX 3 Image Klein has no arena rating yet. FLUX 3 Image Klein has no API price.

Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.

MAI-Image-2.6: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — MAI-Image-2.639 out of 100

FLUX 3 Image Klein: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — FLUX 3 Image Klein86 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:FLUX 3 Image Klein ahead

Prompt given to both modelsCreate 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.

What the rating looks at: Legible text, hierarchy, and composition.

“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-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039287, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

FLUX 3 Image Klein: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.009000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:28 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69

FLUX 3 Image Klein image SHA 256: b3331460097da628f405817301b99f206142350757be51bee5e406216ef8359f

Infographic

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039317, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source

FLUX 3 Image Klein: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.009000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:28 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef

FLUX 3 Image Klein image SHA 256: 8f6c2d4ea5814181f198e45caf6b561a650145fccf667ecb5cace92c1fc3bbcb

Product photography

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039292, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

FLUX 3 Image Klein: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.009000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:28 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb

FLUX 3 Image Klein image SHA 256: bafab00e86d3de8b29c6390b162e99291c84878c546246a95b5d47c6fe352fb9

Typography and layout

MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039252, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source

FLUX 3 Image Klein: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.009000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:28 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47

FLUX 3 Image Klein image SHA 256: 8f3f8cc9a1ab3c037f81a05bb3eec4e9a0129bad649347c4f40dc30c2870c0aa

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better

1,329

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 4 of 22

n/a

FLUX 3 Image Klein

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better

MAI-Image-2.6

Rank 46 of 74

FLUX 3 Image Klein

Rank 9 of 74

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better

$0.039

MAI-Image-2.6

fairly cheap

n/a

FLUX 3 Image Klein

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-2.6

Subscription: n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API: $0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.

FLUX 3 Image Klein

Subscription: n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API: No API price known. Access: API, local.
License: Open weights.

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-2.6	FLUX 3 Image Klein
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better	1,329	n/a
Arena rank	Rank 4 of 22	n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating	34,596	n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100	52	71
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition	39	86
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details	84	43
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency	44	82
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization	40	74
API price
Per imagelower is better	$0.039	n/a
100 images	$3.89	n/a
Profile
Released	Jul 31, 2026	Oct 15, 2026
Weightsopen means: runs locally	proprietary	open
Lifecycle	Preview in Microsoft Foundry	no notice
Access	API	API, local
Parameters	not published	5.6 billion
Largest output	2,359,296 pixels	4K
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model	n/a	n/a

API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.

Sources: MAI-Image-2.6 model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026) · FLUX 3 Image Klein model 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-2.6 and FLUX 3 Image Klein from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

Compare another matchup

First image modelSecond image model

More matchups

Compare MAI-Image-2.6 and FLUX 3 Image Klein with other important image models.

View the complete image model comparison

Same prompt, two images

The numbers at a glance

MAI-Image-2.6

FLUX 3 Image Klein

All data side by side

Arena ratings by category

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

Compare another matchup

Related image model comparisons