MAI-Image-2.6vs.Grok Imagine Image 2.0
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. In the arena, MAI-Image-2.6 leads. Grok Imagine Image 2.0 costs 1.5 times as much per image.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Product photography”:MAI-Image-2.6 ahead
What the rating looks at: Materials, reflections, and fine details.
“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-2.6: 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
Grok Imagine Image 2.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, quality medium, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:46 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69
Grok Imagine Image 2.0 image SHA 256: 95148f93193910361a680d5cff305d51bb06d967cb8b35e7ec732bd8501beccc
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
Grok Imagine Image 2.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, quality medium, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:47 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef
Grok Imagine Image 2.0 image SHA 256: 732d7d3978293b5acd7aba0ec8534056bfa9bd5f6d2024c5eb7275d5bf203ba6
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
Grok Imagine Image 2.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, quality medium, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:45 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb
Grok Imagine Image 2.0 image SHA 256: 57f2809d2dc95671f5207c2cfc25f629c05be17edfe9bf87ca42d3d33119200e
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
Grok Imagine Image 2.0: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, quality medium, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.060000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:44 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47
Grok Imagine Image 2.0 image SHA 256: 4dae1c4c90d277eed2983780d71f40b4758238ea15a020047c1329fb220e5b51
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 4 of 21
Grok Imagine Image 2.0
Rank 5 of 21
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 28 of 108
Grok Imagine Image 2.0
Rank 16 of 108
MAI-Image-2.6
fairly cheap
Grok Imagine Image 2.0
fairly 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-2.6
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.
Grok Imagine Image 2.0
- Subscription
- No xAI subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €15.90 a month (Runway Standard, with limited credits). 5 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.06 per image, 100 images $6.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
Arena rating (LMArena) from Nov 6, 2026 · GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 6, 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-2.6 | Grok Imagine Image 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,331 | 1,317 |
| Arena rank | Rank 4 of 21 | Rank 5 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 38,071 | 10,830 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 68 | 73 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 62 | 71 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 88 | 68 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 63 | 75 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 61 | 77 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.039 | $0.06 |
| 100 images | $3.89 | $6 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | Jul 31, 2026 | Aug 7, 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Lifecycle | Preview in Microsoft Foundry | no notice |
| Access | API | API, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2,359,296 pixels | 2K |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | n/a | 5 |
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) · Grok Imagine Image 2.0 model source (verified Sep 28, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
Artificial Analysis from Nov 6, 2026 · LMArena from Nov 6, 2026
All individual values with sources
| Rating | MAI-Image-2.6 | Grok Imagine Image 2.0 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,168 | 1,166 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,149 | 1,116 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,324 | 1,291 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Agentic image generation | 1,316 | 1,287 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,338 | 1,328 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,349 | 1,352 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,333 | 1,325 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,331 | 1,317 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,331 | 1,312 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,342 | 1,332 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,366 | 1,349 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Agentic image generation | 1,418 | 1,426 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,426 | 1,438 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
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