MAI-Image-2.6vs.Muse Image
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. In the arena, MAI-Image-2.6 leads. MAI-Image-2.6 costs 3.9 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 slightly 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-2.6: 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
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-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69
Muse Image image SHA 256: 356427fe1ec15a444aae4eab2194344c7fe6b17ef205a8db16c1d64dbacb750e
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
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-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef
Muse Image image SHA 256: c8b096001990f57cb5225f6387485b391a4a5e3c3031e7b0524a4c19e1e01bc8
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
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-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb
Muse Image image SHA 256: 0cb5d4c3dbe33c840ba87f0e8af255deec9e7e02eb6c7f172310af433e78fdb6
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
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-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47
Muse Image image SHA 256: b8232890082d6bdd72dd7be99d98a573566a2c62f94597ecdda2bd9110e2e143
The numbers at a glance
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 4 of 21
Muse Image
Rank 7 of 21
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 28 of 108
Muse Image
Rank 4 of 108
MAI-Image-2.6
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-2.6
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.
Muse Image
- Subscription
- Free to use at Meta (Meta AI Free). Through other providers from ≈ €9.54 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 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 | Muse Image |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,331 | 1,268 |
| Arena rank | Rank 4 of 21 | Rank 7 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 38,071 | 57,568 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 68 | 78 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 62 | 86 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 88 | 81 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 63 | 61 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 61 | 86 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.039 | $0.01 |
| 100 images | $3.89 | $1 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | Jul 31, 2026 | Jul 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 | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | n/a | 6 |
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) · 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 6, 2026 · LMArena from Nov 6, 2026
All individual values with sources
| Rating | MAI-Image-2.6 | Muse Image | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,168 | 1,128 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,149 | 1,128 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,324 | 1,238 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Agentic image generation | 1,316 | 1,235 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,338 | 1,259 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,349 | 1,275 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,333 | 1,258 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,331 | 1,268 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,331 | 1,278 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,342 | 1,290 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,366 | 1,293 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Agentic image generation | 1,418 | 1,382 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,426 | 1,399 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
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