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MiniMax Image-01vs.Runway Gen-4 Image

Which one is better?

In our own test, Runway Gen-4 Image leads. Neither is in the arena. Neither has an API price.

Same prompt, two images

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

MiniMax Image-01: Infographic, first image from the fixed test run
MiniMax Image-018 out of 100
Runway Gen-4 Image: Infographic, first image from the fixed test run
Runway Gen-4 Image27 out of 100

Result for “Infographic”:Runway Gen-4 Image slightly ahead

Prompt given to both modelsCreate a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

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

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

MiniMax Image-01: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 PM. Source

Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting u 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:33 PM. Source

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

MiniMax Image-01 image SHA 256: b99793e66d1eb69880872d1865f25456b6588dc658aa46906b7636da46f63320

Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 1235971dc0ffbe1e82ce305c9e7608d10a9b604697ec359a332cd4f2d931db71

Infographic

MiniMax Image-01: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 PM. Source

Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:33 PM. Source

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

MiniMax Image-01 image SHA 256: 31b08957fb9eda45525c50935fd332cdbe5a5150a4ed57dead5254e667b2b0de

Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 13955a0ff71a8e54cde4d84a78ace5dba2bc64b8df79c939bffabca22620480c

Product photography

MiniMax Image-01: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:43 PM. Source

Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:31 PM. Source

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

MiniMax Image-01 image SHA 256: a8986bd9a5e8262b5705f8a7ba5259968371a3bc8e14394b992736f59e45385b

Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 24a4b7e7c9ac88d5e5c7a508aca6c7de29c4ca9e55c0d17623005dbe3e6aaadd

Typography and layout

MiniMax Image-01: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=provider random, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 PM. Source

Runway Gen-4 Image: manual, 1:1, one request, first output (first top-left candidate of native batch), exact UI model Runway Gen-4 Image, provider-default random seed, native resolution provider default, fast mode not offered, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show 715099.png, source 1080x1080, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 10:31 PM. Source

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

MiniMax Image-01 image SHA 256: 020129f518174bf171032cc5cb7b2234782f4e1d7b1e685d473388094630a107

Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 73ca9e031f19143e8227ccfb5d651cd72eed23184d7cf7b980890310d55f7a8d

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better
n/a

MiniMax Image-01

not in the arena

n/a

Runway Gen-4 Image

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better
16

MiniMax Image-01

Rank 71 of 74

25

Runway Gen-4 Image

Rank 61 of 74

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better
n/a

MiniMax Image-01

no API price

n/a

Runway Gen-4 Image

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.

MiniMax Image-01

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API.
Weights
unknown.

Runway Gen-4 Image

Subscription
No Runway subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.39 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 19 plans in Germany.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API, Web app.
Weights
unknown.

Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.

GraduallyBench from Nov 1, 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.

KennzahlMiniMax Image-01Runway Gen-4 Image
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is bettern/an/a
Arena rankn/an/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer ratingn/an/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 1001625
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition1932
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details1220
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency2322
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization827
API price
Per imagelower is bettern/an/a
100 imagesn/an/a
Profile
ReleasedFeb 28, 2025n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locallyunknownunknown
AccessAPIAPI, Web app
Parametersnot publishednot published
Largest outputnot consistently publishednot consistently published
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this modeln/a19

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

Sources: MiniMax Image-01 model source (verified Nov 1, 2026) · Runway Gen-4 Image 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 MiniMax Image-01 and Runway Gen-4 Image from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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