Qwen-Image-2.1vs.Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
Which one is better?
We have not tested Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 ourselves yet. Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 has no arena rating yet. Neither has an API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each.
No image from the four fixed tasks for Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 yet.This model does not yet have a complete GraduallyBench run.
Result for “Typography and layout”:only Qwen-Image-2.1 tested
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.
Missing image run for Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
This model does not yet have a complete GraduallyBench run. Run the missing fixed tasks, archive the first output of each, and evaluate them blind.
DocumentationThe numbers at a glance
Qwen-Image-2.1
Rank 14 of 22
Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
not in the arena
Qwen-Image-2.1
Rank 37 of 74
Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
not tested yet
Qwen-Image-2.1
no API price
Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
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.
Qwen-Image-2.1
- Subscription
- No Alibaba subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €9.59 a month (Krea Basic, with limited credits). 5 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: local, Web app.
- License
- Open weights, Qwen Research License: non-commercial use only; commercial use requires a separate license.
Stable Diffusion XL 1.0
- 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 · 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 | Qwen-Image-2.1 | Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,225 | n/a |
| Arena rank | Rank 14 of 22 | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 19,604 | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 56 | n/a |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 50 | n/a |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 72 | n/a |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 21 | n/a |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 82 | n/a |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | n/a | n/a |
| 100 images | n/a | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | Sep 20, 2026 | n/a |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | openQwen Research License: non-commercial use only; commercial use requires a separate license | open |
| Lifecycle | no notice | Older open checkpoint; provider still lists it in its legacy model overview |
| Access | local, Web app | API, local |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2K | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 5 | n/a |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: Qwen-Image-2.1 model source, status source (verified Sep 22, 2026) · Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 model source, status 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 Qwen-Image-2.1 and Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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