Recraft V4.1 Utilityvs.FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

Which one is better?

In our own test, Recraft V4.1 Utility leads. Neither is in the arena. FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] has no API price.

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

Recraft V4.1 Utility: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — Recraft V4.1 Utility91 out of 100

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run — FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]14 out of 100

Result for “Typography and layout”:Recraft V4.1 Utility 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

Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:37 PM. Source

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=1661036738, Fal schema has no resolution field; official 1:1 example returns 1024x1024, estimated cost $0.040000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:02 PM. Source

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

Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: d2ba0b86ed4214659720cdcf68ff09ca748700a32afc3d25808b6a3af74223f2

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] image SHA 256: a2b5cfe16c918f33c56d04a35a8cea5433ea17db1f41ab3f3ccefdc20791a3d1

Infographic

Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:38 PM. Source

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=261169301, Fal schema has no resolution field; official 1:1 example returns 1024x1024, estimated cost $0.040000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:02 PM. Source

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

Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 7d383a257e5152b2781a6e5a78edd54fe55900dfb2580f85078f8142b63194c5

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] image SHA 256: 8ec7449c0fd1b68f984aaa28dda6cb4d74a053cd88af42c10d79fac31980ffbe

Product photography

Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:37 PM. Source

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=3307245438, Fal schema has no resolution field; official 1:1 example returns 1024x1024, estimated cost $0.040000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:02 PM. Source

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

Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 7fd9cfe67371d0fecc6d605105ca777bec170d4d4e8dcad5b4f15f813e21c1ab

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] image SHA 256: 367531e667dd9156abe9666dc571fc122174a66788d726b2b4ab06d9c8226d9d

Typography and layout

Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]: fal, aspect ratio 1:1, n=1, seed=4284980986, Fal schema has no resolution field; official 1:1 example returns 1024x1024, estimated cost $0.040000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:02 PM. Source

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

Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 3aa0bc86cccfd2140ba4f5606f1f814a5a6ded23cb06b7aebe26f8dcf946a752

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] image SHA 256: d14a3243cc28d6996fd549722f34d49227f278151c441fa635f955e1c8140414

The numbers at a glance

Arena ratingfrom votes by users · higher is better

n/a

Recraft V4.1 Utility

not in the arena

n/a

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

not in the arena

GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 · higher is better

Recraft V4.1 Utility

Rank 23 of 74

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

Rank 57 of 74

Price per imagedollars through the API · lower is better

$0.035

Recraft V4.1 Utility

fairly cheap

n/a

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

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.

Recraft V4.1 Utility

Subscription: Free to use at Recraft (Recraft Free, with limited credits), more from ≈ €12.78 a month (Recraft Basic, with limited credits). 4 plans in Germany.
Via API: $0.035 per image, 100 images $3.50.

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

Subscription: No Black Forest Labs subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €6.39 a month (ElevenLabs Starter, with limited credits). 23 plans in Germany.
Via API: No API price known. Access: API.
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 · 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	Recraft V4.1 Utility	FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]
Ratings
Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better	n/a	n/a
Arena rank	n/a	n/a
Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating	n/a	n/a
GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100	62	31
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition	91	14
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details	30	21
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency	79	55
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization	49	33
API price
Per imagelower is better	$0.035	n/a
100 images	$3.50	n/a
Profile
Released	May 2026	n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locally	proprietary	unknown
Lifecycle	no notice	Edit-first model line; API also supports image creation from text, but the main GraduallyBench tasks are not edit-based
Access	API, Web app	API
Parameters	not published	not published
Largest output	1 Megapixel	not consistently published
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model	4	23

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

Sources: Recraft V4.1 Utility model source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] 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 Recraft V4.1 Utility and FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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More matchups

Compare Recraft V4.1 Utility and FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] with other important image models.

View the complete image model comparison

Same prompt, two images

The numbers at a glance

Recraft V4.1 Utility

FLUX.1 Kontext [pro]

All data side by side

Arena ratings by category

No shared arena score in the stored snapshot

Compare another matchup

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