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Stable Diffusion 3.5 Mediumvs.Stable Diffusion XL 1.0

Which one is better?

We have not tested Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 ourselves yet. Neither is in the arena. Neither has an API price.

Same prompt, two images

Same task, the first image of each.

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium: Typography and layout, first image from the fixed test run
Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium17 out of 100

No image from the four fixed tasks for Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 yet.This model does not yet have a complete GraduallyBench run.

Stable Diffusion XL 1.0not tested yet

Result for “Typography and layout”:only Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium tested

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.

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.

Documentation

The numbers at a glance

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium

not in the arena

n/a

Stable Diffusion XL 1.0

not in the arena

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium

Rank 69 of 74

n/a

Stable Diffusion XL 1.0

not tested yet

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

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium

no API price

n/a

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.

Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium

Subscription
n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
Via API
No API price known. Access: API, local.
License
Open weights.

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.

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.

KennzahlStable Diffusion 3.5 MediumStable Diffusion XL 1.0
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 10016n/a
GraduallyBench by task
Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition17n/a
Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details13n/a
Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency16n/a
InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization20n/a
API price
Per imagelower is bettern/an/a
100 imagesn/an/a
Profile
ReleasedOct 29, 2024n/a
Weightsopen means: runs locallyopenopen
Lifecycleno noticeOlder open checkpoint; provider still lists it in its legacy model overview
AccessAPI, localAPI, local
Parameters2.5 billionnot published
Largest outputnot consistently publishednot consistently published
Plans in Germanynaming exactly this modeln/an/a

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

Sources: Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium model source (verified Nov 1, 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 Stable Diffusion 3.5 Medium and Stable Diffusion XL 1.0 from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.

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