Z-Image Turbovs.Runway Gen-4 Image
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. 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.
Result for “Character and detail”:Z-Image Turbo slightly ahead
What the rating looks at: Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency.
“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
Z-Image Turbo: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=457367499, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:35 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
Z-Image Turbo image SHA 256: 5297796931ae8a9259947d2ee85881444a6408266aa7c9bc45d365b56bd11fe1
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 1235971dc0ffbe1e82ce305c9e7608d10a9b604697ec359a332cd4f2d931db71
Infographic
Z-Image Turbo: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=364147116, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:35 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
Z-Image Turbo image SHA 256: 2a0bbce06ee9f7e009876b2d9abc02657f7be5535cd79ab7f37df0bf61b141a8
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 13955a0ff71a8e54cde4d84a78ace5dba2bc64b8df79c939bffabca22620480c
Product photography
Z-Image Turbo: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=453185405, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:35 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
Z-Image Turbo image SHA 256: 16330b5b71c71290aaa2994dd589e5e2088712d286fddcee8046e56c300f124e
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 24a4b7e7c9ac88d5e5c7a508aca6c7de29c4ca9e55c0d17623005dbe3e6aaadd
Typography and layout
Z-Image Turbo: fal, requested 1024x1024, n=1, seed=249593273, prompt expansion disabled, estimated cost $0.010000, generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:35 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
Z-Image Turbo image SHA 256: 0a9ee8166b04fc677b96ca3f74d8fcf37657d812f81d3b94940092aa661dba50
Runway Gen-4 Image image SHA 256: 73ca9e031f19143e8227ccfb5d651cd72eed23184d7cf7b980890310d55f7a8d
The numbers at a glance
Z-Image Turbo
not in the arena
Runway Gen-4 Image
not in the arena
Z-Image Turbo
Rank 54 of 74
Runway Gen-4 Image
Rank 61 of 74
Z-Image Turbo
no API price
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.
Z-Image Turbo
- Subscription
- No Tongyi-MAI / Alibaba subscription includes this model. Through other providers from ≈ €12.78 a month (Recraft Basic, with limited credits). 3 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: API, local, Web app.
- License
- Open weights.
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.
| Kennzahl | Z-Image Turbo | Runway Gen-4 Image |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 37 | 25 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 54 | 32 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 28 | 20 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 46 | 22 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 21 | 27 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | n/a | n/a |
| 100 images | n/a | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | Nov 26, 2025 | n/a |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | open | unknown |
| Access | API, local, Web app | API, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2K | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 3 | 19 |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: Z-Image Turbo 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 Z-Image Turbo and Runway Gen-4 Image from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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