Image model vs image model
FLUX.1 Schnell vs FLUX.1 Kontext Max
People picked FLUX.1 Kontext Max’s picture over FLUX.1 Schnell’s about 75% of the time in blind votes. FLUX.1 Schnell costs 27× less ($0.003 against $0.08 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
At a glance
Longer bar means the bigger number. Elo bars start at 800.
Blind votes · how often people would pick each picture
FLUX.1 Schnell FLUX.1 Kontext Max
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Text to image · arena Elo, higher is better
Where they sit among all 56 image models
Up and to the left is better pictures for less money. Hover or tap a dot for its numbers, then click it to compare that model with FLUX.1 Schnell. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick FLUX.1 Schnell if
- price matters: 100 images cost $0.30, against $8.00 with FLUX.1 Kontext Max
- you want open weights you can run yourself
Pick FLUX.1 Kontext Max if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over FLUX.1 Schnell’s about 75% of the time
- you need to edit pictures you upload; FLUX.1 Schnell only makes new ones here
The specs
| Spec | FLUX.1 Schnell | FLUX.1 Kontext Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.003 | $0.08 |
| 100 images | $0.30 | $8.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 740 ±20 (#104 in the arena) | 929 ±12 (#76 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | Not scored yet | 932 ±19 (#64 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 3,045 | 5,276 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | No | Yes |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | Yes | No |
| Zero data retention | — | No |
| Lab | Black Forest Labs | Black Forest Labs |
| Official name | FLUX.1 [schnell] | FLUX.1 Kontext Max |
| Released | August 2024 | May 2025 |
Elo ± is the 95% margin. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway and fal.ai.
Questions
Which is better, FLUX.1 Schnell or FLUX.1 Kontext Max?
People picked FLUX.1 Kontext Max’s picture over FLUX.1 Schnell’s about 75% of the time in blind votes. FLUX.1 Schnell costs 27× less ($0.003 against $0.08 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
Which is cheaper, FLUX.1 Schnell or FLUX.1 Kontext Max?
FLUX.1 Schnell: $0.003 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.08 for FLUX.1 Kontext Max. 100 images cost $0.30 and $8.00.
Can FLUX.1 Schnell and FLUX.1 Kontext Max edit images?
FLUX.1 Kontext Max can change a picture you upload. FLUX.1 Schnell only makes new pictures from a prompt here.
How can I compare FLUX.1 Schnell and FLUX.1 Kontext Max myself?
Open the comparison, type one prompt and both models draw it side by side, each with what it cost and how long it took. You sign up with Google before your first run, and new accounts start with free credit.
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Where the numbers come from
Quality scores are Elo ratings from the Artificial Analysis image arenas, where people vote between two pictures made from the same prompt without knowing which model made which. The vote split comes from the Elo gap. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway and fal.ai; models billed per token are estimated at the quality the arena scored. The sample pictures are our own runs. Updated October 25, 2026.