Image model vs image model
FLUX.1 Kontext Max vs Qwen-Image
People picked FLUX.1 Kontext Max’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 54% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 4× less ($0.08 against $0.02 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 Kontext Max Qwen-Image
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Text to image · arena Elo, higher is better
Editing · 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 Kontext Max. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick FLUX.1 Kontext Max if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over Qwen-Image’s about 54% of the time
- you mostly edit pictures: it scores higher in the editing arena (Elo 932 against 889)
Pick Qwen-Image if
- price matters: 100 images cost $2.00, against $8.00 with FLUX.1 Kontext Max
- you want open weights you can run yourself
The specs
| Spec | FLUX.1 Kontext Max | Qwen-Image |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.08 | $0.02 ($0.03 per edit) |
| 100 images | $8.00 | $2.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 929 ±12 (#76 in the arena) | 903 ±18 (#83 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 932 ±19 (#64 in the arena) | 889 ±20 (#69 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 5,276 | 2,339 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | Yes |
| Zero data retention | No | — |
| Lab | Black Forest Labs | Alibaba |
| Official name | FLUX.1 Kontext Max | Qwen-Image |
| Released | May 2025 | August 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 Kontext Max or Qwen-Image?
People picked FLUX.1 Kontext Max’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 54% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 4× less ($0.08 against $0.02 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
Which is cheaper, FLUX.1 Kontext Max or Qwen-Image?
Qwen-Image: $0.02 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.08 for FLUX.1 Kontext Max. 100 images cost $2.00 and $8.00.
Can FLUX.1 Kontext Max and Qwen-Image edit images?
Yes, both can change a picture you upload. In the Artificial Analysis editing arena FLUX.1 Kontext Max has an Elo of 932 and Qwen-Image 889.
How can I compare FLUX.1 Kontext Max and Qwen-Image 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.
Related comparisons
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.