Image model vs image model
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 vs Qwen-Image
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 83% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 1.7× less ($0.034 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
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 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 Gemini Nano Banana 2.1. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over Qwen-Image’s about 83% of the time
- you mostly edit pictures: it scores higher in the editing arena (Elo 1151 against 889)
Pick Qwen-Image if
- price matters: 100 images cost $2.00, against $3.36 with Gemini Nano Banana 2.1
- you want open weights you can run yourself
The specs
| Spec | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | Qwen-Image |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.034 | $0.02 ($0.03 per edit) |
| 100 images | $3.36 | $2.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 1176 ±12 (#4 in the arena) | 903 ±18 (#83 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 1151 ±13 (#5 in the arena) | 889 ±20 (#69 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 6,210 | 2,339 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | 4K | — |
| Open weights | No | Yes |
| Zero data retention | No | — |
| Lab | Alibaba | |
| Official name | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | Qwen-Image |
| Released | October 2026 | 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, Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 or Qwen-Image?
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 83% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 1.7× less ($0.034 against $0.02 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
Which is cheaper, Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 or Qwen-Image?
Qwen-Image: $0.02 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.034 for Gemini Nano Banana 2.1. 100 images cost $2.00 and $3.36.
Can Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 and Qwen-Image edit images?
Yes, both can change a picture you upload. In the Artificial Analysis editing arena Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 has an Elo of 1151 and Qwen-Image 889.
How can I compare Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 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.