Image model vs image model
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 vs Qwen Image 3
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over Qwen Image 3’s about 65% of the time in blind votes, and it costs 1.2× less: $0.034 against $0.04 an image.
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 3
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 57 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 3’s about 65% of the time
- price matters: 100 images cost $3.36, against $4.00 with Qwen Image 3
- you mostly edit pictures: it scores higher in the editing arena (Elo 1151 against 1068)
The specs
| Spec | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | Qwen Image 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.034 | $0.04 |
| 100 images | $3.36 | $4.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 1176 ±12 (#4 in the arena) | 1070 ±12 (#18 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 1151 ±13 (#5 in the arena) | 1068 ±13 (#29 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 6,210 | 6,090 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | 4K | — |
| Open weights | No | No |
| Zero data retention | No | — |
| Lab | Alibaba | |
| Official name | Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 | Qwen Image 3 |
| Released | October 2026 | July 2026 |
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 3?
People picked Gemini Nano Banana 2.1’s picture over Qwen Image 3’s about 65% of the time in blind votes, and it costs 1.2× less: $0.034 against $0.04 an image.
Which is cheaper, Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 or Qwen Image 3?
Gemini Nano Banana 2.1: $0.034 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.04 for Qwen Image 3. 100 images cost $3.36 and $4.00.
Can Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 and Qwen Image 3 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 3 1068.
How can I compare Gemini Nano Banana 2.1 and Qwen Image 3 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.