Image model vs image model
GPT Image 1 Mini vs Qwen-Image
People picked GPT Image 1 Mini’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 55% of the time in blind votes, and it costs 2.3× less: ≈$0.009 against $0.02 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
GPT Image 1 Mini 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 GPT Image 1 Mini. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick GPT Image 1 Mini if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over Qwen-Image’s about 55% of the time
- price matters: 100 images cost $0.86, against $2.00 with Qwen-Image
- you mostly edit pictures: it scores higher in the editing arena (Elo 934 against 889)
Pick Qwen-Image if
- you want open weights you can run yourself
The specs
| Spec | GPT Image 1 Mini | Qwen-Image |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | ≈$0.009 (estimated, medium quality) | $0.02 ($0.03 per edit) |
| 100 images | $0.86 | $2.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 936 ±17 (#71 in the arena) | 903 ±18 (#83 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 934 ±19 (#63 in the arena) | 889 ±20 (#69 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 2,333 | 2,339 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | Yes |
| Zero data retention | No | — |
| Lab | OpenAI | Alibaba |
| Official name | GPT Image 1 Mini | Qwen-Image |
| Released | October 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, GPT Image 1 Mini or Qwen-Image?
People picked GPT Image 1 Mini’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 55% of the time in blind votes, and it costs 2.3× less: ≈$0.009 against $0.02 an image.
Which is cheaper, GPT Image 1 Mini or Qwen-Image?
GPT Image 1 Mini: ≈$0.009 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.02 for Qwen-Image. 100 images cost $0.86 and $2.00. GPT Image 1 Mini is billed per token, so its price is an estimate at medium quality.
Can GPT Image 1 Mini and Qwen-Image edit images?
Yes, both can change a picture you upload. In the Artificial Analysis editing arena GPT Image 1 Mini has an Elo of 934 and Qwen-Image 889.
How can I compare GPT Image 1 Mini 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.