Image model vs image model
MAI-Image-2.6 vs Qwen Image 3
People picked MAI-Image-2.6’s picture over Qwen Image 3’s about 63% of the time in blind votes, and they cost about the same (≈$0.041 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
MAI-Image-2.6 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 MAI-Image-2.6. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick MAI-Image-2.6 if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over Qwen Image 3’s about 63% of the time
- you mostly edit pictures: it scores higher in the editing arena (Elo 1151 against 1068)
- your prompts mustn’t be stored: every provider that serves it promises zero data retention
The specs
| Spec | MAI-Image-2.6 | Qwen Image 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | ≈$0.041 (estimated, medium quality) | $0.04 |
| 100 images | $4.06 | $4.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 1166 ±12 (#5 in the arena) | 1070 ±12 (#18 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 1151 ±12 (#3 in the arena) | 1068 ±13 (#29 in the arena) |
| Arena votes | 8,342 | 6,090 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | Yes |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | No |
| Zero data retention | Yes | — |
| Lab | Microsoft AI | Alibaba |
| Official name | MAI-Image-2.6 | 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, MAI-Image-2.6 or Qwen Image 3?
People picked MAI-Image-2.6’s picture over Qwen Image 3’s about 63% of the time in blind votes, and they cost about the same (≈$0.041 against $0.04 an image).
Which is cheaper, MAI-Image-2.6 or Qwen Image 3?
They cost about the same: MAI-Image-2.6 ≈$0.041 and Qwen Image 3 $0.04 for a 1024×1024 image. MAI-Image-2.6 is billed per token, so its price is an estimate at medium quality.
Can MAI-Image-2.6 and Qwen Image 3 edit images?
Yes, both can change a picture you upload. In the Artificial Analysis editing arena MAI-Image-2.6 has an Elo of 1151 and Qwen Image 3 1068.
How can I compare MAI-Image-2.6 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.