Image model vs image model
Qwen-Image vs Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro
People picked Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 66% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 11× less ($0.02 against $0.21 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
Qwen-Image Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Text to image · 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 Qwen-Image. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick Qwen-Image if
- price matters: 100 images cost $2.00, against $21.00 with Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro
- you need to edit pictures you upload; Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro only makes new ones here
- you want open weights you can run yourself
Pick Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro if
- you want the better picture: in blind votes people chose its image over Qwen-Image’s about 66% of the time
The specs
| Spec | Qwen-Image | Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.02 ($0.03 per edit) | $0.21 |
| 100 images | $2.00 | $21.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 903 ±18 (#83 in the arena) | 1017 ±9 (#37 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | 889 ±20 (#69 in the arena) | Not scored yet |
| Arena votes | 2,339 | 15,414 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | No |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | Yes | No |
| Zero data retention | — | No |
| Lab | Alibaba | Recraft |
| Official name | Qwen-Image | Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro |
| Released | August 2025 | May 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, Qwen-Image or Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro?
People picked Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro’s picture over Qwen-Image’s about 66% of the time in blind votes. Qwen-Image costs 11× less ($0.02 against $0.21 an image), so it wins when “good enough” will do.
Which is cheaper, Qwen-Image or Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro?
Qwen-Image: $0.02 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.21 for Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro. 100 images cost $2.00 and $21.00.
Can Qwen-Image and Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro edit images?
Qwen-Image can change a picture you upload. Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro only makes new pictures from a prompt here.
How can I compare Qwen-Image and Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro 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.