ZMIME
Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

FLUX.1 Kontext Max vs Ideogram v2a

Newest: FLUX.1 Kontext Max · Widest inputs: FLUX.1 Kontext Max · Image editing: FLUX.1 Kontext Max. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX.1 Kontext Max

    Released May 29, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,182
    • From—
    • Max size—
  2. Ideogram

    Ideogram v2a

    Released Feb 27, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
  3. Add a model

    Make it a three-way comparison.

01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • NewestFLUX.1 Kontext MaxFLUX.1 Kontext Max May 29, 2025 · Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025
  • Widest inputsFLUX.1 Kontext MaxFLUX.1 Kontext Max: Text prompts, Reference images · Ideogram v2a: Text prompts
  • Image editingFLUX.1 Kontext MaxTakes a reference image as input: FLUX.1 Kontext Max yes · Ideogram v2a no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachFLUX.1 Kontext Max: 1 · Ideogram v2a: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

FLUX.1 Kontext Max vs Ideogram v2a specifications side by side
SpecificationFLUX.1 Kontext MaxBlack Forest LabsIdeogram v2aIdeogram
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,075 ±3#61 of 82 · 65,501 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,182 ±3#52 of 61 · 390,855 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedMay 29, 2025Feb 27, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, FLUX.1 Kontext Max or Ideogram v2a?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

What is the difference between FLUX.1 Kontext Max and Ideogram v2a?

FLUX.1 Kontext Max is an image model from Black Forest Labs (May 29, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Ideogram v2a is an image model from Ideogram (Feb 27, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

FLUX.1 Kontext Max May 29, 2025; Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: FLUX.1 Kontext Max yes; Ideogram v2a no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.