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

FLUX.1 Kontext Max vs Imagen 4 Fast

Newest: Imagen 4 Fast · 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—
    Full specs Remove FLUX.1 Kontext Max

  2. Google

    Imagen 4 Fast

    Released Jun 25, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From$0.02/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Imagen 4 Fast

  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.

  • NewestImagen 4 FastFLUX.1 Kontext Max May 29, 2025 · Imagen 4 Fast Jun 25, 2025
  • Widest inputsFLUX.1 Kontext MaxFLUX.1 Kontext Max: Text prompts, Reference images · Imagen 4 Fast: Text prompts
  • Image editingFLUX.1 Kontext MaxTakes a reference image as input: FLUX.1 Kontext Max yes · Imagen 4 Fast no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachFLUX.1 Kontext Max: 1 · Imagen 4 Fast: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

FLUX.1 Kontext Max vs Imagen 4 Fast specifications side by side
SpecificationFLUX.1 Kontext MaxBlack Forest LabsImagen 4 FastGoogle
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—
Price
Starting price—$0.02/image standard
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedMay 29, 2025Jun 25, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, FLUX.1 Kontext Max or Imagen 4 Fast?

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.

Which is cheaper?

Imagen 4 Fast costs from $0.02/image (standard). FLUX.1 Kontext Max has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between FLUX.1 Kontext Max and Imagen 4 Fast?

FLUX.1 Kontext Max is an image model from Black Forest Labs (May 29, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Imagen 4 Fast is an image model from Google (Jun 25, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

FLUX.1 Kontext Max May 29, 2025; Imagen 4 Fast Jun 25, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: FLUX.1 Kontext Max yes; Imagen 4 Fast no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

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

04 — Keep comparing

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