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

FLUX.2 [max] vs Recraft V4

Preferred for text to image: FLUX.2 [max] · Newest: Recraft V4 · Widest inputs: FLUX.2 [max]. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX.2 [max]

    Released Dec 16, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,261
    • From$0.07/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX.2 [max]

  2. Recraft

    Recraft V4

    Released Feb 17, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,115
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4

  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.

  • Preferred for text to imageFLUX.2 [max]FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) · Recraft V4 1,115 (#50) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V4FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025 · Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026
  • Widest inputsFLUX.2 [max]FLUX.2 [max]: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4: Text prompts
  • Image editingFLUX.2 [max]Takes a reference image as input: FLUX.2 [max] yes · Recraft V4 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachFLUX.2 [max]: 1 · Recraft V4: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

FLUX.2 [max] vs Recraft V4 specifications side by side
SpecificationFLUX.2 [max]Black Forest LabsRecraft V4Recraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,161 ±4#28 of 82 · 123,144 votes (best)1,115 ±3#50 of 82 · 149,367 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,261 ±3#35 of 61 · 375,796 votes—
Price
Starting price$0.07/image 1 MP—
How it is billedBilled per megapixel.—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per requestUp to 1—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Max reference images8—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedDec 16, 2025Feb 17, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, FLUX.2 [max] or Recraft V4?

For text to image, voters prefer FLUX.2 [max] (FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) · Recraft V4 1,115 (#50)). Arena scores come from blind, side-by-side human votes on the same prompts; when the gap is inside both models’ error margins we call it a tie. Test your own prompts before you commit.

Which is cheaper?

FLUX.2 [max] costs from $0.07/image (1 MP). Recraft V4 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between FLUX.2 [max] and Recraft V4?

FLUX.2 [max] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Dec 16, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Recraft V4 is an image model from Recraft (Feb 17, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025; Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: FLUX.2 [max] yes; Recraft V4 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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