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

GLM-Image vs FLUX.2 [max]

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

  1. Z.ai (Zhipu)

    GLM-Image

    Released Jan 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,012
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GLM-Image

  2. 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]

  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]GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) — blind human votes
  • NewestGLM-ImageGLM-Image Jan 14, 2026 · FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsGLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images · FLUX.2 [max]: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes · FLUX.2 [max] yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsSame reachGLM-Image: 1 · FLUX.2 [max]: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GLM-Image vs FLUX.2 [max] specifications side by side
SpecificationGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)FLUX.2 [max]Black Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes1,161 ±4#28 of 82 · 123,144 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,261 ±3#35 of 61 · 375,796 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.07/image 1 MP
How it is billed—Billed per megapixel.
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per request—Up to 1
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images—8
Access
WeightsOpenMITProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedJan 14, 2026Dec 16, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GLM-Image or FLUX.2 [max]?

For text to image, voters prefer FLUX.2 [max] (GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28)). 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). GLM-Image has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between GLM-Image and FLUX.2 [max]?

GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. FLUX.2 [max] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Dec 16, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026; FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes; FLUX.2 [max] yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

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