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

GPT Image 1 vs Ideogram v2a

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

  1. OpenAI

    GPT Image 1

    Released Apr 24, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,139
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 1

  2. Ideogram

    Ideogram v2a

    Released Feb 27, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Ideogram v2a

  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.

  • NewestGPT Image 1GPT Image 1 Apr 24, 2025 · Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025
  • Widest inputsGPT Image 1GPT Image 1: Text prompts, Reference images · Ideogram v2a: Text prompts
  • Image editingGPT Image 1Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 yes · Ideogram v2a no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT Image 1GPT Image 1: 4 · Ideogram v2a: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 1 vs Ideogram v2a specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT Image 1OpenAIIdeogram v2aIdeogram
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,115 ±3#49 of 82 · 268,430 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,139 ±3#57 of 61 · 2,869,681 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts4 (best)1
ReleasedApr 24, 2025Feb 27, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 1 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 GPT Image 1 and Ideogram v2a?

GPT Image 1 is an image model from OpenAI (Apr 24, 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?

GPT Image 1 Apr 24, 2025; Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 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.

04 — Keep comparing

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