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

GPT Image 2 vs Nano Banana 2

Preferred for text to image: GPT Image 2 · Preferred for image editing: GPT Image 2 · Lowest entry price: GPT Image 2. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. OpenAI

    GPT Image 2

    Released Apr 21, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,460
    • From$0.006/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 2

  2. Google

    Nano Banana 2

    Released May 28, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,387
    • From$0.045/image
    • Max size4K
    Full specs Remove Nano Banana 2

  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 imageGPT Image 2GPT Image 2 1,381 (#3) · Nano Banana 2 1,257 (#11) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingGPT Image 2GPT Image 2 1,460 (#4) · Nano Banana 2 1,387 (#15) — blind human votes
  • Lowest entry priceGPT Image 2GPT Image 2 from $0.006/image (1024×1024, low) · Nano Banana 2 from $0.045/image (512)
  • NewestNano Banana 2GPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026 · Nano Banana 2 May 28, 2026
  • Widest inputsNano Banana 2GPT Image 2: Text prompts, Reference images · Nano Banana 2: Text prompts, Reference images, PDFs, Video
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes · Nano Banana 2 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsNano Banana 2GPT Image 2: 9 · Nano Banana 2: 13
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 2 vs Nano Banana 2 specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT Image 2OpenAINano Banana 2Google
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,381 ±4#3 of 82 · 103,385 votes (best)1,257 ±4#11 of 82 · 73,278 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,460 ±3#4 of 61 · 336,785 votes (best)1,387 ±3#15 of 61 · 262,911 votes
Price
Starting price$0.006/image 1024×1024, low (best)$0.045/image 512
Top price$0.211/image 1024×1024, high$0.15/image 4K
How it is billedBilled per token; measured cost of one square image at each quality setting.Billed per token; Google’s listed cost per image.
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions—512 · 1K · 2K · 4K
Highest resolution—4K
Largest image—4K (about 16 MP)
Images per requestUp to 10 (best)Up to 1
Text in the reply—Yes
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images16 (best)14
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API model IDgpt-image-2gemini-3.1-flash-image
API hosts913 (best)
ReleasedApr 21, 2026May 28, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 2 or Nano Banana 2?

For text to image, voters prefer GPT Image 2 (GPT Image 2 1,381 (#3) · Nano Banana 2 1,257 (#11)). For image editing, voters prefer GPT Image 2 (GPT Image 2 1,460 (#4) · Nano Banana 2 1,387 (#15)). 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?

GPT Image 2 costs from $0.006/image (1024×1024, low), up to $0.211/image (1024×1024, high); Nano Banana 2 costs from $0.045/image (512), up to $0.15/image (4K). Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between GPT Image 2 and Nano Banana 2?

GPT Image 2 is an image model from OpenAI (Apr 21, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Nano Banana 2 is an image model from Google (May 28, 2026), taking text prompts, reference images, pdfs and video and producing images.

Which is newer?

GPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026; Nano Banana 2 May 28, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes; Nano Banana 2 yes.

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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