GPT Image 2 vs Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro
Preferred for text to image: GPT Image 2 · Newest: Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro · Widest inputs: GPT Image 2. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.
OpenAIGPT Image 2
- Arena1,460
- From$0.006/image
- Max size—
RecraftRecraft V4.1 Utility Pro
- Arena1,168
- From—
- Max size—
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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) · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro 1,168 (#26) — blind human votes
- NewestRecraft V4.1 Utility ProGPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026 · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro May 14, 2026
- Widest inputsGPT Image 2GPT Image 2: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro: Text prompts
- Image editingGPT Image 2Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro no
- Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
- Most API hostsGPT Image 2GPT Image 2: 9 · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro: 1
Every spec in one table
Dashes mean the data is not published.
| Specification | GPT Image 2OpenAI | Recraft V4.1 Utility ProRecraft |
|---|---|---|
| Quality (blind human votes) | ||
| Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better | 1,381 ±4#3 of 82 · 103,385 votes (best) | 1,168 ±11#26 of 82 · 2,618 votes |
| Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better | 1,460 ±3#4 of 61 · 336,785 votes | — |
| Price | ||
| Starting price | $0.006/image 1024×1024, low | — |
| Top price | $0.211/image 1024×1024, high | — |
| How it is billed | Billed per token; measured cost of one square image at each quality setting. | — |
| Output | ||
| Produces | Images | Images |
| Images per request | Up to 10 | — |
| Inputs | ||
| Text prompts | Yes | Yes |
| Reference images (editing) | Yes | No |
| Max reference images | 16 | — |
| Access | ||
| Weights | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| API model ID | gpt-image-2 | — |
| API hosts | 9 (best) | 1 |
| Released | Apr 21, 2026 | May 14, 2026 |
Which should you choose?
Which is better, GPT Image 2 or Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro?
For text to image, voters prefer GPT Image 2 (GPT Image 2 1,381 (#3) · Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro 1,168 (#26)). 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). Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.
What is the difference between GPT Image 2 and Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro?
GPT Image 2 is an image model from OpenAI (Apr 21, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro is an image model from Recraft (May 14, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images.
Which is newer?
GPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026; Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro May 14, 2026.
Which can edit an existing image?
Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes; Recraft V4.1 Utility Pro no.
Can I run any of these on my own hardware?
No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.
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