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

GPT Image 2 vs Recraft V4.1 Utility

Newest: Recraft V4.1 Utility · Widest inputs: GPT Image 2 · Image editing: GPT Image 2. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  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. Recraft

    Recraft V4.1 Utility

    Released May 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4.1 Utility

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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.

  • NewestRecraft V4.1 UtilityGPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026 · Recraft V4.1 Utility May 14, 2026
  • Widest inputsGPT Image 2GPT Image 2: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4.1 Utility: Text prompts
  • Image editingGPT Image 2Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes · Recraft V4.1 Utility no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT Image 2GPT Image 2: 9 · Recraft V4.1 Utility: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 2 vs Recraft V4.1 Utility specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT Image 2OpenAIRecraft V4.1 UtilityRecraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,381 ±4#3 of 82 · 103,385 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,460 ±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 billedBilled per token; measured cost of one square image at each quality setting.—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per requestUp to 10—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Max reference images16—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API model IDgpt-image-2—
API hosts9 (best)1
ReleasedApr 21, 2026May 14, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 2 or Recraft V4.1 Utility?

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.

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 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?

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 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 May 14, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2 yes; Recraft V4.1 Utility 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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