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

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 vs Qwen-Image 2.1

Preferred for text to image: Grok Imagine Image 2.0 · Preferred for image editing: Grok Imagine Image 2.0 · Newest: Qwen-Image 2.1. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. xAI

    Grok Imagine Image 2.0

    Released Aug 7, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,439
    • From$0.04/image
    • Max size2K
    Full specs Remove Grok Imagine Image 2.0

  2. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image 2.1

    Released Sep 14, 2026New

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,362
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image 2.1

  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 imageGrok Imagine Image 2.0Grok Imagine Image 2.0 1,317 (#6) · Qwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingGrok Imagine Image 2.0Grok Imagine Image 2.0 1,439 (#5) · Qwen-Image 2.1 1,362 (#20) — blind human votes
  • NewestQwen-Image 2.1Grok Imagine Image 2.0 Aug 7, 2026 · Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsGrok Imagine Image 2.0: Text prompts, Reference images · Qwen-Image 2.1: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Grok Imagine Image 2.0 yes · Qwen-Image 2.1 yes
  • Self-hostingQwen-Image 2.1Downloadable weights (qwen-research)
  • Most API hostsGrok Imagine Image 2.0Grok Imagine Image 2.0: 3 · Qwen-Image 2.1: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 vs Qwen-Image 2.1 specifications side by side
SpecificationGrok Imagine Image 2.0xAIQwen-Image 2.1Alibaba (Qwen)
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,317 ±7#6 of 82 · 10,902 votes (best)1,225 ±6#19 of 82 · 19,604 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,439 ±6#5 of 61 · 32,951 votes (best)1,362 ±6#20 of 61 · 39,412 votes
Price
Starting price$0.04/image 1K, low—
Top price$0.08/image 2K, medium—
Extra charges$0.01 per input image—
How it is billedPer image—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions1K · 1.5K · 2K—
Highest resolution2K—
Largest image2K—
Images per requestUp to 10—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images5—
Access
WeightsProprietaryOpenqwen-research
API hosts3 (best)1
ReleasedAug 7, 2026Sep 14, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Grok Imagine Image 2.0 or Qwen-Image 2.1?

For text to image, voters prefer Grok Imagine Image 2.0 (Grok Imagine Image 2.0 1,317 (#6) · Qwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19)). For image editing, voters prefer Grok Imagine Image 2.0 (Grok Imagine Image 2.0 1,439 (#5) · Qwen-Image 2.1 1,362 (#20)). 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?

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 costs from $0.04/image (1K, low), up to $0.08/image (2K, medium). Qwen-Image 2.1 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Grok Imagine Image 2.0 and Qwen-Image 2.1?

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 is an image model from xAI (Aug 7, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Qwen-Image 2.1 is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Sep 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Grok Imagine Image 2.0 Aug 7, 2026; Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Grok Imagine Image 2.0 yes; Qwen-Image 2.1 yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

Qwen-Image 2.1. Downloadable weights (qwen-research).

04 — Keep comparing

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