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

Ideogram v2a vs Imagen 4

Newest: Imagen 4 · Image editing: Neither edits images · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Ideogram

    Ideogram v2a

    Released Feb 27, 2025

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

  2. Google

    Imagen 4

    Released May 22, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,128
    • From$0.04/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Imagen 4

  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.

  • NewestImagen 4Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025 · Imagen 4 May 22, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsIdeogram v2a: Text prompts · Imagen 4: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: Ideogram v2a no · Imagen 4 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachIdeogram v2a: 1 · Imagen 4: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Ideogram v2a vs Imagen 4 specifications side by side
SpecificationIdeogram v2aIdeogramImagen 4Google
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,128 ±3#43 of 82 · 539,657 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.04/image standard
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedFeb 27, 2025May 22, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Ideogram v2a or Imagen 4?

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?

Imagen 4 costs from $0.04/image (standard). Ideogram v2a has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Ideogram v2a and Imagen 4?

Ideogram v2a is an image model from Ideogram (Feb 27, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images. Imagen 4 is an image model from Google (May 22, 2025), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Ideogram v2a Feb 27, 2025; Imagen 4 May 22, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Ideogram v2a no; Imagen 4 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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