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

Imagen 3 vs FLUX1.1 [pro]

Preferred for text to image: Imagen 3 · Newest: Imagen 3 · Image editing: Neither edits images. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Google

    Imagen 3

    Released Oct 15, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,057
    • From$0.04/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Imagen 3

  2. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX1.1 [pro]

    Released Oct 2, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,016
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX1.1 [pro]

  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 imageImagen 3Imagen 3 1,057 (#65) · FLUX1.1 [pro] 1,016 (#73) — blind human votes
  • NewestImagen 3Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024 · FLUX1.1 [pro] Oct 2, 2024
  • Widest inputsSame inputsImagen 3: Text prompts · FLUX1.1 [pro]: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: Imagen 3 no · FLUX1.1 [pro] no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachImagen 3: 1 · FLUX1.1 [pro]: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Imagen 3 vs FLUX1.1 [pro] specifications side by side
SpecificationImagen 3GoogleFLUX1.1 [pro]Black Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,057 ±3#65 of 82 · 359,756 votes (best)1,016 ±3#73 of 82 · 70,460 votes
Price
Starting price$0.04/image standard—
How it is billedPer image—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedOct 15, 2024Oct 2, 2024
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Imagen 3 or FLUX1.1 [pro]?

For text to image, voters prefer Imagen 3 (Imagen 3 1,057 (#65) · FLUX1.1 [pro] 1,016 (#73)). 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?

Imagen 3 costs from $0.04/image (standard). FLUX1.1 [pro] has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Imagen 3 and FLUX1.1 [pro]?

Imagen 3 is an image model from Google (Oct 15, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images. FLUX1.1 [pro] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Oct 2, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024; FLUX1.1 [pro] Oct 2, 2024.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Imagen 3 no; FLUX1.1 [pro] 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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