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

Imagen 3 vs Recraft V3

Preferred for text to image: Imagen 3 · Newest: Recraft V3 · 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. Recraft

    Recraft V3

    Released Oct 30, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,022
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V3

  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) · Recraft V3 1,022 (#72) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V3Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024 · Recraft V3 Oct 30, 2024
  • Widest inputsSame inputsImagen 3: Text prompts · Recraft V3: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: Imagen 3 no · Recraft V3 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachImagen 3: 1 · Recraft V3: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Imagen 3 vs Recraft V3 specifications side by side
SpecificationImagen 3GoogleRecraft V3Recraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,057 ±3#65 of 82 · 359,756 votes (best)1,022 ±4#72 of 82 · 195,600 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 30, 2024
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Imagen 3 or Recraft V3?

For text to image, voters prefer Imagen 3 (Imagen 3 1,057 (#65) · Recraft V3 1,022 (#72)). 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). Recraft V3 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 Recraft V3?

Imagen 3 is an image model from Google (Oct 15, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images. Recraft V3 is an image model from Recraft (Oct 30, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024; Recraft V3 Oct 30, 2024.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Imagen 3 no; Recraft V3 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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