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

Nano Banana 2.1 vs FLUX 3 Image

Newest: Nano Banana 2.1 · Widest inputs: Nano Banana 2.1 · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Google

    Nano Banana 2.1

    Released Oct 6, 2026New

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,427
    • From$0.034/image
    • Max size4K
    Full specs Remove Nano Banana 2.1

  2. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX 3 Image

    Released Oct 5, 2026New

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX 3 Image

  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.

  • NewestNano Banana 2.1Nano Banana 2.1 Oct 6, 2026 · FLUX 3 Image Oct 5, 2026
  • Widest inputsNano Banana 2.1Nano Banana 2.1: Text prompts, Reference images, Video · FLUX 3 Image: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Nano Banana 2.1 yes · FLUX 3 Image yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsNano Banana 2.1Nano Banana 2.1: 5 · FLUX 3 Image: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Nano Banana 2.1 vs FLUX 3 Image specifications side by side
SpecificationNano Banana 2.1GoogleFLUX 3 ImageBlack Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,325 ±9#5 of 82 · 5,290 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,427 ±6#7 of 61 · 12,956 votes—
Price
Starting price$0.034/image 1K—
Top price$0.113/image 4K—
How it is billedBilled per token; Google’s listed cost per image.—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions1K · 2K · 4K—
Highest resolution4K—
Largest image4K (about 16 MP)—
Images per requestUp to 1—
Text in the replyYes—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images14—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts5 (best)1
ReleasedOct 6, 2026Oct 5, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Nano Banana 2.1 or FLUX 3 Image?

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?

Nano Banana 2.1 costs from $0.034/image (1K), up to $0.113/image (4K). FLUX 3 Image has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Nano Banana 2.1 and FLUX 3 Image?

Nano Banana 2.1 is an image model from Google (Oct 6, 2026), taking text prompts, reference images and video and producing images. FLUX 3 Image is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Oct 5, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Nano Banana 2.1 Oct 6, 2026; FLUX 3 Image Oct 5, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Nano Banana 2.1 yes; FLUX 3 Image yes.

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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