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

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs FLUX 3 Image

Newest: FLUX 3 Image · Self-hosting: Qwen-Image 2.1. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. 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

  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.

  • NewestFLUX 3 ImageQwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026 · FLUX 3 Image Oct 5, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsQwen-Image 2.1: Text prompts, Reference images · FLUX 3 Image: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes · FLUX 3 Image yes
  • Self-hostingQwen-Image 2.1Downloadable weights (qwen-research)
  • Most API hostsSame reachQwen-Image 2.1: 1 · FLUX 3 Image: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs FLUX 3 Image specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-Image 2.1Alibaba (Qwen)FLUX 3 ImageBlack Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,225 ±6#19 of 82 · 19,604 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,362 ±6#20 of 61 · 39,412 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsOpenqwen-researchProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedSep 14, 2026Oct 5, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image 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.

What is the difference between Qwen-Image 2.1 and FLUX 3 Image?

Qwen-Image 2.1 is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Sep 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images 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?

Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026; FLUX 3 Image Oct 5, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes; FLUX 3 Image yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

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

04 — Keep comparing

Related comparisons