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

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs Recraft V4.1 Flash

Preferred for text to image: Qwen-Image 2.1 · Newest: Recraft V4.1 Flash · Widest inputs: Qwen-Image 2.1. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  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. Recraft

    Recraft V4.1 Flash

    Released Sep 23, 2026New

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,098
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4.1 Flash

  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 imageQwen-Image 2.1Qwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19) · Recraft V4.1 Flash 1,098 (#57) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V4.1 FlashQwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026 · Recraft V4.1 Flash Sep 23, 2026
  • Widest inputsQwen-Image 2.1Qwen-Image 2.1: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4.1 Flash: Text prompts
  • Image editingQwen-Image 2.1Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes · Recraft V4.1 Flash no
  • Self-hostingQwen-Image 2.1Downloadable weights (qwen-research)
  • Most API hostsSame reachQwen-Image 2.1: 1 · Recraft V4.1 Flash: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs Recraft V4.1 Flash specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-Image 2.1Alibaba (Qwen)Recraft V4.1 FlashRecraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,225 ±6#19 of 82 · 19,604 votes (best)1,098 ±10#57 of 82 · 3,486 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)YesNo
Access
WeightsOpenqwen-researchProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedSep 14, 2026Sep 23, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image 2.1 or Recraft V4.1 Flash?

For text to image, voters prefer Qwen-Image 2.1 (Qwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19) · Recraft V4.1 Flash 1,098 (#57)). 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.

What is the difference between Qwen-Image 2.1 and Recraft V4.1 Flash?

Qwen-Image 2.1 is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Sep 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Recraft V4.1 Flash is an image model from Recraft (Sep 23, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026; Recraft V4.1 Flash Sep 23, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes; Recraft V4.1 Flash no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

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

04 — Keep comparing

Related comparisons