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

Qwen-Image Edit vs GPT-5 Image

Newest: GPT-5 Image · Widest inputs: GPT-5 Image · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image Edit

    Released Aug 19, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,241
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image Edit

  2. OpenAI

    GPT-5 Image

    Released Oct 14, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT-5 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.

  • NewestGPT-5 ImageQwen-Image Edit Aug 19, 2025 · GPT-5 Image Oct 14, 2025
  • Widest inputsGPT-5 ImageQwen-Image Edit: Text prompts, Reference images · GPT-5 Image: Text prompts, Reference images, PDFs
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image Edit yes · GPT-5 Image yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT-5 ImageQwen-Image Edit: 1 · GPT-5 Image: 2
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image Edit vs GPT-5 Image specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-Image EditAlibaba (Qwen)GPT-5 ImageOpenAI
Quality (blind human votes)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,241 ±3#39 of 61 · 2,021,753 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts12 (best)
ReleasedAug 19, 2025Oct 14, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image Edit or GPT-5 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 Edit and GPT-5 Image?

Qwen-Image Edit is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Aug 19, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. GPT-5 Image is an image model from OpenAI (Oct 14, 2025), taking text prompts, reference images and pdfs and producing images.

Which is newer?

Qwen-Image Edit Aug 19, 2025; GPT-5 Image Oct 14, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image Edit yes; GPT-5 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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