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

Recraft V2 vs Imagen 3

Newest: Imagen 3 · Image editing: Neither edits images · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Recraft

    Recraft V2

    Released Mar 13, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V2

  2. Google

    Imagen 3

    Released Oct 15, 2024

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,057
    • From$0.04/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Imagen 3

  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.

  • NewestImagen 3Recraft V2 Mar 13, 2024 · Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024
  • Widest inputsSame inputsRecraft V2: Text prompts · Imagen 3: Text prompts
  • Image editingNeither edits imagesTakes a reference image as input: Recraft V2 no · Imagen 3 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachRecraft V2: 1 · Imagen 3: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V2 vs Imagen 3 specifications side by side
SpecificationRecraft V2RecraftImagen 3Google
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,057 ±3#65 of 82 · 359,756 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.04/image standard
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoNo
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedMar 13, 2024Oct 15, 2024
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Recraft V2 or Imagen 3?

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?

Imagen 3 costs from $0.04/image (standard). Recraft V2 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Recraft V2 and Imagen 3?

Recraft V2 is an image model from Recraft (Mar 13, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images. Imagen 3 is an image model from Google (Oct 15, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Recraft V2 Mar 13, 2024; Imagen 3 Oct 15, 2024.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V2 no; Imagen 3 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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