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

Recraft V4.1 Flash vs Qwen-Image 2.1

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.

Recraft
Recraft V4.1 Flash
Released Sep 23, 2026New
- Text to image
- Arena1,098
- From—
- Max size—
Full specs Remove Recraft V4.1 Flash
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
Add a model
Make it a three-way comparison.
Third model

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

02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V4.1 Flash vs Qwen-Image 2.1 specifications side by side
Specification	Recraft V4.1 FlashRecraft	Qwen-Image 2.1Alibaba (Qwen)
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better	1,098 ±10#57 of 82 · 3,486 votes	1,225 ±6#19 of 82 · 19,604 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better	—	1,362 ±6#20 of 61 · 39,412 votes
Output
Produces	Images	Images
Inputs
Text prompts	Yes	Yes
Reference images (editing)	No	Yes
Access
Weights	Proprietary	Openqwen-research
API hosts	1	1
Released	Sep 23, 2026	Sep 14, 2026

03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

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

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

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

Which is newer?

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

Which can edit an existing image?

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

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

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