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

Recraft V4.1 Utility vs GPT Image 2

Newest: Recraft V4.1 Utility · Widest inputs: GPT Image 2 · Image editing: GPT Image 2. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Recraft

    Recraft V4.1 Utility

    Released May 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4.1 Utility

  2. OpenAI

    GPT Image 2

    Released Apr 21, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,460
    • From$0.006/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 2

  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.

  • NewestRecraft V4.1 UtilityRecraft V4.1 Utility May 14, 2026 · GPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026
  • Widest inputsGPT Image 2Recraft V4.1 Utility: Text prompts · GPT Image 2: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingGPT Image 2Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V4.1 Utility no · GPT Image 2 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT Image 2Recraft V4.1 Utility: 1 · GPT Image 2: 9
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V4.1 Utility vs GPT Image 2 specifications side by side
SpecificationRecraft V4.1 UtilityRecraftGPT Image 2OpenAI
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,381 ±4#3 of 82 · 103,385 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,460 ±3#4 of 61 · 336,785 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.006/image 1024×1024, low
Top price—$0.211/image 1024×1024, high
How it is billed—Billed per token; measured cost of one square image at each quality setting.
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per request—Up to 10
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoYes
Max reference images—16
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API model ID—gpt-image-2
API hosts19 (best)
ReleasedMay 14, 2026Apr 21, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Recraft V4.1 Utility or GPT Image 2?

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?

GPT Image 2 costs from $0.006/image (1024×1024, low), up to $0.211/image (1024×1024, high). Recraft V4.1 Utility has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Recraft V4.1 Utility and GPT Image 2?

Recraft V4.1 Utility is an image model from Recraft (May 14, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images. GPT Image 2 is an image model from OpenAI (Apr 21, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Recraft V4.1 Utility May 14, 2026; GPT Image 2 Apr 21, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V4.1 Utility no; GPT Image 2 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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