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

Recraft V4 vs GLM-Image

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

  1. Recraft

    Recraft V4

    Released Feb 17, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,115
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4

  2. Z.ai (Zhipu)

    GLM-Image

    Released Jan 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,012
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GLM-Image

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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 imageRecraft V4Recraft V4 1,115 (#50) · GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V4Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026 · GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026
  • Widest inputsGLM-ImageRecraft V4: Text prompts · GLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingGLM-ImageTakes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 no · GLM-Image yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsSame reachRecraft V4: 1 · GLM-Image: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V4 vs GLM-Image specifications side by side
SpecificationRecraft V4RecraftGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,115 ±3#50 of 82 · 149,367 votes (best)1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryOpenMIT
API hosts11
ReleasedFeb 17, 2026Jan 14, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Recraft V4 or GLM-Image?

For text to image, voters prefer Recraft V4 (Recraft V4 1,115 (#50) · GLM-Image 1,012 (#76)). 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 and GLM-Image?

Recraft V4 is an image model from Recraft (Feb 17, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images. GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026; GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 no; GLM-Image yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

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