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

Stable Diffusion XL vs Recraft V2

Newest: Recraft V2 · Widest inputs: Stable Diffusion XL · Image editing: Stable Diffusion XL. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

Stability AI
Stable Diffusion XL
Released Jul 9, 2023
- Text to image
- Image editing
- Arena—
- From—
- Max size—
Full specs Remove Stable Diffusion XL
Recraft
Recraft V2
Released Mar 13, 2024
- Text to image
- Arena—
- From—
- Max size—
Full specs Remove Recraft V2
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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.

NewestRecraft V2Stable Diffusion XL Jul 9, 2023 · Recraft V2 Mar 13, 2024
Widest inputsStable Diffusion XLStable Diffusion XL: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V2: Text prompts
Image editingStable Diffusion XLTakes a reference image as input: Stable Diffusion XL yes · Recraft V2 no
Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
Most API hostsSame reachStable Diffusion XL: 1 · Recraft V2: 1

02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Stable Diffusion XL vs Recraft V2 specifications side by side
Specification	Stable Diffusion XLStability AI	Recraft V2Recraft
Output
Produces	Images	Images
Inputs
Text prompts	Yes	Yes
Reference images (editing)	Yes	No
Access
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
API hosts	1	1
Released	Jul 9, 2023	Mar 13, 2024

03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Stable Diffusion XL or Recraft V2?

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 Stable Diffusion XL and Recraft V2?

Stable Diffusion XL is an image model from Stability AI (Jul 9, 2023), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Recraft V2 is an image model from Recraft (Mar 13, 2024), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Stable Diffusion XL Jul 9, 2023; Recraft V2 Mar 13, 2024.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Stable Diffusion XL yes; Recraft V2 no.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.