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Updated October 2026

Best AI models for image editing in 2026

The strongest models for changing an existing photo: swapping backgrounds, restyling, and adding or removing objects.

  1. #2microsoft logo

    Microsoft

    MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

    1265

    Editing Elo

  2. Top picksourceful logo

    Sourceful

    Riverflow V2.5 Pro

    1310

    Editing Elo

  3. #3microsoft logo

    Microsoft

    MAI-Image-2.6

    1254

    Editing Elo

Ranking

Every model, ranked by editing Elo

All models

Ranked by Design Arena image editing Elo, from blind votes on edits of the same source image.

  1. 1sourceful logoRiverflow V2.5 ProSourceful · $0.13 per image · Edits images1310
  2. 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.6 FlashMicrosoft · Price not available · Edits images1265
  3. 3microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.6Microsoft · Price not available · Edits images1254
  4. 4google logoNano Banana ProGoogle · $0.13 per image · Edits images1252
  5. 5microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.5Microsoft · Price not available · Edits images1230
  6. 6black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 ProBlack Forest Labs · $0.03 per image · Edits images1136
  7. 7openai logoGPT Image 1OpenAI · Price not available · Edits images1106
  8. 8black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Klein 4BBlack Forest Labs · $0.014 per image · Edits images1055

Head to head

How the top models compare

All comparisons

Detailed comparisons between the models on this list.

microsoft logoVSsourceful logo

MAI-Image-2.6 vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro

Microsoft vs Sourceful

See comparison
microsoft logoVSsourceful logo

MAI-Image-2.6 Flash vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro

Microsoft vs Sourceful

See comparison
microsoft logoVSmicrosoft logo

MAI-Image-2.6 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash

Microsoft vs Microsoft

See comparison
google logoVSsourceful logo

Nano Banana Pro vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro

Google vs Sourceful

See comparison
sourceful logoVSmicrosoft logo

Riverflow V2.5 Pro vs MAI-Image-2.5

Sourceful vs Microsoft

See comparison
microsoft logoVSgoogle logo

MAI-Image-2.6 vs Nano Banana Pro

Microsoft vs Google

See comparison

More rankings

Best models for other jobs

All rankings

The leader changes with the job. See how these same models rank for something else.

Best AI image generators

The models that make the best-looking images, ranked by thousands of blind head-to-head votes.

  1. 1sourceful logoRiverflow V2.5 Pro1366
  2. 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.61318
  3. 3microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.6 Flash1306
See full ranking

Cheapest AI image generators

The lowest cost per image, for bulk work like product catalogs, thumbnails, and social posts.

  1. 1recraft logoRecraft V4.1 Flash$0.007
  2. 2meta logoMuse Image$0.01
  3. 3black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Klein 4B$0.014
See full ranking

Best AI logo generators

The models that produce the cleanest, most usable logos and brand marks.

  1. 1sourceful logoRiverflow V2.5 Pro1296
  2. 2microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.61291
  3. 3microsoft logoMAI-Image-2.6 Flash1268
See full ranking

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best AI model for editing images?

Riverflow V2.5 Pro from Sourceful ranks first with editing Elo of 1310. MAI-Image-2.6 Flash is second at 1265.

How are these models ranked?

Ranked by Design Arena image editing Elo, from blind votes on edits of the same source image.

Can I use more than one of these models?

Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to several models at once, so you can run the top models on this list side by side and keep the best image.

sourceful logomicrosoft logomicrosoft logogoogle logomicrosoft logo

Use the top models together.

Send one prompt to multiple models on this list at once, see the images side by side, and keep your favorite.

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