AI image model comparison
FLUX.3 Image vs FLUX.2 Flex
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Black Forest Labs
FLUX.3 Image
FLUX.3 Image is Black Forest Labs' flagship image generation and editing model.
- Per image
- $0.041
- Output / 1M
- $9.82
- Image Elo
- Not available
Black Forest Labs
FLUX.2 Flex
FLUX.2 [flex] excels at rendering complex text, typography, and fine details, and supports multi-reference editing in the same unified architecture.
- Per image
- $0.06
- Output / 1M
- $14.65
- Image Elo
- 1200
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
FLUX.3 Image
$0.041 vs $0.06, 1.5x cheaper
Better image quality
Not available
Not enough arena data
Better at editing
Not available
Not enough arena data
Newer release
FLUX.3 Image
Released October 1, 2026
Quality
Image quality rankings
Elo ratings from Design Arena, where people vote between two anonymous images made from the same prompt. Higher is better.
Image generation
Image editing
Graphic design
Logos
Pricing
FLUX.3 Image vs FLUX.2 Flex price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | $0.041 | $0.06 |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $9.82 | $14.65 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | 4,175 | 4,096 |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | Included | Included |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Social media batch
50 images
Product catalog
1,000 images
Specs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 47K tokens | 67K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | No |
| Release date | October 1, 2026 | November 25, 2025 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Not supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Not supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Supported | Supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Not supported | Not supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
- FLUX.3 Image vs Nano Banana 2
- FLUX.3 Image vs Seedream 4.5
- FLUX.3 Image vs Nano Banana
- FLUX.3 Image vs Nano Banana Pro
- FLUX.3 Image vs Seedream 5.0 Pro
- FLUX.3 Image vs FLUX.2 Pro
- FLUX.3 Image vs Grok Imagine Image 2.0
- FLUX.3 Image vs Seedream 5.0 Lite
- FLUX.3 Image vs FLUX.2 Klein 4B
- FLUX.3 Image vs Grok Imagine Image Quality
- FLUX.3 Image vs Qwen Image 3
- FLUX.3 Image vs FLUX.2 Max
- FLUX.3 Image vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- FLUX.2 Flex vs MAI-Image-2.6
- FLUX.2 Flex vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Nano Banana 2
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Nano Banana Pro
- FLUX.2 Flex vs MAI-Image-2.5
- FLUX.2 Flex vs FLUX.2 Pro
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Nano Banana
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Seedream 4.5
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Seedream 5.0 Pro
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Grok Imagine Image 2.0
- FLUX.2 Flex vs Grok Imagine Image Quality
- FLUX.2 Flex vs FLUX.2 Max
Our take
FLUX.3 Image is 1.5x cheaper per image. The right pick depends on your workload, so the quickest way to settle it is to send the same prompt to both and compare.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is FLUX.3 Image or FLUX.2 Flex cheaper?
FLUX.3 Image is cheaper at about $0.041 per standard image, compared with $0.06 for FLUX.2 Flex. For 1,000 images that is $41 versus $60.
Can FLUX.3 Image and FLUX.2 Flex edit existing images?
Yes. Both accept reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, different lighting, or added text.
Can I use FLUX.3 Image and FLUX.2 Flex at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see FLUX.3 Image and FLUX.2 Flex results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to FLUX.3 Image and FLUX.2 Flex at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.