AI image model comparison
Nano Banana Pro vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Nano Banana Pro is Google’s most advanced image-generation and editing model, built on Gemini 3 Pro.
- Per image
- $0.13
- Output / 1M
- $120
- Image Elo
- 1244
Sourceful
Riverflow V2.5 Pro
Riverflow V2.5 Pro is the most powerful variant of Sourceful's Riverflow 2.5 lineup, best for top-tier control and quality-sensitive outputs.
- Per image
- $0.13
- Output / 1M
- $31.14
- Image Elo
- 1366
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
Tie
Same price per image
Better image quality
Riverflow V2.5 Pro
1366 vs 1244 Elo in blind votes
Better at editing
Riverflow V2.5 Pro
1310 vs 1252 Elo on edits
Newer release
Nano Banana Pro
Released June 18, 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
Nano Banana Pro vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | $0.13 | $0.13 |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $120 | $31.14 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | 1,120 | 4,175 |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $2 | Included |
| Reference imagesPer 1M input image tokens | $2 | 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, Text | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 131K tokens | 33K tokens |
| Reasoning step | Always on | Always on |
| Release date | June 18, 2026 | June 4, 2026 |
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 | Supported | Not supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Supported | Supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Supported | Not supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Not supported |
Our take
Riverflow V2.5 Pro is 1.0x 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 Nano Banana Pro or Riverflow V2.5 Pro cheaper?
Riverflow V2.5 Pro is cheaper at about $0.13 per standard image, compared with $0.13 for Nano Banana Pro. For 1,000 images that is $130 versus $134.40.
Which makes better images, Nano Banana Pro or Riverflow V2.5 Pro?
In blind votes on Design Arena, Nano Banana Pro has an image generation Elo of 1244 and Riverflow V2.5 Pro has 1366, putting Riverflow V2.5 Pro ahead. Taste varies by style, so the best test is running your own prompts through both.
Can Nano Banana Pro and Riverflow V2.5 Pro 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 Nano Banana Pro and Riverflow V2.5 Pro at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Nano Banana Pro and Riverflow V2.5 Pro results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to Nano Banana Pro and Riverflow V2.5 Pro at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.