AI image model comparison
Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Nano Banana 2.1
Nano Banana 2.1 (Gemini Nano Banana 2.1) is Google's image generation and editing model on the Flash tier, succeeding Nano Banana 2 and Nano Banana Pro.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $30
- Image Elo
- Not available
OpenAI
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
GPT Image 2.5 Flare is an image generation and editing model from OpenAI, positioned as the speed-oriented tier of the GPT Image 2.5 series.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $30
- Image Elo
- Not available
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
Not available
Per-image price is not available
Better image quality
Not available
Not enough arena data
Better at editing
Not available
Not enough arena data
Newer release
Nano Banana 2.1
Released October 6, 2026
Pricing
Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | GPT Image 2.5 Flare |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $30 | $30 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $1.50 | $8 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableGPT Image 2.5 FlareNot availableSocial media batch
50 images
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableGPT Image 2.5 FlareNot availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
Nano Banana 2.1Not availableGPT Image 2.5 FlareNot availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | GPT Image 2.5 Flare |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image, Text | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 66K tokens | 400K tokens |
| Reasoning step | Optional | No |
| Release date | October 6, 2026 | September 9, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | Nano Banana 2.1 | GPT Image 2.5 Flare |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Supported | Supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Not supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
Nano Banana 2.1View full model details- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 2
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT-5 Image
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs GPT Image 1
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.6
- Nano Banana 2.1 vs MAI-Image-2.5
GPT Image 2.5 FlareView full model details- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT Image 2
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT-5 Image
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs GPT Image 1
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs MAI-Image-2.6
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs MAI-Image-2.5
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can Nano Banana 2.1 and GPT Image 2.5 Flare 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 2.1 and GPT Image 2.5 Flare at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Nano Banana 2.1 and GPT Image 2.5 Flare results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to Nano Banana 2.1 and GPT Image 2.5 Flare at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.