AI image model comparison
MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5 Image
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
Microsoft
MAI-Image-2.5
Microsoft AI's MAI-Image-2.5 is a high-quality image generation model available via Azure AI Foundry.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $47
- Image Elo
- 1226
OpenAI
GPT-5 Image
[GPT-5](https://openrouter.ai/openai/gpt-5) Image combines OpenAI's GPT-5 model with state-of-the-art image generation capabilities.
- Per image
- Not available
- Output / 1M
- $40
- Image Elo
- 1192
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
MAI-Image-2.5
1226 vs 1192 Elo in blind votes
Better at editing
Not available
Only one editing score is available
Newer release
MAI-Image-2.5
Released June 2, 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
GPT-5 Image#9 · 53.9% wins1192Image editing
GPT-5 ImageNot availableGraphic design
GPT-5 Image#9 · 48.9% wins1173Logos
GPT-5 Image#9 · 52.7% wins1202Pricing
MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5 Image price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | GPT-5 Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | Not available | Not available |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $47 | $40 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | Not available | Not available |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | $5 | $10 |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
GPT-5 ImageNot availableSocial media batch
50 images
GPT-5 ImageNot availableProduct catalog
1,000 images
GPT-5 ImageNot availableSpecs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | GPT-5 Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | File, Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image, Text |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | 4K tokens | 400K tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | Always on |
| Release date | June 2, 2026 | October 14, 2025 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | GPT-5 Image | |
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Not supported | Supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs MAI-Image-2.6
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs MAI-Image-2.6 Flash
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs FLUX.2 Flex
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs FLUX.2 Pro
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs Nano Banana 2.1
- MAI-Image-2.5 vs GPT Image 1
GPT-5 ImageView full model details- GPT-5 Image vs GPT-5 Image Mini
- GPT-5 Image vs GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst
- GPT-5 Image vs Nano Banana 2 Lite
- GPT-5 Image vs GPT-5.4 Image 2
- GPT-5 Image vs GPT Image 2
- GPT-5 Image vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare
- GPT-5 Image vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- GPT-5 Image vs Nano Banana 2.1
- GPT-5 Image vs Hy Image 3.5 Preview
- GPT-5 Image vs GPT Image 1
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which makes better images, MAI-Image-2.5 or GPT-5 Image?
In blind votes on Design Arena, MAI-Image-2.5 has an image generation Elo of 1226 and GPT-5 Image has 1192, putting MAI-Image-2.5 ahead. Taste varies by style, so the best test is running your own prompts through both.
Can MAI-Image-2.5 and GPT-5 Image 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 MAI-Image-2.5 and GPT-5 Image at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see MAI-Image-2.5 and GPT-5 Image results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.5 and GPT-5 Image at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.