MAI-Image-2.5 alternatives

Best MAI-Image-2.5 alternatives

10 image models that can stand in for MAI-Image-2.5, ranked by blind-vote image quality, with what each one does better.

Current Model

MAI-Image-2.5

Per image: Not available
Output / 1M: $47
Image Elo: 1226
Editing Elo: 1230

Quick picks

The best alternative depends on what you need

Why people switch away from MAI-Image-2.5, and the model that fits each reason best.

Best image quality

MAI-Image-2.6

Image Elo 1318 vs 1226

Best for editing

MAI-Image-2.6

Editing Elo 1254 vs 1230

Best for graphic design

MAI-Image-2.6

Design Elo 1328 vs 1210

Ranked

Top MAI-Image-2.5 alternatives

Each model is scored against MAI-Image-2.5. Green means better, red means worse.

MAI-Image-2.5 as the baseline, then the top alternatives scored against it
Model	Per image	Output / 1M	Image Elo	Editing Elo	Compare
MAI-Image-2.5 Microsoft	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$47	Image Elo1226	Editing Elo1230	Reference model
1 MAI-Image-2.6 Microsoft	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$38-19%	Image Elo1318+8%	Editing Elo1254+2%	Compare
Why switch:Better at image generationBetter at image editingBetter at graphic designBetter at logosNewer release
2 GPT-5 Image OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$40-15%	Image Elo1192-3%	Editing EloNot available	Compare
3 GPT-5 Image Mini OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$8-83%	Image Elo1184-3%	Editing EloNot available	Compare
4 Nano Banana 2.1 Google	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
5 GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
6 GPT Image 2.5 Flare OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
7 Nano Banana 2 Lite Google	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
8 GPT Image 2 OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
9 GPT Image 1 OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$40-15%	Image EloNot available	Editing Elo1106-10%	Compare
Why switch:Newer release
10 GPT-5.4 Image 2 OpenAI	Per imageNot available	Output / 1M$30-36%	Image EloNot available	Editing EloNot available	Compare

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to MAI-Image-2.5?

MAI-Image-2.6 from Microsoft ranks first on image quality in blind Design Arena votes, with an Elo of 1318 versus 1226 for MAI-Image-2.5.

Can I try MAI-Image-2.5 and its alternatives at the same time?

Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to several image models at once, so you can compare MAI-Image-2.5 with any of these alternatives on your own prompts.

Not sure which to pick? Try them all.

Send one prompt to MAI-Image-2.5 and its alternatives at the same time, and keep the image you like best.

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