Black Forest Labs' 12-billion parameter flow transformer for high-quality text-to-image generation, suitable for personal and commercial use with streaming support
Settled by community votes across 13 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
FLUX.1 [dev]
25.2
arena score
#12 of 48 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
· Text-to-Image
Nano Banana 2 Lite
22.3
arena score
#27 of 48 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
FLUX.1 [dev]
0%
win rate
Ties
0%
Nano Banana 2 Lite
0%
win rate
Shared challenges
13
Challenge by challenge
The strongest take from each model on every shared challenge, with the AI judge's read.
Geometric Composition
Text-to-Image“A glass cube on a wooden table. Inside the cube is a small blue sphere. On top of the cube sits a red book. A green plant is behind the cube, partially visible through the glass. Soft window light from the left.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Beautiful soft lighting and color grading
- + Very high technical resolution and clarity
- + Elegant glass refractions and reflections
- − The sphere is quite large, taking up much of the cube's interior instead of being 'small'
- − The glass cube has internal vertical struts that weren't specifically requested
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Correctly interpreted the 'small' scale of the blue sphere
- + Exceptional text rendering on the book spine related to the prompt
- + More realistic glass physics, showing the plant behind the cube clearly
- − The sphere appears to be floating without a visible support structure, which can look slightly unnatural
Verdict: Both models followed the prompt instructions very well, but Nano Banana 2 Lite produced a more literal and realistic interpretation, particularly with the scale of the 'small' sphere and the clever addition of text on the book. FLUX.1 [dev] produced a more stylized, artistic image with superior lighting, but the sphere was much larger than requested.
Candid Street Photography
Text-to-Image“A candid street photo of an elderly Japanese man repairing a red bicycle in light rain, reflections on wet pavement, shallow depth of field, 50mm lens, natural skin texture, imperfect framing, motion blur from passing cars, cinematic but realistic, no stylization.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent handling of shallow depth of field and bokeh
- + Very realistic skin texture and apparel details
- + Great representation of light rain and atmospheric haze
- − The subject is standing and holding the bike rather than actively repairing it
- − The composition feels a bit too clean and polished for the 'imperfect framing' prompt
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Strong adherence to the 'repairing' action with tools visible
- + Excellent 'candid' feel with environmental details like Japanese signage
- + Captures the 'imperfect framing' and street texture very effectively
- − The bokeh in the background is a bit busy and nervous looking
- − Minor anatomical artifacts on the hand holding the wrench
- − Slightly less realistic skin texture compared to Model A
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite followed the specific action of the prompt much better, showing a man actually repairing the bike with tools in a believable street setting. FLUX.1 [dev] produced a higher quality, more photorealistic portrait, but the subject is simply standing next to a bicycle rather than performing the requested task.
Fantasy Warrior
Text-to-Image“Close portrait of a battle-worn paladin in ornate engraved plate armor, hair braided with small beads, faint scars and dirt on the skin, warm torchlight reflecting off metal, shallow depth of field, bokeh sparks, lifelike eyes, highly detailed texture on leather straps and cloth underlayer.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Exceptional photographic clarity and resolution in the eyes and skin texture.
- + Strong adherence to the bokeh sparks and shallow depth of field request.
- + High-quality lighting effects on the character's face.
- − Character appears too clean and manicured for a 'battle-worn' paladin.
- − Missing requested small beads in the hair braids.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Excellent adherence to all prompt details, including the beads in braids, leather straps, and cloth underlayer.
- + Perfectly captures the 'battle-worn' aesthetic with realistic dirt, faint scars, and fatigue.
- + Incredible detail on the ornate engraving and scratches on the armor plate.
- − Resolution of the skin texture is slightly softer compared to the sharpness of the other model.
- − Unnecessary white borders on the left and right sides of the image.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner for its superior prompt adherence, accurately depicting a weary, battle-worn character with specific details like hair beads and leather straps that FLUX.1 [dev] missed. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a cleaner, more strikingly sharp image, it ignored the grit and specific gear details that define the paladin character.
Modern Clean Menu
Text-to-Image“Modern minimalist restaurant menu design, white background with colorful food photos in grid, sections for appetizers/pizza/mains, bold sans-serif fonts, vibrant accents, clean professional layout for casual dining.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Clean, professional typographic layout.
- + High-quality food photography with realistic lighting and shadows.
- + Effective use of negative space for a minimalist aesthetic.
- − Failed to include a 'Pizza' section as requested in the categories.
- − Text is largely gibberish/lore ipsum compared to the other model.
- − Food is not arranged in a grid as requested.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Strong adherence to the grid layout request for food photos.
- + Includes all requested categories: Appetizers, Pizza, and Mains.
- + Text is highly legible and relevant to the context of a menu.
- − Composition is a bit cluttered compared to a true minimalist style.
- − Vibrant accents (teal) are somewhat dated in design style.
- − Formatting at the bottom of the mains section is slightly inconsistent.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite followed the prompt much more accurately, including specific sections for Pizza and arranging the food in the requested grid format. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a more sophisticated and 'minimalist' aesthetic, it ignored several key prompt instructions and failed to provide legible text.
Magic Burger Explosion: Fiery Photorealism Challenge
Text-to-Image“Ad for 'Magic Burger'. Dynamic, exploded burger with all components (bun, patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sauce) suspended in mid-air. Emphasize photorealistic detail and a sense of motion. Dark, fiery background with glowing embers. Integrate text: 'MAGIC BURGER' as a prominent title, 'LIMITED TIME ONLY' as a secondary message, and '€6.99' in a starburst, all rendered with a fiery, glowing effect.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Clean and modern layout with a clear hierarchy.
- + High-quality, realistic textures on the food components.
- + Accurate rendering of the pricing currency symbol.
- − Completely missed the 'MAGIC BURGER' title text.
- − Lacks the 'fiery, glowing effect' requested for the text.
- − Missing the starburst element for the price.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Excellent adherence to all text requirements including 'MAGIC BURGER' and starburst.
- + Dynamic composition with a strong sense of motion and flying ingredients.
- + Perfectly captures the fiery, glowing aesthetic requested in the prompt.
- − The '6' in the price has an unusual top-heavy serif that looks a bit like an '8'.
- − More cluttered than Model A, though fit for an action-oriented ad.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner as it followed every instruction in the prompt, including the specific text strings and the fiery 'starburst' for the price. FLUX.1 [dev] failed to include the primary title and the starburst element, resulting in a significantly less complete ad layout.
Chalkboard Menu
Text-to-Image“Handwritten-style chalkboard menu in a cozy café, all text rendered in the exact same realistic chalk handwriting style with natural variations in letter size, slight slant, and chalk texture — no printed or digital fonts anywhere on the board. Title at the top in elegant cursive chalk handwriting: ‘TODAY’S SPECIALS – APRIL 30, 2026’. Below it, three menu items also in the same handwritten chalk style: ‘Truffle Mushroom Risotto – $24’, ‘Grilled Octopus with Lemon & Herbs – $28’, ‘Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – $9’. At the very bottom, smaller text in the identical handwritten chalk style (slightly smaller but still clearly legible with the same handwriting characteristics): ‘All items made fresh daily • Ask about our gluten-free options’. Warm ambient café lighting, visible chalk dust and smudges, realistic handwriting imperfections, no clean printed text anywhere.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent spelling and text clarity
- + Captures the brown butter cookie menu item correctly
- + Clean composition with a focused framing on the board
- − The text looks more like a digital marker or vector font than realistic chalk texture
- − Multiple minor spelling errors in the footer text like 'drish' instead of 'fresh'
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Superb realistic chalk texture with dusty smudges and varying transparency
- + Beautiful cafe background that adds to the 'cozy' atmosphere requested
- + Great decorative flourishes that fit the elegant cursive prompt
- − The small footer text is a digital sans-serif font, violating the prompt's 'no digital fonts' rule
- − The chalk texture is occasionally too light, making 'Mushroom' look like 'Mushraam'
Verdict: FLUX.1 [dev] followed the text content instructions perfectly and avoided digital fonts, but the lettering lacks the authentic dusty texture of real chalk. Nano Banana 2 Lite produced a much more realistic chalk aesthetic and a better environmental scene, but it failed the negative constraint by using a digital font for the small footer text. FLUX.1 [dev] is the winner for strict adherence to handwritten-only constraints and perfect spelling of the menu items.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Clean, cinematic lighting and high-resolution textures.
- + Simple and effective composition with clear focus on the subjects.
- − Completely failed the semantic instruction to have the horse on top of the astronaut.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Successfully followed the specific instruction to place the horse on top of the astronaut.
- + High level of surreal detail including a space helmet for the horse.
- + Complex galaxy background adds to the cinematic and surreal feel.
- − The astronaut's legs and the seat structure are somewhat cluttered and anatomically confusing.
Verdict: While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a high-quality, standard image of an astronaut riding a horse, it failed to interpret the specific logic of the prompt. Nano Banana 2 Lite correctly interpreted the surreal request to have the 'horse on top' of the astronaut, making it the clear winner for prompt adherence despite slightly busier composition.
The Capybara Taxi Driver
Text-to-Image“Photorealistic scene inside a yellow New York taxi at night. A capybara is driving, wearing a yellow taxi driver cap and a dark jacket. It has a calm, professional expression and both front paws on the steering wheel. In the back seat sits a human businesswoman in a coat, looking at her phone with a completely normal, bored expression (as if this is just another normal ride). Through the windows you can see the streets of Manhattan at night with blurred lights. Realistic taxi interior, photorealistic, detailed fur and fabric, 35mm lens, night lighting with reflections, shallow depth of field.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent character expressions, both human and capybara.
- + High-quality lighting and depth of field in the background.
- + Follows the request for a yellow cap.
- − Composition error: the woman appears to be sitting in the front passenger seat rather than the back seat.
- − The capybara's front paws look more like bird talons or stylized claws.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Perfect composition with the woman clearly in the back seat and capybara in the driver's seat.
- + Hyper-realistic taxi interior details including the meter, GPS, and steering wheel texture.
- + Natural fur rendering and proportional anatomy for the capybara.
- − The hat is a black chauffeur/police style instead of the requested yellow taxi cap.
- − The capybara's paw placement on the wheel is slightly clumsy.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the superior image because it correctly places the passenger in the back seat and renders a much more convincing taxi interior. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a charming image and followed the specific hat color instructions, it failed the spatial requirement of having the woman in the back seat, making it feel less like a taxi ride and more like a carpool.
The Halloween Invitation
Text-to-Image“Vintage gothic Halloween party invitation. Dark parchment poster, spooky border with webs and thorns, central glowing jack-o-lantern, bats, twisted trees, moody night sky. Add elegant gothic title text saying "Halloween Party Invitation", a small scroll banner saying "You are invited to a night of frights", and event details at the bottom: Date: 30.10.2026 Time: 7pm Location: The Arches, NYC Spooky but polished, cinematic lighting, square format.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Features a bold, central jack-o-lantern with high contrast lighting.
- + The thorny border is clear and well-defined.
- + Follows the square format requirement.
- − Poor text rendering with several spelling errors like 'Halloweeen Rantcy' and 'You Tre'.
- − The composition feels more like a modern vector illustration than a 'vintage gothic parchment'.
- − Failed to include cobwebs in the border as requested.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Excellent text rendering with no spelling errors in the title or event details.
- + Perfectly captures the 'vintage gothic parchment' aesthetic with weathered edges and intricate details.
- + Successfully includes all prompt elements: thorns, webs, scroll banner, and twisted trees.
- − The 'You are invited...' text on the scroll is slightly cramped.
- − The layout is very busy with many competing elements.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner as it followed every instruction, including the complex text and the specific 'vintage parchment' style. FLUX.1 [dev] struggled significantly with the text rendering and lacked the atmospheric gothic detail found in the other model.
Isometric Miniature Diorama Scenes
Text-to-Image“Create a clear, 45° top-down isometric miniature 3D cartoon scene of Japan's signature dish: sushi, with soft refined textures, realistic PBR materials, gentle lighting, on a small raised diorama base with minimal garnish and plate. Solid light blue background. At top-center: 'JAPAN' in large bold text, 'SUSHI' below it, small flag icon. Perfectly centered, ultra-clean, high-clarity, square format.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI judge analysis unavailable for this challenge.
Adorable Baby Animals in Sunny Meadow
Text-to-Image“Hyper-photorealistic scene of fluffy baby animals—a golden retriever puppy, tabby kitten, baby bunny, and red fox kit—with big expressive eyes and ultra-detailed soft fur, playfully chasing butterflies and tumbling together in a lush wildflower meadow, warm golden sunrise light with god rays and dew sparkles, joyful wholesome vibe, 8K masterpiece.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong bokeh effect and clean composition.
- + Vibrant color palette that evokes a joyful mood.
- − Fails to include the kitten requested in the prompt.
- − Styling is highly stylized/cartoonish rather than the requested hyper-photorealistic style.
- − Lacks the 'tumbling' interaction described.
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Excellent adherence to the 'hyper-photorealistic' style with detailed fur and realistic lighting.
- + Perfectly captures the 'tumbling' and 'chasing' actions requested.
- + Includes all four requested animals: puppy, kitten, bunny, and fox kit.
- − Slight anatomical oddity with the fox's front right leg positioning.
- − The scene is very busy, which might be slightly overwhelming to the eye.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner as it followed every part of the prompt, including the specific animals and the photorealistic style, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] produced a stylized, 3D-animation look and missed one of the required animals. Nano Banana 2 Lite also successfully captured the complex interaction of the animals tumbling together in a lush meadow with beautiful god rays.
Vintage Cafe Logo
Text-to-Image“Vintage minimalist restaurant logo for "Caffè Florian", retro cloche dome with steam and "Est. 1720" banner, classic typography, warm brown and cream tones, subtle texture on light background, vector emblem style.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong composition and balance
- + High-quality vector execution with clean illustration style
- + Correct placement of requested 'Est. 1720' text
- − Significant spelling errors in the brand name ('Café Flarilaan') and subtext ('Reseaurant')
- − Includes unnecessary random dates ('11011', '1941') that clutter the design
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Perfect adherence to text prompts with correct spelling of 'Caffè Florian'
- + Excellent vintage minimalist aesthetic that feels like a real logo
- + Accurate representation of the cloche dome and steam
- − The circular border is slightly cut off at the bottom edges
- − The 'Est. 1720' text is slightly off-center within the banner
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner because it followed the text instructions perfectly, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] suffered from severe hallucinations and misspellings in the brand name. While FLUX.1 [dev] had a visually pleasing vector style, its failure to spell the primary subject correctly makes it unusable as a logo.
Apollo 11: Journey to Tranquility
Text-to-Image“Create a clean, modern vector infographic poster about the Apollo 11 mission. NASA-inspired palette (navy, white, muted red, light gray). Flat-vector style, crisp lines, consistent iconography, subtle gradients only. Steps (stop at landing): 1. Launch (Saturn Vicon) 2. Earth Orbit (Earth + orbit ring icon) 3. Translunar (trajectory arc icon) 4. Lunar Orbit (Moon + orbit ring icon) 5. Descent (lunar module descending icon) 6. Landing (lunar module on the surface icon) Small supporting elements (minimal text): • Crew strip: three silhouette icons with only last names: Armstrong, Aldrin, Collins. • Landing site marker: Moon pin labeled "Tranquility" only. Layout constraints: generous margins, large readable labels, clean background with subtle stars. Vector-only, print-poster look, high resolution.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Nano Banana 2 Lite
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong aesthetic appeal with a stylistically consistent vector art style.
- + Excellent adherence to the requested color palette.
- + Creative use of a circular layout and iconography in the bottom footer.
- − Text is largely gibberish or heavily distorted.
- − Iconography doesn't accurately represent the specific mission steps (e.g., includes planets with rings unrelated to Apollo 11).
Nano Banana 2 Lite
- + Near-perfect adherence to the logical steps of the mission.
- + Highly legible and accurate text rendering for labels and headers.
- + Clean, professional linear infographic layout that is easy to follow.
- − The color palette is slightly washed out compared to the 'NASA' request.
- − Composition is a bit more generic than the artistic approach of Model A.
Verdict: Nano Banana 2 Lite is the clear winner for this infographic task as it correctly followed the six specific mission steps with accurate text and relevant iconography. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a more visually striking artistic piece with great color adherence, its failure to generate readable text or accurate scientific stages makes it ineffective as an actual infographic.
Next steps
Explore each model
The lightweight, low-cost variant of Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image). Ultra-low-latency image generation and editing at a fixed 1K resolution, designed for high-volume interactive use cases.