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]
24.6
arena score
#16 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
· Text-to-Image
Recraft V4
25.6
arena score
#11 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
FLUX.1 [dev]
0%
win rate
Ties
0%
Recraft V4
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent clean lighting and modern aesthetic
- + Accurate representation of glass reflections and transparency
- − The glass 'cube' is actually open-sided, appearing more like a stand than a solid cube
- − Sphere appears to be floating without a clear reason in a modern context
Recraft V4
- + Perfect adherence to the object 'cube' (solid glass block)
- + High level of realism in the textures of the old book and the wooden table
- + Accurate portrayal of the plant being visible through the glass refraction
- − The sphere is slightly off-center which might be a minor compositional distraction
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the winner as it accurately rendered a solid glass 'cube' as requested, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] rendered an open-sided glass structure. Recraft V4 also captured superior textural detail in the wood grain and paper of the red book, while maintaining naturalistic light from the window.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent skin texture and realistic low-light lighting
- + High detail in the character and bicycle components
- + Effective shallow depth of field
- − The car in the background lacks the requested motion blur
- − The 'repairing' action is less clear as he appears to just be holding the bike
- − Image feels a bit too clean for 'candid' and 'imperfect framing'
Recraft V4
- + Perfectly captures the 'motion blur from passing cars' request
- + Comes closer to the 'candid street photo' and 'imperfect framing' aesthetic
- + Realistic rain atmosphere and puddles with reflections
- − Anatomical issues with the man's neck and jaw appearing distorted
- − The bicycle geometry is slightly illogical near the front fork
- − Lower fidelity on skin textures compared to Model A
Verdict: FLUX.1 [dev] produces a higher quality portrait with exceptional skin and material detail, but fails to include the motion blur requested in the prompt. Recraft V4 captures the mood, requested motion blur, and 'candid' feel much better, though it suffers from some anatomical and structural glitches in the main subject and bicycle.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Extremely high-quality facial textures and lifelike eyes.
- + Excellent use of shallow depth of field and soft bokeh.
- + Clean and visually appealing color palette.
- − Missed the request for beads in the hair.
- − Character looks too 'clean' and model-like for a battle-worn warrior.
- − Armor lacks the requested 'engraved' or 'ornate' complexity.
Recraft V4
- + Excellent adherence to the 'battle-worn' and 'dirt/scarring' descriptors.
- + Includes all specific details like hair beads and ornate engravings.
- + Strong cinematic atmosphere with visible torchlight sources.
- − Facial skin texture appears a bit blotchy or muddy in certain areas.
- − The sparks are rendered as small lines rather than soft bokeh circles.
Verdict: Recraft V4 followed the prompt's specific details significantly better, including the hair beads, ornate engravings, and a genuine battle-worn aesthetic. FLUX.1 [dev] produced a stunningly beautiful portrait with superior skin and eye realism, but it ignored several key thematic elements of the request, resulting in a character that looks too pristine.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Elegant, professional layout that looks like a high-end restaurant menu
- + Good use of negative space and typographic hierarchy
- − Text is mostly gibberish with various artifacts
- − Failed to include a specific Pizza section as requested
- − Food photos are not in a grid
Recraft V4
- + Perfect adherence to the 'food photos in grid' requirement
- + Includes all requested sections: Appetizers, Pizza, and Mains
- + Extremely clear, legible, and accurate English text
- + High-quality, isolated food photography
- − The layout is a bit basic and repetitive compared to professional graphic design
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it followed every specific instruction in the prompt, including the grid format and all three specific food sections. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced an aesthetically pleasing layout, it failed on the technical prompt requirements and the text was unreadable.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent photorealistic texture on the meat and buns
- + Great lighting integration with the flames and background sparks
- − Failed to include the primary title 'MAGIC BURGER'
- − Missing the requested starburst element for the price
- − The 'exploded' effect is more of a stack than a dynamic explosion
Recraft V4
- + Successfully included all requested text elements with high accuracy
- + Highly dynamic composition that captures the 'exploded' motion perfectly
- + Accurately rendered the fiery glowing text and the starburst price tag
- − The bun texture looks slightly less crisp compared to the patty
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it followed every instruction in the prompt, including the complex text integration and specific layout elements like the starburst. FLUX.1 [dev] produced a high-quality image but failed to include the primary brand name and lacked the dynamic motion requested in the prompt.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent legibility and font consistency throughout the board.
- + Perfectly captures the requested 'elegant cursive' for the bottom text and clear handwriting style.
- + High contrast and sharp focus on the chalk texture and wooden frame.
- − The title 'TODAY SPECIALS' is missing the possessive 'S' from 'TODAY'S'.
- − The text looks slightly too clean and uniform, bordering on a digital font appearance despite the prompt.
Recraft V4
- + Features beautiful, realistic chalk illustrations that enhance the café aesthetic.
- + Includes the correct possessive 'S' in 'TODAY'S SPECIALS'.
- + Exceptional background composition and lighting, creating a very convincing cozy café scene.
- − The handwriting is extremely small and thin, making it difficult to read compared to the illustrations.
- − The text lacks the requested 'elegant cursive' for the title mentioned in the prompt.
Verdict: FLUX.1 [dev] produced a much clearer and more legible menu with consistent handwriting, though it missed a minor grammar detail in the title. Recraft V4 created a more atmospheric and artistic scene with impressive chalk drawings, but the text is too small and fails to follow the specific cursive stylistic requirements for the header. FLUX.1 [dev] is the winner for better prompt adherence regarding text style and readability.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
FLUX.1 [dev]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong cinematic lighting with a clean, high-contrast aesthetic
- + Excellent rendering of the horse's musculature and the astronaut's suit
- − Anatomical error with the horse's front left leg appearing truncated
- − Fails the negative constraint by showing the astronaut on top of the horse
Recraft V4
- + Vivid texture on the asteroid field and the horse's coat
- + Dynamic composition with a sense of motion through space
- − Fails the specific prompt instruction to have the 'horse on top'
- − The astronaut's right leg disappears into the horse's torso
Verdict: Both models failed the specific instruction to have the 'horse on top' (inverted riding), instead opting for the standard astronaut-riding-horse trope. Recraft V4 offers a more detailed and cinematic environment with the asteroid belt, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] has a cleaner subject but suffers from a significant anatomical distortion on the horse's front leg.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent photographic quality and lighting depth.
- + Capybara's paws are clearly placed on the steering wheel as requested.
- + The capybara's expression is very professional and well-rendered.
- − The passenger is sitting in the front passenger seat instead of the back seat.
- − The perspective makes it look like a POV from the hood rather than being 'inside' the scene.
Recraft V4
- + Successfully placed the passenger in the back seat as requested.
- + Strong adherence to the 'taxi driver cap' style with clear text rendering.
- + Good spatial composition showing the full interior and city background.
- − Image quality is slightly grainier compared to the other model.
- − The capybara's paws on the wheel are less distinct and slightly merged with the wheel texture.
Verdict: Recraft V4 followed the complex spatial instructions much better by correctly placing the passenger in the back seat, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] placed her in the front. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a more aesthetically pleasing and sharp image, Recraft V4 captured the specific narrative of the prompt more accurately.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong cinematic lighting with a vibrant color palette.
- + Crisp vector-style illustration details in the border and trees.
- + Excellent focal point with a highly stylized, glowing jack-o-lantern.
- − Major text errors include 'Lalloween Rantcl' and redundant time values.
- − The invitation details look like a font overlay rather than part of the design.
- − Missing the cobweb element requested in the prompt.
Recraft V4
- + Perfect text rendering for all requested information, including headers and details.
- + Incorporate all prompt elements including webs, thorns, bats, and twisted trees.
- + Features a superior vintage artistic style with a moody, rained-on parchment feel.
- − The small scroll banner is a bit plain and lacks the 'gothic' flair of the surrounding text.
- − The overall composition is centered but slightly crowded with the number of bats.
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it followed every instruction, including complex text rendering with zero spelling errors and incorporating the web/thorn mixture for the border. While FLUX.1 [dev] produced a visually striking image with high contrast, its failure to spell the primary title correctly and the exclusion of cobwebs makes it less effective as a functional invitation.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent soft 3D cartoon lighting and material textures
- + Very clean diorama base and subtle shadows
- + Good adherence to the 45-degree isometric camera angle
- − Text rendering is inaccurate, displaying 'SUSH CATON' and a gibberish character
- − The flag icon is integrated into a larger, somewhat distracting graphic
Recraft V4
- + Perfect text rendering of 'JAPAN' and 'SUSHI'
- + Accurate and clean placement of the flag icon
- + High material realism and variety in the sushi types
- − The ice/salt base looks a bit noisy compared to the 'ultra-clean' request
- − The composition feels slightly more like a photo than a '3D cartoon' scene
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the winner primarily due to its perfect handling of the text and icon requirements. While FLUX.1 [dev] nailed the '3D cartoon' aesthetic and lighting more effectively, its failure to correctly spell the requested text makes it less suitable for the specific prompt.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent golden sunrise lighting with a warm atmospheric glow.
- + Cohesive artistic style across all four characters.
- − Failed the photorealistic prompt, producing highly stylized 3D illustrations/cartoons.
- − Missing the tabby kitten; instead, it generated two dogs and two fox/bunny hybrids.
- − Anatomy is simplified and non-realistic.
Recraft V4
- + Successfully achieved the hyper-photorealistic style requested.
- + Included all four specific animals: golden retriever, tabby kitten, bunny, and fox kit.
- + Captured dynamic, playful movement and visible dew sparkles in the grass.
- − The fox's front-right leg has a slight anatomical clipping/merging issue with the kitten's tail area.
- − Some butterfly shapes in the background are a bit distorted.
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it strictly adhered to the complexity of the prompt, providing all four requested animals in a hyper-photorealistic style. FLUX.1 [dev] failed significantly on prompt adherence, producing a stylized cartoon image and missing the kitten entirely.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Excellent vector emblem style with balanced composition
- + Includes the banner element requested in the prompt
- + Captures the warm brown and cream tones perfectly
- − Serious spelling errors: 'Flarilaan' instead of 'Florian' and 'Reseaurant'
- − Confusing additional numbers '11011' and '1941' added to the design
Recraft V4
- + Perfect text rendering of 'Caffè Florian' with a professional font choice
- + Sophisticated cross-hatched shading on the cloche dome
- + Clean, high-quality vector aesthetic
- − Failed to include the specific banner element for the 'Est. 1720' text
- − The accent on the 'è' is slightly stylized as a dot, though still readable
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner because it renders the primary subject text correctly, whereas FLUX.1 [dev] contains multiple significant typos. Recraft V4 also demonstrates superior illustrative detail on the cloche, though it missed the specific request for the text to be inside a banner.
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]
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [dev]
- + Strong aesthetic appeal with a cohesive, professional poster layout.
- + Excellent use of the requested color palette and vintage space-age style.
- + Dynamic composition with a central focus and secondary iconography.
- − Text is almost entirely gibberish or contains severe misspellings.
- − Factual inaccuracies in iconography, including planets with rings which do not apply to the Apollo 11 mission.
Recraft V4
- + Near-perfect adherence to the logical sequence of steps requested in the prompt.
- + Excellent text rendering with accurate names and descriptions.
- + Clean, minimalist vector style that perfectly matches the 'infographic' requirement.
- − Composition is a bit sparse with significant empty white space.
- − The 'Translunar' icon is very simple compared to the other more detailed icons.
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it successfully follows the logical structure and specific terminology of the prompt, providing accurate text for names and mission stages. While FLUX.1 [dev] creates a more visually striking 'poster' atmosphere, its failure to generate readable text and its inclusion of irrelevant celestial bodies like Saturn make it less effective as an informational infographic.
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