Black Forest Labs' precision image generation model with maximum control, reliable text rendering, and complete creative control supporting up to 4MP output
Settled by community votes across 13 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
FLUX.2 [flex]
24.8
arena score
#14 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
· Text-to-Image
Recraft V4 Pro
24.3
arena score
#18 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
FLUX.2 [flex]
66.7%
win rate
Ties
0.0%
Recraft V4 Pro
33.3%
win rate
66.7%
0.0% ties
33.3%
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
100% wins
0% ties
0% wins
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent photographic quality and lighting
- + Clean interpretation of a glass container
- + Very aesthetically pleasing composition and depth of field
- − The sphere is quite large, almost touching the walls, rather than 'small'
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Perfect spatial arrangement of the sphere within the cube
- + Captures complex reflections and refractions through the glass
- + Texture of the book cover is highly realistic
- − The plant is very blurry and less distinct behind the glass
- − Lighting is a bit flat compared to the other model
Verdict: Both models followed the prompt perfectly, including the specific spatial relations of the objects. Recraft V4 Pro captures more realistic physics in the glass reflections, but FLUX.2 [flex] produced a more visually striking image with superior lighting and clarity. FLUX.2 is the winner for its professional photographic finish.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
100% wins
0% ties
0% wins
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent shallow depth of field and bokeh
- + High skin detail and realistic texture
- + Accurate depiction of a red bicycle with realistic mechanical parts
- − The 'imperfect framing' requested is not very apparent; the composition is quite balanced
- − The motion blur on the cars is relatively subtle
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Strong 'candid' street photography aesthetic
- + Effective use of rain textures and pavement reflections
- + Good interpretation of 'imperfect framing' with a slightly offset subject
- − The bicycle rendering is physically nonsensical with missing elements and floating parts
- − The man's hands are poorly defined and anatomically vague
- − The image has a visible film grain/noise that feels like stylization instead of a clean 50mm lens look
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] produced a much higher quality image with realistic textures and a correctly rendered bicycle, though it played it safe with the framing. Recraft V4 Pro captured the 'candid' mood and rain atmosphere more effectively, but failed significantly on the technical details of the bike and the man's hands.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent highlight reflections on the polished metal surfaces
- + High tactile detail on leather straps and knit cloth underlayer
- + Warm and vibrant lighting that creates a strong cinematic mood
- − The scars look a bit like fresh surface cuts rather than healed battle-worn history
- − Overall skin texture is slightly smoother than the 'dirt and scars' prompt implies
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Superb attention to the 'hair braided with small beads' requirement
- + Atmospheric lighting with deep shadows suits the battle-worn theme
- + Highly intricate floral engraving on the plate armor
- − The leather straps and cloth underlayers are less prominent than requested
- − Eyes are somewhat recessed in shadow, losing some of the 'lifelike' impact
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] excels in texture rendering, particularly the contrast between the metal armor, leather straps, and knit clothing, while providing a clear and vibrant portrait. Recraft V4 Pro offers a more atmospheric and gritty interpretation with superior braid and bead detailing, though it misses some of the material texture requested for the layers beneath the armor. FLUX.2 [flex] is the winner for its better adherence to the material detail requests and superior lighting.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent visual composition with a cohesive grid of food images
- + High-quality, vibrant food photography
- + Professional use of color accents and layout hierarchy
- − Text contains 'lorem ipsum' style gibberish in the descriptions
- − Food items in the photos do not always match the adjacent text
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Perfect legibility with clear, English descriptions and prices
- + Strong adherence to the three specific category headings requested
- + Crisp, clean minimalist layout that feels modern
- − Visual style of food photography is slightly less consistent than Model A
- − The grid layout is a bit basic compared to the professional flair of a standard menu template
Verdict: Recraft V4 Pro is the superior choice for a functional menu as it provides perfectly legible, contextually accurate text for every dish, whereas FLUX.2 [flex] relies on gibberish text in its descriptions. While FLUX.2 [flex] has a more sophisticated graphic design and more vibrant colors, Recraft V4 Pro successfully follows the prompt's layout requirements while maintaining real-world usability.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent photorealistic texture on the patty, lettuce, and bun
- + Very high-quality fiery text effects that perfectly match the prompt
- + Vibrant and appetizing lighting that creates a high-end commercial feel
- − The 'exploded' effect is less dramatic, with many components still appearing stacked together
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Dramatic 'exploded' composition with a great sense of motion and separation
- + Accurate rendering of the requested starburst for the price element
- + Clean, legible text for all three required messages
- − The textures on the bun and patty look slightly flatter and less realistic compared to Model A
- − The background/embers look a bit more sparse at the bottom of the frame
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] produces a much more appetizing and photorealistic image with superior text effects integrated into the atmosphere. While Recraft V4 Pro captures the 'exploded' dynamic more accurately by separating the ingredients further, its overall lighting and texture quality fall short of the commercial polish seen in FLUX.2.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent chalk texture and realistic handwritten variations.
- + Follows the request for elegant cursive in the title.
- + Natural board Smudges and wood framing enhance the cozy café atmosphere.
- − The text is slightly more 'perfected' than raw handwriting, though still very convincing.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Perfect text accuracy for all menu items.
- + Good composition with the hanging sign in a doorway.
- − Text looks like a digital font rather than authentic handwriting.
- − The title lacks the requested elegant cursive style.
- − The chalk texture on the letters is very uniform and artificial.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] successfully captured the 'handwritten' and 'chalk texture' requirements, providing a warm, authentic aesthetic with natural variations in the lettering. Recraft V4 Pro produced very clean and accurate text, but it failed to capture the organic feel of real chalk handwriting, resulting in a look that resembles a digital overlay more than a physical chalkboard.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
FLUX.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Perfectly follows the specific instruction of the horse being on top of the astronaut.
- + High vibrant colors and cinematic galaxy background.
- + Highly detailed rendering of both the horse anatomy and the spacesuit.
- − The astronaut's hand positioning on the horse's legs is slightly awkward.
- − Lower level of lighting realism compared to Model B.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Excellent photographic lighting and surface textures.
- + Atmospheric composition with realistic debris and moon background.
- − Completely failed the negative constraint/specific instruction by placing the astronaut on top of the horse.
- − The horse is missing its back right leg.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] is the clear winner as it successfully interpreted the surreal prompt instruction for the horse to be 'on top' of the astronaut, whereas Recraft V4 Pro produced a standard (though high-quality) image of an astronaut riding a horse. Despite Model B's impressive lighting, the failure to follow the core logic of the prompt makes it unsuccessful for this specific request.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent texture on the capybara's fur and the jacket fabric.
- + Strong adherence to the 'both front paws on the steering wheel' instruction with human-like grip.
- + Clear, high-quality lighting that highlights the taxi interior.
- − The hands look a bit too human/uncanny rather than being distinct capybara paws.
- − The composition feels slightly crowded near the dashboard.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Atmospheric rain effect on the car window adds to the realism of a New York night.
- + Capybara paws are more anatomically accurate while still holding the wheel.
- + Good depth of field with the city background and passenger.
- − The passenger's face is slightly less detailed/clear than Model A.
- − One of the front paws is positioned a bit low on the wheel, making the driving pose slightly less convincing.
Verdict: Both models followed the complex prompt very well, capturing the surreal concept with professional execution. FLUX.2 [flex] excels in fine textures and lighting, whereas Recraft V4 Pro creates a more moody and realistic Manhattan atmosphere with the addition of rain and more naturally shaped animal paws.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent typography style that matches the 'vintage gothic' request.
- + Superior adherence to the 'parchment' texture and poster layout.
- + Better composition with the jack-o-lantern centered and visual weight balanced.
- − The parchment edges are slightly generic compared to the intricate thorns in the other model.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Highly detailed 'thorns and webs' border design.
- + Colder, moodier color palette that fits the 'night sky' prompt well.
- + Crisp text rendering.
- − Missed the 'dark parchment' texture, looking more like a modern digital composite.
- − The scroll banner is very small and lacks a vintage aesthetic.
- − The font choice for the title is less 'gothic' than requested.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] successfully captured the vintage aesthetic and gothic typography requested, making it feel like a cohesive invitation on parchment. While Recraft V4 Pro had more intricate border details and lighting, its lack of parchment texture and choice of a more modern font made it less successful in meeting the prompt's stylistic requirements.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Perfectly balanced isometric composition and layout
- + Clean, bold, and precisely rendered text with a centered flag
- + Effective use of soft, pillowy 3D textures that match the 'miniature' aesthetic
- − The sushi and ginger look a bit like clay or plastic rather than food
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Excellent realistic PBR materials, especially on the salmon and roe
- + The diorama base has a unique salt or rice texture
- + High-quality text rendering and layout
- − The positioning of the flag and text is slightly inconsistent with the 'top-center' request
- − Slightly more cluttered composition compared to the 'minimal' request
Verdict: Both models performed exceptionally well on typography and layout. FLUX.2 [flex] captures the 'miniature 3D cartoon' aesthetic and isometric perspective more accurately, while Recraft V4 Pro excels at realistic material textures and food detail. FLUX.2 [flex] is the likely winner for its superior adherence to the clean, stylized diorama request.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
0% wins
0% ties
100% wins
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent adherence to all four animal types with clear, distinct features.
- + Beautiful composition that conveys a sense of movement and 'tumbling' together.
- + Strong lighting effects with prominent god rays and sparkling dew.
- − The fox kit has slightly unnatural, human-like eyes compared to the other animals.
- − The butterflies appear somewhat static and flat in their arrangement.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Naturalistic textures and fur rendering that feel very lifelike.
- + Dynamic, low-angle perspective that enhances the 'tumbling' action.
- + The kitten's expression is very detailed and engaging.
- − The fox's anatomy is slightly distorted, particularly where it joins the rest of the group.
- − The lighting is less 'golden' and magical than requested, appearing more like a standard daylight scene.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] produced a more balanced and literal interpretation of the prompt, including all requested animals with a clear, magical sunrise aesthetic. Recraft V4 Pro captures very high-quality textures and a more intimate perspective, but the lighting is cooler than requested and the composition feels slightly more cluttered. FLUX.2 [flex] is the winner for its superior atmospheric rendering and clear storytelling layout.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Clean, minimalist vector aesthetic perfect for modern branding.
- + Excellent adherence to the 'banner' prompt for the date.
- + Accurate typography including the grave accent on 'Caffè'.
- − The texture is very subtle, almost unnoticeable.
- − The cloche and steam elements are very basic shapes.
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Beautiful hand-drawn vintage engraving style.
- + More creative typography with elegant ligatures and flourishes.
- + Superior literal interpretation of a 'retro' design with hatching details.
- − The steam is floating below the cloche instead of rising from it.
- − Large white space between the image and text makes the composition feel slightly disconnected.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [flex] delivers a solid, professional minimalist vector logo that looks ready for commercial use, adhering strictly to the banner request. Recraft V4 Pro offers a more artistic and authentic 'vintage' feel with beautiful engraving details, though the placement of the steam element is logically confusing. Recraft V4 Pro is the winner for its superior creativity and adherence to the stylistic 'vintage' soul of the prompt.
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.2 [flex]
Recraft V4 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [flex]
- + Excellent typography and layout clarity
- + Detailed illustrations including a high-quality Earth and Moon
- + Consistent palette application from the prompt
- − Missed the final step (Landing on the surface)
- − The flow between the second and third steps is disjointed
Recraft V4 Pro
- + Followed all 6 prompt steps meticulously including the landing
- + Perfectly logical vertical timeline layout
- + Added creative supporting details like the astronaut profiles
- − The Saturn V rocket illustration is very weak and lacks proper vertical orientation
- − Graphic elements are slightly less refined than model a
Verdict: Recraft V4 Pro is the winner because it successfully followed the complex multi-step instructions, including the final 'Landing' step which FLUX.2 [flex] omitted. While FLUX.2 [flex] produced more polished individual icons, Recraft V4 Pro delivered a more functional and accurate infographic that adhered to the full list of required content.
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