Black Forest Labs' distilled 9 billion parameter image generation model with sub-second inference and multi-reference support
Settled by community votes across 13 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
20.6
arena score
#13 of 32 in Image Editing
Skill signature
· Image Editing
Recraft V4.1 Pro
21.0
arena score
#36 of 62 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
100.0%
win rate
Ties
0.0%
Recraft V4.1 Pro
0.0%
win rate
100.0%
0.0% ties
0.0%
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Natural, photorealistic lighting and depth of field
- + Accurately represents the soft window light effect
- + Clean glass textures with realistic reflections
- − The glass object is more of a rounded vase shape than a sharp cube
- − The blue sphere appears to be floating rather than resting on the bottom
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Excellent adherence to the 'cube' geometry with sharp edges
- + Strong color saturation on the red book and blue sphere
- + Good composition with the plant framing the subject
- − The glass cube appears to have no top surface, looking more like an open box
- − The lighting is a bit flat compared to the other model
Verdict: Both models followed the prompt instructions very well. FLUX.2 [klein] 9B produced a more believable, photographic scene with superior lighting, but Recraft V4.1 Pro followed the specific geometry of a 'cube' much better, whereas FLUX.2 produced a rounded container. Recraft V4.1 Pro is slightly preferred for its structural accuracy and the way the plant interacts with the glass.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
100% wins
0% ties
0% wins
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent skin and clothing textures with high realism
- + Consistent and logical bike mechanics and tool placement
- + Superior rendering of wet pavement reflections and raindrops
- − Static vehicles in the background lack the requested motion blur
- − The framing is quite central and clean, missing the 'imperfect' request
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Successfully captures motion blur of passing cars
- + Effective use of the 'imperfect framing' with a film-like crop
- + Strong atmospheric feeling of light rain and street movement
- − Anatomical issues with the man's hands and connection to the bike
- − The bike frame and wheels appear warped and structurally incorrect
- − Noticeable AI artifacts around the cap and hair
Verdict: FLUX.2 [klein] 9B produces an incredibly high-fidelity image with realistic textures and a very clean composition, though it ignores the request for motion blur. Recraft V4.1 Pro much better captures the 'candid' and 'imperfect' photography style with dynamic motion blur, but it fails significantly on anatomical and mechanical details. FLUX.2 is the winner for its overall clarity and coherent rendering of the subject.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent symmetrical composition
- + Very crisp engravings on the armor
- + Warm lighting feels natural and consistent with the torches
- − Scars look more like superficial cuts rather than a battle-worn history
- − The hair beads feel a bit repetitive and uniform
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Exceptional skin texture and gritty, battle-worn realism
- + Dynamic lighting with strong highlights and deeper shadows
- + Intricate and varied braided hair with realistic beads
- − The bokeh sparks appear slightly oversaturated/cyan in some areas
- − Focus is extremely tight, cutting off some of the requested armor detail
Verdict: While both models followed the prompt accurately, Recraft V4.1 Pro produced a far more cinematic and lifelike image with superior skin and leather textures. FLUX.2 [klein] 9B is very clean and well-composed, but it lacks the gritty, weathered depth that makes the Recraft output feel like a real 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.2 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Features a clear grid layout for food photos.
- + Strong, bold sans-serif header font.
- + Accurately includes all requested sections (Appetizers, Pizza, Mains).
- − Text is nonsensical and contains many spelling errors.
- − Photos are repetitive and lack variety.
- − Layout feels cluttered with inconsistent alignment.
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Excellent text legibility and realistic menu items.
- + Sophisticated minimalist composition with good white space.
- + Consistent color-coding for different menu sections.
- − The grid of photos is less structured than requested.
- − A bit sparse compared to a traditional full-page menu design.
Verdict: Recraft V4.1 Pro is the clear winner as it produces a professional, functional menu with legible English text and a clean minimalist aesthetic. While FLUX.2 [klein] 9B followed the 'grid' instruction more literally, the text is gibberish and the food images are too repetitive for a real restaurant use case.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent typography with a professional 3D beveled appearance and glowing effects.
- + Superior lighting and color saturation that creates a cohesive appetizing look.
- + Dynamic use of sparks and embers that enhances the sense of motion.
- − The burger is not fully 'exploded' as much as it is 'expanded', with components still largely stacked.
- − Includes extra elements like double patties not specifically requested.
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Perfectly captures the 'exploded' concept with widely separated, individually suspended ingredients.
- + Accurate rendering of the fiery, glowing text effect on every text element.
- + High clarity on individual textures like the tomato slices and sesame bun.
- − The composition feels slightly unbalanced with a lot of empty black space.
- − The sauce trail looks a bit stiff compared to the photorealistic food elements.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [klein] 9B produces a more polished and commercially viable advertisement with better lighting and professional graphic design. However, Recraft V4.1 Pro followed the 'exploded' instruction much better, displaying the components as individual floating pieces rather than a slightly expanded stack.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent chalk texture including realistic smear marks and dust
- + Perfect spelling of all requested menu items
- + High aesthetic quality with balanced composition and elegant cursive as requested
- − One minor typo 'fress' instead of 'fresh' in the bottom decorative text
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Natural, believable handwriting with slight variations
- + Good depth of field with the café background in view
- + Accurate spelling of the complex menu items
- − The chalk texture looks a bit too sharp and digital compared to Model A
- − Layout is slightly cramped at the top
- − Less elegant cursive for the title text compared to the prompt's request
Verdict: FLUX.2 [klein] 9B followed the prompt more closely, particularly regarding the 'elegant cursive' title and the rich, authentic chalk textures that include realistic smear marks. Recraft V4.1 Pro produced a very high-quality image with a better background context, but the overall presentation of the chalkboard feels slightly more like a digital font and less like a hand-drawn masterpiece.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent anatomical detail on the horse and spacesuit.
- + Vibrant and busy surrealist composition with multiple celestial bodies.
- + Good facial rendering within the helmet.
- − Failed the specific prompt instruction to put the horse on top of the astronaut.
- − Includes distracting nonsensical text/watermarks at the bottom.
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Beautiful cinematic lighting and particle effects.
- + Clean composition without artifacts or unwanted text.
- + High visual quality and realistic textures on the horse's coat.
- − Failed the specific prompt instruction to put the horse on top of the astronaut.
Verdict: Both FLUX.2 [klein] 9B and Recraft V4.1 Pro failed the core logic test of placing the horse on top of the astronaut, instead providing the standard Interpretation of an astronaut riding a horse. Recraft V4.1 Pro is the preferred image as it lacks the unsightly text artifacts found in the FLUX output and offers a more cohesive cinematic aesthetic.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent front-facing perspective that clearly shows both characters
- + Highly detailed capybara fur and professional expression
- + Photorealistic rendering of the woman's face and phone glow
- − The woman is placed in the front passenger seat instead of the back seat
- − Nonsensical text 'NEW TALA' on the hat
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Successfully placed the passenger in the back seat as requested
- + Great side-profile composition that feels like a cinematic still
- + Realistic taxi exterior and lighting effects
- − Passenger is slightly blurry/out of focus
- − Capybara's paws on the wheel look less defined than in the other model
Verdict: Recraft V4.1 Pro followed the spatial instructions more accurately by placing the passenger in the back seat, whereas FLUX.2 [klein] 9B placed her in the front. However, FLUX.2 [klein] 9B achieved higher clarity and detail in the characters' faces and textures. Recraft V4.1 Pro is the preferred choice for correctly interpreting the narrative layout of the prompt.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent typography integrated into a cohesive layout
- + Vibrant cinematic lighting and clear borders with web/thorns
- + Flawless rendering of all requested text and event details
- − The parchment texture is a bit subtle compared to the digital illustration feel
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Highly realistic and gritty texture on the pumpkin and environment
- + Sophisticated gothic font style with decorative flourishes
- + Very accurate parchment and aged paper aesthetic
- − The prompt requested the scroll banner for the 'You are invited' text, but the model used a modern-looking white ribbon
- − The framing of the main title is slightly cramped at the top top edges
Verdict: Both models followed the prompt exceptionally well, but FLUX.2 [klein] 9B is the winner due to better adherence to the specific element requests, particularly the integration of the scroll banner. While Recraft V4.1 Pro had more realistic textures, its choice of a bright white ribbon banner felt out of place with the vintage gothic theme compared to the cohesive design of FLUX.2.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent 3D miniature 'toy' aesthetic with soft textures
- + Perfect bold text rendering for both 'JAPAN' and 'SUSHI'
- + Well-defined wooden diorama base that fits the isometric theme
- − The flag icon is incorrect, resembling the flag of Yemen rather than Japan
- − The nigiri sushi structure is slightly awkward with the seaweed wrap
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Accurate Japanese flag icon next to the text
- + Creative interpretation of the diorama base consisting of a bed of rice
- + Clean, high-quality typography
- − The text 'JAPAN' is not perfectly centered relative to the layout
- − The lighting is a bit harsher compared to the requested 'gentle' lighting
Verdict: Both models followed the prompt instructions very well, capturing the 45-degree isometric perspective and clean styling. FLUX.2 [klein] 9B delivers a superior 3D miniature aesthetic with softer materials, but fails on the flag accuracy, whereas Recraft V4.1 Pro provides the correct flag and more realistic rice textures but lacks the charming toy-like quality of the first model.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Successfully includes the golden retriever, kitten, and fox with vibrant colors.
- + Excellent lighting effects with clear 'god rays' and warm golden hour atmosphere.
- + High-quality fur textures and crisp butterflies.
- − Missing the baby bunny requested in the prompt.
- − The positioning of the animals feels a bit static and posed rather than 'tumbling'.
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Complete prompt adherence including all four animals: puppy, kitten, fox, and bunny.
- + Dynamic composition that perfectly captures the 'tumbling' and 'chasing' action.
- + Beautifully rendered dew sparkles and realistic fur detail.
- − The fox's tail and hind area are slightly confused with the background foliage.
- − The kitten's facial expression is slightly less expressive than Model A.
Verdict: Recraft V4.1 Pro is the clear winner as it successfully included all four requested animals, including the baby bunny which FLUX.2 [klein] 9B omitted. Furthermore, Recraft V4.1 Pro captured the dynamic energy of 'tumbling together' with a more natural and playful composition compared to the more static arrangement in the other image.
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 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Excellent typography with proper accent on 'Caffè'.
- + Clean vector-style emblem with well-balanced proportions.
- + Accurate adherence to the 'warm brown and cream' color palette with subtle paper texture.
- − The steam element is a bit thick and less elegant than the rest of the design.
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Elegant, thin wisps for the steam effect.
- + Minimalist approach that looks like a modern take on a vintage logo.
- − The 'Est. 1720' text is extremely small and difficult to read.
- − The banner is disconnected from the central emblem, creating a fragmented layout.
- − Background texture is nearly invisible, failing the 'subtle texture' request.
Verdict: FLUX.2 [klein] 9B is the superior choice as it provides a cohesive emblem design where all elements, including the banner and typography, are perfectly integrated. While Recraft V4.1 Pro has a nice minimalist aesthetic, the fragmentation of the logo elements and the tiny, illegible text on the banner make it less functional 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.2 [klein] 9B
Recraft V4.1 Pro
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.2 [klein] 9B
- + Strong illustrative style with engaging colors
- + Captures the sense of a cohesive poster
- + Includes the requested three-person crew silhouettes
- − Significant spelling errors throughout almost every label (e.g., 'EARDHT', 'TRANSLURAL', 'LANDINING')
- − Logical flow of steps is disorganized and confusing
- − Visual elements overlap in a cluttered way
Recraft V4.1 Pro
- + Excellent typography with nearly perfect spelling
- + Follows the requested layout and icon sequence accurately
- + Clean, professional vector aesthetic that matches the infographic prompt
- − Double-numbered step 05 for both descent and landing
- − Icon for Translunar is a bit abstract compared to other steps
Verdict: Recraft V4.1 Pro is the clear winner as it produces a professional, legible infographic with correct spelling and a clear logical flow. FLUX.2 [klein] 9B creates an interesting illustration but fails significantly on text accuracy and the instructional structure required for an infographic.
Next steps
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Recraft V4.1 Pro tier text-to-image model — supports up to 2048×2048 and ultra-wide formats for hero imagery, campaigns, and print-ready work