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Qwen Image Alibaba Recraft V4 Recraft AI

Settled by community votes across 13 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.

Qwen Image

20.3 arena score

#40 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

Qwen Image

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent photographic quality and lighting
  • + Matches all spatial prompt requirements perfectly
  • + The glass cube has realistic thickness and internal reflections
  • The plant is quite blurred in the background
  • The sphere appears more like a plastic marble than glass

Recraft V4

  • + Strong adherence to the 'visible through the glass' instruction
  • + Realistic texture on the red book and wooden table
  • + Sophisticated glass refraction effects
  • The blue sphere appears to be floating unnaturally without support
  • The lighting feels a bit harsher than 'soft window light'

Verdict: Qwen Image provides a more aesthetically pleasing composition with superior soft lighting and a more balanced layout. While Recraft V4 does a better job showing the plant through the glass, it fails on basic physics by having the sphere float in the center of the air-filled cube, whereas Qwen Image places it firmly on the bottom surface.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent depiction of surface reflections and wet pavement
  • + Natural and realistic skin texture on the man's hands and face
  • + Superior bicycle anatomy and structural coherence
  • The car in the background lacks the requested motion blur
  • The 'imperfect framing' prompt led to a slightly awkward pole on the left edge

Recraft V4

  • + Perfectly captures the motion blur and bustling city atmosphere
  • + Strong sense of 'imperfect framing' and 'candid' street photography aesthetic
  • + Beautifully rendered rain drops and lighting effects
  • Severe anatomical errors with the bicycle, specifically the floating handlebars and disconnected frame
  • The man's posture and interaction with the bike are less logical than in Model A

Verdict: Recraft V4 captures the requested mood and cinematic realism much better, effectively incorporating motion blur and a candid street feel. However, Qwen Image is the better overall image because Recraft V4 fails significantly on the structural integrity of the bicycle, whereas Qwen Image maintains high technical quality and logical coherence throughout.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI judge analysis unavailable for this challenge.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent use of a photography grid as requested
  • + Strong modern graphic design aesthetic with vibrant background blocks
  • + Clear categorization into titled sections
  • Text consists of nonsensical gibberish
  • The 'Pizza/mains' section uses a slash instead of separating the categories

Recraft V4

  • + Perfect English text rendering with logical descriptions and pricing
  • + Highly realistic food photography with consistent lighting
  • + Strictly follows the requested sections: Appetizers, Pizza, and Mains
  • Layout is a standard vertical list rather than the requested 'grid' of photos at the top
  • Less 'vibrant' branding compared to the colorful blocks in model A

Verdict: Recraft V4 is the superior choice because it produces a fully legible and professional menu with perfect text and high-quality food assets. While Qwen Image followed the 'grid' layout instruction more creatively, its failure to generate readable text makes it less useful for a professional design task.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent fiery backgrounds and glowing text effects that meet the prompt's stylistic requirements perfectly.
  • + Very high visual quality with vibrant colors and professional-looking food product lighting.
  • + Perfect text rendering for all requested elements, including the starburst.
  • The burger is not fully 'exploded'; the core ingredients are still mostly stacked rather than individually suspended.
  • The placement of the '€6.99' starburst overlaps some background elements, making it feel slightly crowded.

Recraft V4

  • + Highly effective 'exploded' view, with all components clearly separated and suspended in mid-air as requested.
  • + Excellent photorealistic textures on the bun and patty, looking more like real, unedited food photography.
  • + The composition uses the vertical space well to show the motion of the ingredients.
  • The background is quite dark and lacks the requested 'fiery background with glowing embers' intensity.
  • The fiery effect on the text is less pronounced and less integrated than in the competing image.
  • Includes a white plate at the bottom which was not requested and slightly disrupts the floating effect.

Verdict: Qwen Image delivers a superior commercial aesthetic with vibrant glowing effects and professional-grade lighting, though it fails to fully 'explode' the burger. Recraft V4 follows the structural prompt more accurately by separating every ingredient, but it misses the intensity of the fiery background requested. Qwen Image is the likely winner for its cohesive adherence to the visual style and perfect text integration.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent chalk texture and smudging effects on the blackboard surface.
  • + Bold, legible text that captures the requested 'handwritten' aesthetic well.
  • + Correct spelling for almost all menu items.
  • Significant error in the date, rendering it as '20026' instead of '2026'.
  • Text lacks the 'elegant cursive' requested for the title.

Recraft V4

  • + Perfect adherence to the requested date and text content.
  • + Beautifully rendered chalk illustrations that enhance the café theme.
  • + The text style is more consistent and delicate, fitting a high-end menu.
  • The text is quite small and slightly harder to read against the busy chalkboard texture.
  • The font style is a bit uniform, appearing slightly more like a digital font than Model A.

Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it followed all prompt instructions, including the specific date and full menu items, whereas Qwen Image failed the date significantly (rendering 20026). Recraft V4 also added creative flair with relevant chalk illustrations that fit the cozy café atmosphere perfectly.

The Reversed Rodeo

Text-to-Image

“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent clarity and lighting on the space suit
  • + Smooth, cinematic composition with a clear view of the planet
  • + Precise rendering of the horse's anatomy and tack
  • The horse legs look slightly unaligned in their floating stance
  • Standard 'stock photo' aesthetic lacks a bit of the requested surrealism

Recraft V4

  • + High artistic value with dynamic movement and texture
  • + Excellent cinematic lighting and grit matching the 'surreal' prompt
  • + Intricate detail in the asteroid field and stardust
  • The astronaut's suit is less distinct and blends into the horse
  • Composition is a bit cluttered with rocks, making the main subject harder to see

Verdict: Both models followed the specific spatial prompt correctly, placing the astronaut on top of the horse. Qwen Image provides a cleaner, more literal interpretation with vibrant colors, while Recraft V4 offers a much more atmospheric, surreal, and detailed cinematic experience. Recraft V4 is preferred for its superior artistic texture and adherence to the 'surreal' descriptor.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent high-resolution rendering of the capybara's fur and the taxi interior.
  • + Clearer view of the driver's outfit and detailed taxi cap.
  • + Accurate portrayal of the bored businesswoman in the background.
  • The capybara's hands look more like primate hands than capybara paws.
  • The taxi sign on the roof appears to be backwards or awkwardly placed.

Recraft V4

  • + Features more realistic, stubby capybara-like paws on the steering wheel.
  • + The inclusion of rain on the window adds to the atmospheric New York aesthetic.
  • + Accurate New York City skyline visible in the background.
  • Overall image is slightly more grainy/noisy than Model A.
  • The businesswoman in the back is slightly out of focus and less detailed.

Verdict: Both models followed the prompt exceptionally well, capturing the surreal yet professional scene. Qwen Image provides a cleaner, sharper image with better interior lighting, while Recraft V4 excels in atmosphere with the addition of rain and more anatomically convincing capybara 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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent typography rendering with almost no errors
  • + Strong thematic bordering that incorporates both thorns and webs as requested
  • + Clean and balanced vertical hierarchy of text elements
  • The main title 'Hallow Party' misses the 'een' in the primary gothic font
  • The lighting is somewhat flat compared to the other model

Recraft V4

  • + High visual detail with complex textures for the pumpkin and trees
  • + Dynamic lighting and atmospheric rain/fog effects
  • + Perfect spelling on the main title and event details
  • The 'scroll banner' is just a flat white label that feels out of place
  • The thorn element in the border is less distinct than the web detail

Verdict: Both models followed the prompt closely, but Recraft V4 created a more cinematic and visually rich scene with superior detail in the pumpkin and atmosphere. While Qwen Image had a very organized layout and charming 'parchment' aesthetic, it slightly failed on the main title text spelling ('Hallow Party'), whereas Recraft V4 handled all text labels perfectly.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Excellent adherence to the '3D cartoon scene' and 'soft refined textures' style.
  • + Perfectly follows all text instructions with bold typography and a logical layout.
  • + The diorama base is clean and reflects the miniature isometric aesthetic well.
  • The salmon nigiri sushi looks slightly simplified/plastic compared to realistic PBR textures.
  • Includes an extra physical flag on the tray not explicitly mentioned besides the top icon.

Recraft V4

  • + Features more realistic PBR materials for the fish and rice as requested.
  • + Clean typography that fits the high-end food photography look.
  • + Accurate sushi types (maguro, sake, maki) with impressive detail.
  • Failed to follow the '3D cartoon' style, opting for a realistic photo style instead.
  • The salt/ice diorama base feels a bit messy compared to the 'ultra-clean' requirement.
  • Positioning of the flag icon is at the very top edge, slightly cramped.

Verdict: Qwen Image perfectly captured the requested '3D cartoon scene' and isometric diorama aesthetic, though its textures are a bit stylized. Recraft V4 provided more realistic materials but completely missed the cartoon/miniature art style requested in the prompt. Qwen Image is the winner for total prompt adherence and cohesive composition.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Strong bokeh and lighting effects create a warm, cinematic atmosphere.
  • + Clean fur textures and clear, expressive eyes on all animals.
  • + Balanced central composition with distinct character placement.
  • The characters feel static and 'posed' rather than playfully chasing and tumbling.
  • The golden retriever appears much larger and more mature compared to the other 'baby' animals.

Recraft V4

  • + Excellent depiction of movement and playful energy, matching the 'tumbling' and 'chasing' prompt.
  • + Superior lighting effects with visible god rays and dew sparkles throughout the scene.
  • + More accurate scale between the different baby animals.
  • The bunny's anatomy is slightly awkward with its upright, floating posture.
  • Lower sharpness on the kitten's face compared to the other animals.

Verdict: Recraft V4 captured the dynamic energy of the prompt much better, showing the animals actually running and 'chasing' in a lush environment with impressive lighting. While Qwen Image produced a very clean and cute portrait, it felt static and posed, missing the sense of action requested in the description.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Strong minimalist vector style
  • + Excellent use of the requested banner element
  • + Clear warm brown and cream color palette
  • Confused typography with overlapping letters
  • The texture is a bit flat compared to the other model

Recraft V4

  • + Beautiful, high-end classic typography
  • + Sophisticated cross-hatching detail on the cloche
  • + Perfect spelling and legibility of all text
  • Failed to include a 'banner' as requested, opting for a semi-circle instead
  • Steam is very subtle compared to Model A

Verdict: Recraft V4 produced a much more professional and aesthetically pleasing logo with superior typography and sophisticated illustrative details. While Qwen Image followed the specific request for a 'banner' more literally, it suffered from cluttered and illegible text layout, making Recraft V4 the clear winner for design quality.

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.”

Qwen Image
Recraft V4

AI Judge Analysis

Qwen Image

  • + Stronger visual appeal through background elements and moon surface detail
  • + Vibrant colors that pop against the dark navy background
  • Poor text rendering with several misspellings and gibberish phrases
  • Confused flow of steps that mixes Earth and Lunar descriptions
  • Incorrectly included prompt instructions like '(Stop at landing)' as part of the header text

Recraft V4

  • + Excellent text rendering with no spelling errors in names or titles
  • + Followed all six steps of the mission chronologically and accurately
  • + Includes all requested icons in a clean, professional vector layout
  • Composition feels a bit sparse with a lot of white space
  • The Saturn V icon is very small and lacks detail

Verdict: Recraft V4 followed the instructions perfectly, providing all six requested steps with zero spelling errors and a clean, consistent icon set. In contrast, Qwen Image failed to include all steps, mixed up the text for Earth/Lunar orbits, and included literal prompt instructions in the final design. While Qwen Image has a more engaging background, Recraft V4 is the superior infographic due to its accuracy and legibility.

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