WhichAI.todayGPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst
OpenAI
Pick this when the picture has to look right the first time.
Skip it when you need fast generation or unmetered local generation.
LMArena Text-to-Image 1429.
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst vs Qwen-Image-2.1
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Checked daily.
The short answer
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst ranks ahead in every job we track where either appears (images).
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst
1 of 1 job ahead
Paid plan
Qwen-Image-2.1
0 of 1 job ahead
Free (limited)
Head to head, job by job
Each job ranks a #1, an alternative, and an open-weights pick from public leaderboards. Bars compare the two scores on that job's own signal.
GPT-Image-2.5 SunburstQwen-Image-2.1
Which one should you pick?
Qwen-Image-2.1
Alibaba
Pick this when you want the highest-performing downloadable open-weight image model.
Skip it if you require commercial licensing or lack sufficient GPU hardware.
LMArena Text-to-Image 1223.
Price, access, and privacy
GPT-Image-2.5 SunburstQwen-Image-2.1
Cost
$20/month for ChatGPT Plus, or token billing via the OpenAI API.
The weights are free to download and run on local hardware.
Free tier
Free users have access to image generation with daily rate limits.
The weights are free to download under the Qwen Research License.
Where to get it
Trains on chats
Yes on personal Free, Plus, and Pro. Improve the model for everyone is on by default. Settings, Data controls, turn off Improve the model for everyone.
Not checked yet.
Released
Before our release log began.
Before our release log began.
Try both with the same prompt
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst
Make one image of this subject. Leave space for text I will add later.
Qwen-Image-2.1
Make one image from this description. Keep the subject obvious.
Want a sharper prompt? Build one for either model.
Ranking history
- Oct 25, 2026. GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst is the first leader on record. LMArena Text-to-Image 1425.
Questions
Is GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst or Qwen-Image-2.1 better for images?
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst ranks ahead for images on LMArena Text-to-Image. GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst is the #1 pick (1429); Qwen-Image-2.1 is the open weights pick (1223).
Which is cheaper, GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst or Qwen-Image-2.1?
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst: $20/month for ChatGPT Plus, or token billing via the OpenAI API. Qwen-Image-2.1: The weights are free to download and run on local hardware.
Can I use GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst or Qwen-Image-2.1 for free?
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst: Free users have access to image generation with daily rate limits. Qwen-Image-2.1: The weights are free to download under the Qwen Research License.
Which is more private, GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst or Qwen-Image-2.1?
GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst (OpenAI): Yes on personal Free, Plus, and Pro. Improve the model for everyone is on by default. Qwen-Image-2.1 (Alibaba): Privacy default not checked.