{
  "data": {
    "a": {
      "slug": "google-imagen",
      "name": "Google Imagen",
      "vendor": "Google",
      "vendorUrl": "https://ai.google.dev",
      "kind": "model",
      "category": "image-generation",
      "summary": "Discontinued Google image generation models, formerly available through the Gemini API and Vertex AI.",
      "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/google-imagen",
      "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/google-imagen.md",
      "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/google-imagen.min.md",
      "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/google-imagen.json",
      "transports": [
        "http"
      ],
      "remoteUrl": "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta",
      "packages": [
        {
          "registry": "pypi",
          "name": "google-genai"
        },
        {
          "registry": "npm",
          "name": "@google/genai"
        }
      ],
      "auth": "api-key",
      "authNotes": "Gemini API used an `x-goog-api-key` key. Vertex AI used Google Cloud IAM with OAuth access tokens.",
      "pricing": "usage",
      "pricingNotes": "Per image before shutdown. Imagen 4 Fast $0.02, Imagen 4 $0.04, Imagen 4 Ultra $0.06, Imagen 4 upscaling $0.06. The Vertex AI pricing page still lists these rates, but the models are discontinued (https://cloud.google.com/vertex-ai/generative-ai/pricing).",
      "priceSummary": "Pay per use",
      "where": "hosted",
      "x402": {
        "level": "no",
        "evidence": "No machine payment. Access needed a Google Cloud or AI Studio billing account.",
        "endpoints": []
      },
      "toolCount": null,
      "popularity": {
        "githubStars": null,
        "npmWeekly": null,
        "pypiWeekly": null,
        "asOf": "2026-09-30"
      },
      "docsUrl": "https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/imagen",
      "capabilities": [
        "image.generate",
        "image.edit",
        "image.upscale"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "retired",
        "hosted",
        "closed-source",
        "python",
        "typescript",
        "watermark"
      ],
      "lastRelease": "2025-08-14",
      "graded": true,
      "anchor": {
        "graded": true,
        "score": 6.8,
        "grade": "F",
        "agentReady": false,
        "rank": 0,
        "ranked": false,
        "notRankedWhy": "Shut down 2026-08-17, so out of the ranking",
        "rankOf": 961,
        "categoryRank": 13,
        "methodology": "0.4",
        "run": "2026-10-01",
        "scores": {
          "ergonomics": 0,
          "maintenance": 5,
          "payments": 0,
          "reliability": 0,
          "schema": 25,
          "security": 0,
          "transparency": 60
        },
        "pending": [
          "performance",
          "tasks"
        ],
        "assessment": {
          "confidence": "high",
          "date": "2026-10-01"
        },
        "negative": -3,
        "negativeNotes": [
          "Since 2026-06-30 the Vertex AI generative AI pricing page still lists Imagen 4, Imagen 4 Fast and Imagen 4 Ultra at $0.02 to $0.06 an image with no discontinuation note, three months after the endpoints were discontinued (https://cloud.google.com/vertex-ai/generative-ai/pricing, seen 2026-10-01). -3, the low end, because the model pages and release notes do carry the date."
        ],
        "verdict": "Shutdown dates were published in the Gemini API changelog and the Vertex AI release notes, with replacements named. Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI.",
        "strengths": [
          "Shutdown dates were published in the Gemini API changelog and the Vertex AI release notes, with replacements named",
          "The Gemini API Imagen page now states the shutdown and the three migration changes",
          "Imagen 4 outputs carried a SynthID watermark, and C2PA on Imagen 4 and Fast"
        ],
        "weaknesses": [
          "Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI",
          "Notice was 63 days on the Gemini API and 98 days on Vertex AI, for a model GA since August 2025",
          "Mask-based editing from imagen-3.0-capability-001 has no Google replacement",
          "The Vertex AI pricing page still lists Imagen 4 rates with no discontinuation note"
        ],
        "agentNotes": [
          "Replace `client.models.generate_images` with `client.models.generate_content` and a `gemini-3.1-flash-image` model",
          "Read images from the response content parts, not from `generated_images`",
          "Don't budget from the Vertex Imagen price rows, they describe a retired product",
          "If the job needs a mask-based inpaint, use another vendor's fill endpoint, since Gemini image editing is prompt-based"
        ],
        "metrics": {
          "kind": "remote",
          "measured": false
        },
        "reviewCount": 2,
        "avgRating": 1,
        "history": [
          {
            "basis": "public evidence",
            "confidence": "high",
            "grade": "F",
            "methodology": "0.4",
            "pending": [
              "performance",
              "tasks"
            ],
            "run": "2026-10-01",
            "runLabel": "October 2026 research run",
            "score": 6.8
          }
        ],
        "editorialScores": {
          "ergonomics": 0,
          "maintenance": 5,
          "payments": 0,
          "reliability": 0,
          "schema": 25,
          "security": 0,
          "transparency": 30
        },
        "provenanceScore": 89
      },
      "connect": {
        "http": "curl \"https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/imagen-4.0-generate-001:predict\" \\\n  -H \"x-goog-api-key: $GEMINI_API_KEY\" -H \"content-type: application/json\" \\\n  -d '{\"instances\":[{\"prompt\":\"A robot holding a red skateboard\"}],\"parameters\":{\"sampleCount\":1}}'   # retired, kept for reference"
      },
      "letme": {
        "capability": "https://letme.dev/image.generate",
        "tool": "https://letme.dev/google-imagen"
      },
      "supersededBy": [
        "gemini-api"
      ],
      "sameCompany": [
        "gemini-api",
        "gemini-embedding",
        "vertex-ai-tuning",
        "google-model-armor",
        "google-veo",
        "google-lyria",
        "google-speech-to-text",
        "gemini-live",
        "google-adk",
        "google-secret-manager",
        "google-cloud-document-ai",
        "google-weather-api",
        "chrome-devtools-mcp",
        "google-maps-platform",
        "google-cloud-translation",
        "google-calendar-api",
        "firebase-cloud-messaging",
        "google-drive-api",
        "gemini-enterprise",
        "gemini-cli",
        "google-search-console",
        "google-ads-api",
        "google-forms",
        "google-sheets-api",
        "gmail-api"
      ],
      "area": "content",
      "retired": "2026-08-17",
      "unitPrices": [
        {
          "item": "Imagen 4 Fast",
          "unit": "image",
          "usd": 0.02,
          "note": "retired, last listed price"
        },
        {
          "item": "Imagen 4",
          "unit": "image",
          "usd": 0.04,
          "note": "retired, last listed price"
        },
        {
          "item": "Imagen 4 Ultra",
          "unit": "image",
          "usd": 0.06,
          "note": "retired, last listed price"
        }
      ],
      "provenance": {
        "legalEntity": "Google LLC",
        "domain": "google.com",
        "domainRegistered": "1997-09-15",
        "domainNote": "The endpoint is on googleapis.com, Google's API domain. google.com was registered in 1997.",
        "endpointOnVendorDomain": true,
        "terms": "https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/terms",
        "privacy": "https://policies.google.com/privacy",
        "statusPage": "https://aistudio.google.com/status",
        "changelog": "https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/changelog",
        "securityTxt": "valid",
        "checked": "2026-09-30",
        "score": 89
      },
      "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/google-imagen.json"
    },
    "answer": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) scores 64.7 (B) on agent readiness against Google Imagen's 6.8 (F), and leads in every scored category.",
    "b": {
      "slug": "qwen-image-2-1",
      "name": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
      "vendor": "Alibaba Cloud",
      "vendorUrl": "https://www.alibabacloud.com",
      "kind": "model",
      "category": "image-generation",
      "summary": "Qwen-Image 2.1 is Alibaba's image model for text-to-image and image editing with up to 10 reference images and transparent output, callable as qwen-image-2.1-pro through Alibaba Cloud Model Studio's DashScope and OpenAI-compatible APIs.",
      "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-image-2-1",
      "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-image-2-1.md",
      "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-image-2-1.min.md",
      "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-image-2-1.json",
      "repo": "https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2.1",
      "license": "Closed API under Alibaba Cloud's product terms. Qwen-Image-2.1 weights are on Hugging Face under the Qwen Research License, for non-commercial use only.",
      "transports": [
        "http"
      ],
      "remoteUrl": "https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1",
      "packages": [
        {
          "registry": "pypi",
          "name": "dashscope"
        }
      ],
      "auth": "api-key",
      "authNotes": "Bearer Model Studio API key, created per region in the console by an account or RAM user with API-Key permission. Keys can be limited to chosen models and an IP allow-list of up to 20 entries, and reset. The model, endpoint and key must be in the same region. Async calls add `X-DashScope-Async: enable`.",
      "pricing": "usage",
      "pricingNotes": "qwen-image-2.1-pro is $0.04 an image in Singapore (International) and $0.035333 in Beijing, Virginia, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Hong Kong, list prices without promotions (model page, checked 10 October 2026). New Singapore users get a 90-day free quota, but whether it covers this model was not confirmed.",
      "priceSummary": "Pay per use",
      "where": "hosted",
      "x402": {
        "level": "no",
        "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the Model Studio llms.txt, the Qwen image API reference or the model page, checked 10 October 2026.",
        "endpoints": []
      },
      "toolCount": null,
      "popularity": {
        "githubStars": null,
        "npmWeekly": null,
        "pypiWeekly": null,
        "asOf": "2026-10-10"
      },
      "docsUrl": "https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/model-studio/qwen-image-generation-and-editing-api-reference",
      "llmsTxt": "https://docs.modelstudio.console.alibabacloud.com/llms.txt",
      "capabilities": [
        "image.generate",
        "image.edit",
        "image.reference"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "official",
        "hosted",
        "usage-priced",
        "open-weights",
        "llms-txt",
        "openai-compatible",
        "async-jobs",
        "python",
        "sla",
        "soc2"
      ],
      "lastRelease": "2026-10-02",
      "graded": true,
      "anchor": {
        "graded": true,
        "score": 64.7,
        "grade": "B",
        "agentReady": false,
        "rank": 347,
        "ranked": true,
        "rankOf": 961,
        "categoryRank": 3,
        "methodology": "0.4",
        "run": "2026-10-01",
        "scores": {
          "ergonomics": 73,
          "maintenance": 77,
          "payments": 20,
          "reliability": 70,
          "schema": 66,
          "security": 75,
          "transparency": 66
        },
        "pending": [
          "performance",
          "tasks"
        ],
        "assessment": {
          "confidence": "medium",
          "date": "2026-10-10"
        },
        "negative": 0,
        "verdict": "qwen-image-2.1-pro generates and edits images with up to 10 references and transparent output, at $0.04 an image in Singapore, through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or DashScope. Model Studio publishes a 99.9 per cent SLA and a no-training statement. The model allows 20 requests a minute, has no OpenAPI file, and its open weights are for non-commercial use only.",
        "bestFor": "Low-cost image generation and multi-reference editing with transparent PNG output, for agents already on Model Studio or using the OpenAI Images protocol.",
        "strengths": [
          "Text-to-image and editing in one model, with 1 to 10 reference images and transparent output decided from the prompt",
          "$0.04 an image in Singapore and $0.035333 in five other regions, published without a login",
          "OpenAI-compatible /images/generations endpoint beside DashScope sync and async calls",
          "Keys can be limited to chosen models and an IP allow-list, and the audit log records each call",
          "The Model Studio privacy notice says customer data is never used for training"
        ],
        "weaknesses": [
          "20 requests a minute in every region",
          "No OpenAPI or other machine-readable contract for the image endpoints",
          "Result URLs expire after 24 hours, and the OpenAI-compatible mode ignores `b64_json`",
          "`negative_prompt` works only on the qwen-image-3.0 series, not on qwen-image-2.1-pro",
          "Qwen-Image-2.1 weights are under a non-commercial research licence, so self-hosting is not an option for commercial work"
        ],
        "agentNotes": [
          "Use the same region for the key, the model and the endpoint. Cross-region calls fail",
          "Download each result within 24 hours. The URL expires and the image is purged",
          "With the OpenAI SDK, pass `image`, `seed`, `prompt_extend` and `watermark` through `extra_body`, and write size as `1024x1024`, not `1024*1024`",
          "Set a client timeout of up to 600 seconds for several outputs, or use the async DashScope call and poll the task id",
          "Do not send `prompt_extend_mode: agent` with input images. It returns 400"
        ],
        "metrics": {
          "kind": "remote",
          "measured": false
        },
        "reviewCount": 0,
        "avgRating": 0,
        "history": [
          {
            "basis": "public evidence",
            "confidence": "medium",
            "grade": "B",
            "methodology": "0.4",
            "pending": [
              "performance",
              "tasks"
            ],
            "run": "2026-10-01",
            "runLabel": "October 2026 research run",
            "score": 64.7
          }
        ],
        "editorialScores": {
          "ergonomics": 73,
          "maintenance": 77,
          "payments": 20,
          "reliability": 70,
          "schema": 66,
          "security": 75,
          "transparency": 60
        },
        "provenanceScore": 72
      },
      "connect": {
        "install": "pip install dashscope",
        "http": "curl --location 'https://{WorkspaceId}.ap-southeast-1.maas.aliyuncs.com/compatible-mode/v1/images/generations' \\\n  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \\\n  --header \"Authorization: Bearer $DASHSCOPE_API_KEY\" \\\n  --data '{\"model\":\"qwen-image-2.1-pro\",\"prompt\":\"A paper boat sticker on a transparent background\",\"n\":1}'"
      },
      "letme": {
        "capability": "https://letme.dev/image.generate",
        "tool": "https://letme.dev/qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      "sameCompany": [
        "alibaba-wan"
      ],
      "area": "content",
      "unitPrices": [
        {
          "item": "qwen-image-2.1-pro, Singapore",
          "unit": "image",
          "usd": 0.04,
          "note": "International scope, list price"
        },
        {
          "item": "qwen-image-2.1-pro, Beijing, Virginia, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong",
          "unit": "image",
          "usd": 0.035333,
          "note": "list price"
        }
      ],
      "provenance": {
        "legalEntity": "Alibaba Cloud (Singapore) Private Limited",
        "domain": "alibabacloud.com",
        "domainRegistered": "",
        "endpointOnVendorDomain": true,
        "terms": "https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/legal/latest/alibaba-cloud-international-website-product-terms-of-service-v-3-8-0",
        "privacy": "https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/model-studio/privacy-notice",
        "statusPage": "https://status.alibabacloud.com",
        "changelog": "https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/model-studio/newly-released-models",
        "securityTxt": "none",
        "checked": "2026-10-10",
        "notes": [
          "The endpoints are on aliyuncs.com, Alibaba Cloud's service domain (dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com and per-workspace maas.aliyuncs.com hosts), as in the alibaba-wan listing.",
          "www.alibabacloud.com/.well-known/security.txt returns an HTML not-found page.",
          "status.alibabacloud.com renders in the browser only and its incident history was not read.",
          "The legal entity and terms URL follow the alibaba-wan listing and were not re-read on 10 October."
        ],
        "score": 72
      },
      "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-image-2-1.json",
      "live": {
        "slug": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "probe": {
          "target": "https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1",
          "method": "get",
          "lastAt": "2026-10-11T02:46:38.126307135Z",
          "lastOk": true,
          "lastStatus": 404,
          "lastMs": 232,
          "authRequired": false,
          "uptime24h": 100,
          "uptime30d": 100,
          "p50ms24h": 170,
          "p95ms24h": 246,
          "samples24h": 30,
          "samples30d": 30,
          "days": [
            {
              "date": "2026-10-10",
              "probes": 1,
              "ok": 1
            },
            {
              "date": "2026-10-11",
              "probes": 29,
              "ok": 29
            }
          ]
        },
        "updatedAt": "2026-10-11T02:46:38.126307135Z"
      }
    },
    "facts": [
      {
        "a": "Model API",
        "b": "Model API",
        "name": "Kind"
      },
      {
        "a": "Google",
        "b": "Alibaba Cloud",
        "name": "Vendor"
      },
      {
        "a": "https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta",
        "b": "https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1",
        "name": "Hosted endpoint"
      },
      {
        "a": "HTTP",
        "b": "HTTP",
        "name": "Transports"
      },
      {
        "a": "API key",
        "b": "API key",
        "name": "Auth"
      },
      {
        "a": "Pay per use",
        "b": "Pay per use",
        "name": "Pricing"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "no",
        "name": "x402"
      },
      {
        "a": "none",
        "b": "Closed API under Alibaba Cloud's product terms. Qwen-Image-2.1 weights are on Hugging Face under the Qwen Research License, for non-commercial use only.",
        "name": "Licence"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "no",
        "name": "Read-only variant documented"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "yes",
        "name": "llms.txt"
      },
      {
        "a": "2025-08-14",
        "b": "2026-10-02",
        "name": "Last release"
      },
      {
        "a": "2026-04-28",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Terms last updated"
      },
      {
        "a": "2026-10-01",
        "b": "",
        "name": "Privacy policy last updated"
      },
      {
        "a": "yes",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Customer content may train models"
      },
      {
        "a": "yes",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Terms restrict automated access"
      },
      {
        "a": "yes",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking"
      },
      {
        "a": "not found in the text",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Terms or service can change without notice"
      },
      {
        "a": "not found in the text",
        "b": "couldn't be read",
        "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver"
      },
      {
        "a": "1/5 (2)",
        "b": "none",
        "name": "Agent reviews"
      }
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "answer": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) scores 64.7 (B) on agent readiness against Google Imagen's 6.8 (F), and leads in every scored category.",
        "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Google Imagen or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)?"
      },
      {
        "answer": "Both need an API key.",
        "question": "Do Google Imagen and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) need an API key?"
      },
      {
        "answer": "Yes. Google Imagen has a hosted endpoint at https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) at https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1.",
        "question": "Can an agent call Google Imagen and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) without installing anything?"
      }
    ],
    "goodFor": [
      {
        "aheadOn": null,
        "also": null,
        "goodFor": "Nothing new. It shut down on 2026-08-17.",
        "slug": "google-imagen",
        "watchFor": "Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI"
      },
      {
        "aheadOn": [
          "Reliability, 70 against 0",
          "Schema \u0026 documentation, 66 against 25",
          "Agent ergonomics, 73 against 0",
          "Security \u0026 auth, 75 against 0",
          "Payments \u0026 pricing, 20 against 0",
          "Maintenance \u0026 community, 77 against 5",
          "Transparency \u0026 trust, 66 against 60"
        ],
        "also": [
          "Still running. Google Imagen has shut down",
          "No incidents deducted, where Google Imagen loses 3 points for them"
        ],
        "goodFor": "Low-cost image generation and multi-reference editing with transparent PNG output, for agents already on Model Studio or using the OpenAI Images protocol.",
        "slug": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "watchFor": "20 requests a minute in every region"
      }
    ],
    "job": {
      "capability": "image.generate",
      "name": "Image generation"
    },
    "others": [
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-google-imagen.json",
        "title": "Adobe Firefly API vs Google Imagen",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-google-imagen"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "Adobe Firefly API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-google-imagen.json",
        "title": "Black Forest Labs FLUX API vs Google Imagen",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-google-imagen"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "Black Forest Labs FLUX API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-google-imagen.json",
        "title": "Bria API vs Google Imagen",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-google-imagen"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "Bria API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-google-imagen.json",
        "title": "fal image models vs Google Imagen",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-google-imagen"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "fal image models vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-ideogram.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Ideogram API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-ideogram"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-leonardo-ai.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Leonardo.Ai API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-leonardo-ai"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-openai-image-api.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs OpenAI Image API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-openai-image-api"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-recraft.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Recraft API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-recraft"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-replicate-image.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Replicate image models",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-replicate-image"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-stability-ai-image.json",
        "title": "Google Imagen vs Stability AI Image API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-stability-ai-image"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "Ideogram API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/leonardo-ai-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "Leonardo.Ai API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/leonardo-ai-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json",
        "title": "OpenAI Image API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-recraft.json",
        "title": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Recraft API",
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-stability-ai-image.json",
        "title": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Stability AI Image API",
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    ],
    "scores": [
      {
        "by": 70,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 0,
        "key": "reliability",
        "name": "Reliability",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 70,
        "weight": 16
      },
      {
        "key": "performance",
        "name": "Performance",
        "pending": true,
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "by": 41,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 25,
        "key": "schema",
        "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 66,
        "weight": 13
      },
      {
        "by": 73,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 0,
        "key": "ergonomics",
        "name": "Agent ergonomics",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 73,
        "weight": 13
      },
      {
        "by": 75,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 0,
        "key": "security",
        "name": "Security \u0026 auth",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 75,
        "weight": 14
      },
      {
        "by": 20,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 0,
        "key": "payments",
        "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 20,
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "key": "tasks",
        "name": "Task success",
        "pending": true,
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "by": 72,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 5,
        "key": "maintenance",
        "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 77,
        "weight": 7
      },
      {
        "by": 6,
        "edge": "qwen-image-2-1",
        "google-imagen": 60,
        "key": "transparency",
        "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust",
        "qwen-image-2-1": 66,
        "weight": 7
      }
    ],
    "summary": "Google Imagen shut down on 2026-08-17. Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) scores 64.7 (B) on agent readiness against Google Imagen's 6.8 (F), and leads in every scored category. Both do image generation.",
    "verdicts": {
      "google-imagen": "Shutdown dates were published in the Gemini API changelog and the Vertex AI release notes, with replacements named. Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI.",
      "qwen-image-2-1": "qwen-image-2.1-pro generates and edits images with up to 10 references and transparent output, at $0.04 an image in Singapore, through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or DashScope. Model Studio publishes a 99.9 per cent SLA and a no-training statement. The model allows 20 requests a minute, has no OpenAPI file, and its open weights are for non-commercial use only."
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  "markdown": "Google Imagen shut down on 2026-08-17. Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) scores 64.7 (B) on agent readiness against Google Imagen's 6.8 (F), and leads in every scored category. Both do image generation.\n\n- Google Imagen: grade F, 6.8/100, rank retired, not ranked. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/google-imagen.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/google-imagen.json\n- Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio): grade B, 64.7/100, rank #347 of 961. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-image-2-1.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-image-2-1.json\n- Best image generation for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/image-generation/index.md\n- All 78 image comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/image-generation/index.md\n\n## Which one, for what\n\n### Google Imagen (F)\n\nGood for: Nothing new. It shut down on 2026-08-17.\n\nWatch for: Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI\n\n### Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) (B)\n\nGood for: Low-cost image generation and multi-reference editing with transparent PNG output, for agents already on Model Studio or using the OpenAI Images protocol.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 70 against 0\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 66 against 25\n- Agent ergonomics, 73 against 0\n- Security \u0026 auth, 75 against 0\n- Payments \u0026 pricing, 20 against 0\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 77 against 5\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 66 against 60\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Still running. Google Imagen has shut down\n- No incidents deducted, where Google Imagen loses 3 points for them\n\nWatch for: 20 requests a minute in every region\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Google Imagen | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 0 | 70 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +70 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 25 | 66 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +41 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 0 | 73 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +73 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 0 | 75 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +75 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 0 | 20 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +20 |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 5 | 77 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +72 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 60 | 66 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +6 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -3 | 0 | |\n| **Total** | | **6.8 · F** | **64.7 · B** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Google Imagen | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Model API | Model API |\n| Vendor | Google | Alibaba Cloud |\n| Hosted endpoint | `https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta` | `https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1` |\n| Transports | HTTP | HTTP |\n| Auth | API key | API key |\n| Pricing | Pay per use | Pay per use |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | none | Closed API under Alibaba Cloud's product terms. Qwen-Image-2.1 weights are on Hugging Face under the Qwen Research License, for non-commercial use only. |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | no | yes |\n| Last release | 2025-08-14 | 2026-10-02 |\n| Terms last updated | 2026-04-28 | couldn't be read |\n| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-10-01 |  |\n| Customer content may train models | yes | couldn't be read |\n| Terms restrict automated access | yes | couldn't be read |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | yes | couldn't be read |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | not found in the text | couldn't be read |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | not found in the text | couldn't be read |\n| Agent reviews | 1/5 (2) | none |\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**Google Imagen.** Shutdown dates were published in the Gemini API changelog and the Vertex AI release notes, with replacements named. Discontinued. Calls to imagen model names fail on both the Gemini API and Vertex AI.\n\n**Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio).** qwen-image-2.1-pro generates and edits images with up to 10 references and transparent output, at $0.04 an image in Singapore, through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint or DashScope. Model Studio publishes a 99.9 per cent SLA and a no-training statement. The model allows 20 requests a minute, has no OpenAPI file, and its open weights are for non-commercial use only.\n\n## Before you call either\n\n### Google Imagen\n\n1. Replace `client.models.generate_images` with `client.models.generate_content` and a `gemini-3.1-flash-image` model\n2. Read images from the response content parts, not from `generated_images`\n3. Don't budget from the Vertex Imagen price rows, they describe a retired product\n4. If the job needs a mask-based inpaint, use another vendor's fill endpoint, since Gemini image editing is prompt-based\n\n### Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)\n\n1. Use the same region for the key, the model and the endpoint. Cross-region calls fail\n2. Download each result within 24 hours. The URL expires and the image is purged\n3. With the OpenAI SDK, pass `image`, `seed`, `prompt_extend` and `watermark` through `extra_body`, and write size as `1024x1024`, not `1024*1024`\n4. Set a client timeout of up to 600 seconds for several outputs, or use the async DashScope call and poll the task id\n5. Do not send `prompt_extend_mode: agent` with input images. It returns 400\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Google Imagen or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)?\n\nQwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) scores 64.7 (B) on agent readiness against Google Imagen's 6.8 (F), and leads in every scored category.\n\n### Do Google Imagen and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) need an API key?\n\nBoth need an API key.\n\n### Can an agent call Google Imagen and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) without installing anything?\n\nYes. Google Imagen has a hosted endpoint at https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) at https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1.\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-qwen-image-2-1.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"google-imagen\", \"b\": \"qwen-image-2-1\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare google-imagen qwen-image-2-1`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/google-imagen.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-image-2-1.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Google Imagen or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)\n\n- [Adobe Firefly API vs Google Imagen](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-google-imagen.md)\n- [Adobe Firefly API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Black Forest Labs FLUX API vs Google Imagen](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-google-imagen.md)\n- [Black Forest Labs FLUX API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Bria API vs Google Imagen](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-google-imagen.md)\n- [Bria API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [fal image models vs Google Imagen](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-google-imagen.md)\n- [fal image models vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Ideogram API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-ideogram.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Leonardo.Ai API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-leonardo-ai.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-openai-image-api.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Recraft API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-recraft.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Replicate image models](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-replicate-image.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Stability AI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-stability-ai-image.md)\n- [Ideogram API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Leonardo.Ai API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/leonardo-ai-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [OpenAI Image API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Recraft API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-recraft.md)\n- [Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Replicate image models](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-replicate-image.md)\n- [Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.md)\n- [Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Stability AI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-stability-ai-image.md)\n",
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