{ "data": { "a": { "slug": "openai-image-api", "name": "OpenAI Image API", "vendor": "OpenAI", "vendorUrl": "https://developers.openai.com", "kind": "model", "category": "image-generation", "summary": "OpenAI's image generation and editing endpoints (/v1/images/generations and /v1/images/edits), also callable as a tool inside the Responses API.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/openai-image-api", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/openai-image-api.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/openai-image-api.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/openai-image-api.json", "repo": "https://github.com/openai/openai-python", "license": "Apache-2.0 (SDKs)", "transports": [ "http" ], "remoteUrl": "https://api.openai.com/v1", "packages": [ { "registry": "pypi", "name": "openai" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "openai" } ], "auth": "api-key", "authNotes": "`Authorization: Bearer` with a project key. GPT Image models may need API organisation verification before the first call.", "pricing": "usage", "pricingNotes": "Prepaid, $5 minimum. GPT Image 2 and 2.5 bill per token, $5 per million text input, $8 per million image input and $30 per million image output, with image output at $15 per million through Batch. OpenAI publishes per-image figures only for earlier models, e.g. GPT Image 2 at 1024x1024 costs $0.006 low, $0.053 medium, $0.211 high. The GPT Image 2 cost calculator doesn't estimate GPT Image 2.5. Streaming partial images add 100 output tokens each (https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing).", "priceSummary": "Pay per use", "where": "hosted", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No machine payment. Access needs an account with prepaid credit.", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 31300, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-09-30" }, "docsUrl": "https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation", "llmsTxt": "https://developers.openai.com/llms.txt", "openapi": "https://github.com/openai/openai-openapi", "capabilities": [ "image.generate", "image.edit", "image.reference" ], "tags": [ "hosted", "card-required", "closed-source", "python", "typescript", "openapi", "llms-txt", "c2pa", "watermark", "commercial-licence" ], "lastRelease": "2026-09-22", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 72.4, "grade": "BB", "agentReady": true, "rank": 105, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 961, "categoryRank": 1, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 72, "maintenance": 79, "payments": 20, "reliability": 80, "schema": 90, "security": 85, "transparency": 89 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "high", "date": "2026-10-01" }, "negative": -2, "negativeNotes": [ "On 2025-11-26 OpenAI disclosed that its analytics vendor Mixpanel was breached, exposing names, emails, rough location and IDs of API platform users. No API keys, prompts or outputs. Mixpanel was removed and the incident documented (https://openai.com/index/mixpanel-incident/). -2 because it touched every API account, decayed because it's fixed and disclosed." ], "verdict": "Generation, mask edits and multi-reference edits on the same models, via the Image API or the Responses tool. No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it.", "bestFor": "General-purpose generation and editing for agents already on OpenAI, especially multi-turn edits through the Responses tool.", "strengths": [ "Generation, mask edits and multi-reference edits on the same models, via the Image API or the Responses tool", "Restricted keys can be limited to the image endpoints, with per-project spend limits", "No training on API data by default, 30-day abuse logs and Zero Data Retention eligibility for GPT Image models", "Typed parameters, an OpenAPI spec, llms.txt and a dated changelog", "Batch halves the image output price, including on GPT Image 2.5 Flare" ], "weaknesses": [ "No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it", "Tier 1 accounts get 5 images a minute on GPT Image 2.5 Flare", "Base64-only responses put the whole image in the payload", "Six image models removed or scheduled for removal between 2026-05-12 and 2026-12-01", "Three API image incidents in the last 90 days, the longest about 53 minutes of elevated errors" ], "agentNotes": [ "Pin `quality` and `size`. `auto` makes cost and latency vary per call", "Read `usage` in the response to track image tokens, it's the only cost signal for GPT Image 2.5", "Don't retry `moderation_blocked` or `image_generation_user_error`. Change the prompt first", "Honour `Retry-After` on 429 and add jitter, image limits are per minute and low at tier 1", "Move off gpt-image-1 before 2026-10-23 and off 1-mini, 1.5 and chatgpt-image-latest before 2026-12-01" ], "metrics": { "kind": "remote", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 2, "avgRating": 3.5, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "high", "grade": "BB", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 72.4 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 72, "maintenance": 79, "payments": 20, "reliability": 80, "schema": 90, "security": 85, "transparency": 83 }, "provenanceScore": 94 }, "connect": { "install": "pip install openai # or: npm i openai", "http": "curl https://api.openai.com/v1/images/generations \\\n -H \"Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY\" -H \"content-type: application/json\" \\\n -d '{\"model\":\"gpt-image-2.5-flare\",\"prompt\":\"A beige coffee mug on a wooden table\",\"size\":\"1024x1024\",\"quality\":\"medium\"}'" }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/image.generate", "tool": "https://letme.dev/openai-image-api" }, "sameCompany": [ "openai-api", "openai-embeddings", "openai-guardrails", "openai-moderation", "openai-sora", "openai-speech-to-text", "openai-realtime", "openai-agents-sdk", "openai-decisions-api", "openai-codex" ], "area": "content", "unitPrices": [ { "item": "gpt-image-2", "unit": "image", "usd": 0.053, "note": "medium quality, 1024x1024, output tokens only" }, { "item": "gpt-image-2 low", "unit": "image", "usd": 0.006, "note": "low quality, 1024x1024" }, { "item": "gpt-image-2 high", "unit": "image", "usd": 0.211, "note": "high quality, 1024x1024" }, { "item": "gpt-image-1.5", "unit": "image", "usd": 0.034, "note": "medium quality, 1024x1024. Removal on 2026-12-01" }, { "item": "gpt-image-1-mini", "unit": "image", "usd": 0.011, "note": "medium quality, 1024x1024. Removal on 2026-12-01" } ], "provenance": { "legalEntity": "OpenAI OpCo, LLC", "domain": "openai.com", "domainRegistered": "2007-01-19", "domainNote": "openai.com was registered in 2007, before OpenAI existed.", "endpointOnVendorDomain": true, "terms": "https://openai.com/policies/services-agreement/", "privacy": "https://openai.com/policies/privacy-policy/", "statusPage": "https://status.openai.com", "changelog": "https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog", "securityTxt": "valid", "checked": "2026-09-30", "score": 94 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/openai-image-api.json", "live": { "slug": "openai-image-api", "probe": { "target": "https://api.openai.com/v1", "method": "get", "lastAt": "2026-10-11T02:46:35.49774932Z", "lastOk": true, "lastStatus": 404, "lastMs": 136, "authRequired": false, "uptime24h": 100, "uptime30d": 100, "p50ms24h": 136, "p95ms24h": 166, "samples24h": 248, "samples30d": 2712, "days": [ { "date": "2026-09-30", "probes": 35, "ok": 35 }, { "date": "2026-10-01", "probes": 276, "ok": 276 }, { "date": "2026-10-02", "probes": 248, "ok": 248 }, { "date": "2026-10-03", "probes": 271, "ok": 271 }, { "date": "2026-10-04", "probes": 272, "ok": 272 }, { "date": "2026-10-05", "probes": 272, "ok": 272 }, { "date": "2026-10-06", "probes": 272, "ok": 272 }, { "date": "2026-10-07", "probes": 272, "ok": 272 }, { "date": "2026-10-08", "probes": 268, "ok": 268 }, { "date": "2026-10-09", "probes": 250, "ok": 250 }, { "date": "2026-10-10", "probes": 247, "ok": 247 }, { "date": "2026-10-11", "probes": 29, "ok": 29 } ] }, "vendorStatus": { "page": "https://status.openai.com", "indicator": "minor", "summary": "Partial System Degradation", "checkedAt": "2026-10-11T02:41:07.357002693Z" }, "versions": [ { "registry": "github", "name": "openai/openai-python", "version": "v3.28.0", "released": "2026-10-09", "seenAt": "2026-10-10T18:04:16.201551119Z" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "openai", "version": "7.32.0", "seenAt": "2026-10-10T18:04:16.136077478Z" }, { "registry": "pypi", "name": "openai", "version": "3.28.0", "released": "2026-10-09", "seenAt": "2026-10-10T18:04:16.017366571Z" } ], "githubStars": 31795, "npmWeekly": 43207843, "pypiWeekly": 75062896, "securityTxt": { "url": "https://openai.com/.well-known/security.txt", "state": "valid", "checkedAt": "2026-10-10T15:41:12.685334683Z" }, "llmsTxt": { "url": "https://developers.openai.com/llms.txt", "ok": true, "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-10T14:04:51.755657968Z" }, "domain": { "domain": "openai.com", "registered": "2007-01-19", "source": "https://rdap.verisign.com/com/v1/domain/openai.com", "checkedAt": "2026-10-04T13:05:02.32020521Z" }, "updatedAt": "2026-10-11T02:46:35.49774932Z" } }, "answer": "OpenAI Image API scores 72.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)'s 64.7 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories.", "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": "OpenAI", "b": "Alibaba Cloud", "name": "Vendor" }, { "a": "https://api.openai.com/v1", "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": "Apache-2.0 (SDKs)", "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": "yes", "b": "yes", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-09-22", "b": "2026-10-02", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "couldn't be read", "b": "couldn't be read", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "31k stars", "b": "none", "name": "Popularity" }, { "a": "3.5/5 (2)", "b": "none", "name": "Agent reviews" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "OpenAI Image API scores 72.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)'s 64.7 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, OpenAI Image API or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)?" }, { "answer": "Both need an API key.", "question": "Do OpenAI Image API and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) need an API key?" }, { "answer": "Yes. OpenAI Image API has a hosted endpoint at https://api.openai.com/v1 and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) at https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1.", "question": "Can an agent call OpenAI Image API and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) without installing anything?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 80 against 70", "Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 66", "Security \u0026 auth, 85 against 75", "Transparency \u0026 trust, 89 against 66" ], "also": [ "Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better" ], "goodFor": "General-purpose generation and editing for agents already on OpenAI, especially multi-turn edits through the Responses tool.", "slug": "openai-image-api", "watchFor": "No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it" }, { "aheadOn": null, "also": null, "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-openai-image-api.json", "title": "Adobe Firefly API vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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-openai-image-api.json", "title": "Black Forest Labs FLUX API vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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-openai-image-api.json", "title": "Bria API vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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-openai-image-api.json", "title": "fal image models vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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-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-qwen-image-2-1.json", "title": "Google Imagen vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-qwen-image-2-1" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-openai-image-api.json", "title": "Ideogram API vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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-openai-image-api.json", "title": "Leonardo.Ai API vs OpenAI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/leonardo-ai-vs-openai-image-api" }, { "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" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-recraft.json", "title": "OpenAI Image API vs Recraft API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-recraft" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-replicate-image.json", "title": "OpenAI Image API vs Replicate image models", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-replicate-image" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.json", "title": "OpenAI Image API vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-stability-ai-image.json", "title": "OpenAI Image API vs Stability AI Image API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-stability-ai-image" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-recraft.json", "title": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Recraft API", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-recraft" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-replicate-image.json", "title": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Replicate image models", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-replicate-image" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.json", "title": "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark" }, { "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", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/qwen-image-2-1-vs-stability-ai-image" } ], "scores": [ { "by": 10, "edge": "openai-image-api", "key": "reliability", "name": "Reliability", "openai-image-api": 80, "qwen-image-2-1": 70, "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 24, "edge": "openai-image-api", "key": "schema", "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "openai-image-api": 90, "qwen-image-2-1": 66, "weight": 13 }, { "by": 1, "edge": "qwen-image-2-1", "key": "ergonomics", "name": "Agent ergonomics", "openai-image-api": 72, "qwen-image-2-1": 73, "weight": 13 }, { "by": 10, "edge": "openai-image-api", "key": "security", "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "openai-image-api": 85, "qwen-image-2-1": 75, "weight": 14 }, { "by": 0, "edge": "", "key": "payments", "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "openai-image-api": 20, "qwen-image-2-1": 20, "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 2, "edge": "openai-image-api", "key": "maintenance", "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "openai-image-api": 79, "qwen-image-2-1": 77, "weight": 7 }, { "by": 23, "edge": "openai-image-api", "key": "transparency", "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "openai-image-api": 89, "qwen-image-2-1": 66, "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "OpenAI Image API scores 72.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)'s 64.7 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories. Both do image generation.", "verdicts": { "openai-image-api": "Generation, mask edits and multi-reference edits on the same models, via the Image API or the Responses tool. No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it.", "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." } }, "kind": "anchor.page", "links": { "api": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json", "html": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.min.md" }, "markdown": "OpenAI Image API scores 72.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)'s 64.7 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories. Both do image generation.\n\n- OpenAI Image API: grade BB, 72.4/100, rank #105 of 961. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/openai-image-api.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/openai-image-api.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### OpenAI Image API (BB)\n\nGood for: General-purpose generation and editing for agents already on OpenAI, especially multi-turn edits through the Responses tool.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 80 against 70\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 66\n- Security \u0026 auth, 85 against 75\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 89 against 66\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better\n\nWatch for: No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it\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\nWatch for: 20 requests a minute in every region\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | OpenAI Image API | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 80 | 70 | OpenAI Image API +10 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 90 | 66 | OpenAI Image API +24 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 72 | 73 | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) +1 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 85 | 75 | OpenAI Image API +10 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 20 | 20 | even |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 79 | 77 | OpenAI Image API +2 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 89 | 66 | OpenAI Image API +23 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -2 | 0 | |\n| **Total** | | **72.4 · BB** | **64.7 · B** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | OpenAI Image API | Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Model API | Model API |\n| Vendor | OpenAI | Alibaba Cloud |\n| Hosted endpoint | `https://api.openai.com/v1` | `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 | Apache-2.0 (SDKs) | 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 | yes | yes |\n| Last release | 2026-09-22 | 2026-10-02 |\n| Terms last updated | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Privacy policy last updated | couldn't be read | |\n| Customer content may train models | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Terms restrict automated access | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | couldn't be read | couldn't be read |\n| Popularity | 31k stars | none |\n| Agent reviews | 3.5/5 (2) | none |\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**OpenAI Image API.** Generation, mask edits and multi-reference edits on the same models, via the Image API or the Responses tool. No per-image price for GPT Image 2.5, and the cost calculator doesn't cover it.\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### OpenAI Image API\n\n1. Pin `quality` and `size`. `auto` makes cost and latency vary per call\n2. Read `usage` in the response to track image tokens, it's the only cost signal for GPT Image 2.5\n3. Don't retry `moderation_blocked` or `image_generation_user_error`. Change the prompt first\n4. Honour `Retry-After` on 429 and add jitter, image limits are per minute and low at tier 1\n5. Move off gpt-image-1 before 2026-10-23 and off 1-mini, 1.5 and chatgpt-image-latest before 2026-12-01\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, OpenAI Image API or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)?\n\nOpenAI Image API scores 72.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)'s 64.7 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories.\n\n### Do OpenAI Image API and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) need an API key?\n\nBoth need an API key.\n\n### Can an agent call OpenAI Image API and Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) without installing anything?\n\nYes. OpenAI Image API has a hosted endpoint at https://api.openai.com/v1 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/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"openai-image-api\", \"b\": \"qwen-image-2-1\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare openai-image-api qwen-image-2-1`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/openai-image-api.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-image-2-1.json\n\n## Other comparisons with OpenAI Image API or Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)\n\n- [Adobe Firefly API vs OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/adobe-firefly-vs-openai-image-api.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 OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/black-forest-labs-vs-openai-image-api.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 OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/bria-vs-openai-image-api.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 OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/fal-image-vs-openai-image-api.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 OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-openai-image-api.md)\n- [Google Imagen vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/google-imagen-vs-qwen-image-2-1.md)\n- [Ideogram API vs OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/ideogram-vs-openai-image-api.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 OpenAI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/leonardo-ai-vs-openai-image-api.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 Recraft API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-recraft.md)\n- [OpenAI Image API vs Replicate image models](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-replicate-image.md)\n- [OpenAI Image API vs Seedream on BytePlus ModelArk](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-seedream-on-byteplus-modelark.md)\n- [OpenAI Image API vs Stability AI Image API](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-stability-ai-image.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", "meta": { "attribution": "Anchor Terminal (https://www.anchorterminal.com)", "docs": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/docs/", "generatedAt": "2026-10-11", "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "method": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/benchmark/", "methodology": "0.4", "openapi": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/openapi.json", "preview": false, "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run" }, "page": { "breadcrumbs": [ { "name": "Home", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/" }, { "name": "Compare", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/" }, { "name": "OpenAI Image API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)", "url": "" } ], "description": "OpenAI Image scores 72.4 (BB) to Qwen-Image 2.1's 64.7 (B) for image generation. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.", "facts": [ "OpenAI Image API BB 72.4", "Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio) B 64.7", "scores" ], "h1": "OpenAI Image API vs Qwen-Image 2.1 (Model Studio)", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1.png", "path": "/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "OpenAI Image vs Qwen-Image 2.1 for AI agents (2026) | Anchor Terminal", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-10", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-image-api-vs-qwen-image-2-1" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 2500, "slim": 580 }, "version": 1 }