Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2 at a glance

Qwen Image 2.1 from Alibaba Cloud and GPT Image 2 from OpenAI are both in the Image Generation category, available through the EmpirioLabs API.

Key differences

• Qwen Image 2.1 is the newer release (Oct 2, 2026); GPT Image 2 was released on Apr 21, 2026.
• Capabilities listed only for Qwen Image 2.1: multi reference, transparent background.

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: specs

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: API pricing

Live rates from the EmpirioLabs catalog for both models. Each rate card always matches what the API charges.

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: API parameters

Request parameters each model lists on EmpirioLabs, with the allowed values or range where one applies. A dash marks a parameter the model does not list.

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: limits and notes

Qwen Image 2.1

Qwen Image 2.1 combines Pro and Turbo image generation and editing in one model. Pro is selected by default, output starts at 2K, and aspect ratio starts in Auto. Turbo provides a faster, lower-cost option.

Variants

• Choose qwen-image-2.1-pro for the highest image quality and complex edits.
• Choose qwen-image-2.1-turbo for faster, lower-cost generation and routine edits.
• Choose with model_variant. Without it, the model id qwen-image-2.1-turbo runs Turbo and every other id of this model runs Pro.

Modes

• Text to image from a prompt.
• Image editing and reference-guided generation from one to ten images.
• Direct prompt extension works for generation and editing. Agent prompt extension provides deeper refinement for text-to-image requests only.

Transparent images

• Output images are PNG files. For a transparent background, set prompt_extend to false and describe the image in this form: "This is an RGBA image with transparency. A glass perfume bottle. The image has alpha channel and the background is transparent."

Output limits

• One to six output images per request.
• 1K, 2K, automatic, aspect-ratio presets, or an exact custom size.
• Exact and custom sizes stay between 512x512 and 2560x2560 pixels in total area, with an aspect ratio from 1:8 to 8:1.

Billing

• Each output image is billed at its variant's rate. Reference images are not billed.

Content safety

Generated images pass an automated content-safety check. An image flagged as explicit is not returned. Because the image is generated before the check runs, a flagged generation is still billed.

GPT Image 2

Quality tiers Low, Medium, and High set the rendering fidelity and the per-image price. Output sizes are 1024x1024, 1536x1024, and 1024x1536. Attach up to 16 images to edit or composite them, with the prompt as the instruction.

Content safety

• Generated images pass an automated content-safety check. An image flagged as explicit is not returned. Because the image is generated before the check runs, a flagged generation is still billed.

How to call Qwen Image 2.1 and GPT Image 2

Qwen Image 2.1 runs through POST /v1/images/generations. The request returns a job_id right away; poll GET /v1/jobs/{job_id} until the job completes and read the output URLs from the result. Or add "sync": true to skip polling: the request stays open and returns the finished OpenAI-style image response directly, so OpenAI SDKs work as-is. Both models are called through the same endpoint. Set model to qwen-image-2-1 or gpt-image-2. Get an API key from the EmpirioLabs dashboard.

curl https://api.empiriolabs.ai/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $EMPIRIOLABS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "qwen-image-2-1",
    "prompt": "Describe what you want Qwen Image 2.1 to generate."
  }'

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: tests and guides

Prompt tests and comparison runs that cover both models.

Guides Seedream 5.5 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro vs GPT Image 2 vs Qwen Image 2.1: three prompts We gave Seedream 5.5, Seedream 5.0 Pro, GPT Image 2 and Qwen Image 2.1 the same three prompts, one shot each: a poster...

Qwen Image 2.1 vs GPT Image 2: common questions

What is the difference between Qwen Image 2.1 and GPT Image 2?

Qwen Image 2.1 is the newer release (Oct 2, 2026); GPT Image 2 was released on Apr 21, 2026. Capabilities listed only for Qwen Image 2.1: multi reference, transparent background. The specs, rate cards, and parameters on this page come from the live EmpirioLabs catalog.

Which is newer, Qwen Image 2.1 or GPT Image 2?

Qwen Image 2.1 is the newer release (Oct 2, 2026); GPT Image 2 was released on Apr 21, 2026.

Which has the lower rate, Qwen Image 2.1 or GPT Image 2?

The two models are priced on different units or tiers, so compare the live rate cards on this page. They always match what the API charges.

Can I switch between Qwen Image 2.1 and GPT Image 2 without rebuilding my integration?

Yes. Both models use POST /v1/images/generations with the same EmpirioLabs API key, so most integrations switch by changing the model value. Check the parameters table on this page first if you rely on a model-specific parameter.

Can I try Qwen Image 2.1 and GPT Image 2 in the browser before integrating?

Yes. Open each model in the EmpirioLabs playground and run the same prompt on both, with the parameters the API exposes.