Image Generation API Selection Guide

🎯 Choose in 30 Seconds

Cost-Controlled

Sora Image - $0.01/image

Lowest price, good quality
Perfect for batch generation
Chinese-friendly

View Docs →

OpenAI-Compatible

GPT-Image-2 - $0.03/call

OpenAI-compatible endpoints
Supports Chat Completions and Images API
Covers generation and editing

View Docs →

Highest Quality

Flux Kontext Max - $0.07/image

Premium quality
Flexible aspect ratios (3:7 to 7:3)
Professional design choice

View Docs →

Low-Cost High-Frequency Output

Nano Banana 2 Lite - $0.025/call

Stable model ID
1K and 14 aspect ratios
Designed for low-latency, high-volume work

View Nano Banana 2 Lite →

Editing Features

GPT-Image-2 / Gemini Flash Edit

GPT-Image-2 fits OpenAI-compatible image editing
Gemini Flash is useful for multi-image composition
Choose URL or Base64 based on your app

View GPT-Image-2 →

📊 Complete Comparison

Service	Price	Speed	Quality	Features	Best For
Sora Image	$0.01/img	~10-15s	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Chinese-friendly, pay-per-call	Batch content, quick prototyping
GPT-Image-2	$0.03/call	Medium	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Chat Completions + Images API, URL/Base64	OpenAI-compatible integration, generation and editing
Flux Pro	$0.035/img	Fast	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Flexible ratios (3:7-7:3)	Professional design, social media
Flux Max	$0.07/img	Fast	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Highest quality	Commercial work, premium design
Nano Banana 2 Lite	$0.025/call	Low-latency target	⭐⭐⭐⭐	1K, 14 ratios, low cost	High-frequency drafts, fast edits, batch work
Nano Banana Standard	$0.025/call	~10s	⭐⭐⭐⭐	1K, Base64, legacy compatibility	Existing web applications
Nano Banana 2	$0.055/call	~10s	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	0.5K–4K, high throughput	General production, 4K, text rendering
Nano Banana Pro	$0.09/call	~10s	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	4K, complex layout, thinking	Professional design, complex instructions
GPT-Image-1	Per token	Medium	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	OpenAI standard	Enterprise integration
Seedream	$0.035/img	Medium	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Image-to-image, multi-image	Creative editing, style transfer

Cost Comparison: Generating 100 images

Sora: $1.00
Nano Banana 2 Lite / Standard: $2.50
GPT-Image-2: $3.00
Nano Banana 2: $5.50
Seedream 4.0: $3.50
Nano Banana Pro: $9.00
Flux Pro: $3.50
Flux Max: $7.00

Cost-Controlled: Sora Image (2.current route pricing)

🎨 Choose by Scenario

Square (1:1)
Portrait (9:16)
Banner

Recommended: Sora Image, Gemini Flash, Nano Banana

Budget-conscious: Sora ($0.01/img)
Quality priority: Gemini Flash ($0.025/img)
Web embedding: Nano Banana (Base64 format)

Professional Design

High Quality

Recommended: Flux Max ($0.07/img)

Richest details
Handles complex prompts
Perfect for commercial work

Flexible Sizing

Recommended: Gemini Flash ($0.025/img)

10 aspect ratios
Fast iteration
Great value

Special Ratios

Recommended: Flux Pro ($0.035/img)

3:7 to 7:3 freedom
Professional layout needs

Batch Generation

Recommended: Sora Image ($0.01/img)

Lowest cost
Stable quality
Perfect for volume

Image Editing

Need	Recommended Service	Price	Features
Multi-image composition	Gemini Flash Edit	$0.025/call	Up to 4 images fusion
OpenAI-compatible image-to-image	GPT-Image-2	$0.03/call	Chat Completions supports URL/base64 input; Images Edits supports multipart
Precise control	Flux Edit	$0.035/call	Mask control, local editing
Style transfer	Sora Edit, Seedream	$0.01-0.035/call	Artistic style migration
Image-to-image	Seedream	$0.035/call	Keep structure, change details

💰 Cost Optimization Strategy

Hybrid Approach

Test with Sora

Test 10 different prompts for $0.01 each

test_prompts = [
    "sunset over mountains",
    "sunset over snowy mountains",
    "dramatic sunset over mountain peaks",
    # ... 7 more variations
]

for prompt in test_prompts:
    # Test with Sora ($0.01/img)
    url = generate_with_sora(prompt)
    evaluate(url)

# Testing cost: $0.10 (10 tests)

Final with Flux

Use best prompt with Flux Max for high-quality final

best_prompt = "dramatic sunset over mountain peaks"

# Generate final with Flux Max ($0.07/img)
final_image = generate_with_flux_max(best_prompt)

# Final cost: $0.07 (1 generation)
# Total cost: $0.17

Cost Comparison

Hybrid approach: 10 tests + 1 final = $0.17vs Direct Flux Max testing: 10 × $0.07 = $0.70Saved: $0.53 (76%)

🔄 Decision Tree

Need to generate images
    │
    ├─ Budget sufficient (>$0.05/img)?
    │   ├─ Yes → Need special ratios?
    │   │   ├─ Yes → Flux Pro/Max
    │   │   └─ No → Gemini Flash (10 ratios)
    │   └─ No → Sora Image ($0.01/img)
    │
    ├─ Need editing features?
    │   └─ Yes → Multi-image composition?
    │       ├─ Yes → Gemini Flash Edit
    │       └─ No → Flux Edit (mask control)
    │
    ├─ Pursuing ultimate quality?
    │   └─ Yes → Flux Max ($0.07/img)
    │
    ├─ Need Base64 format?
    │   └─ Yes → Nano Banana or Gemini Flash
    │
    └─ Batch generation (>100 images)?
        └─ Yes → Sora Image (lowest cost)

📱 Recommendations by Industry

E-commerce Product Images

Recommended: Flux Pro ($0.035/img)
Why: Stable quality, supports various product angles
Alternative: Gemini Flash (lightweight, good for bulk)

Recommended: Sora Image ($0.01/img)
Why: Best value, perfect for daily updates
Alternative: Gemini Flash (10 ratios for different platforms)

Professional Design/Branding

Recommended: Flux Max ($0.07/img)
Why: Rich details, meets commercial standards
Alternative: Flux Pro (similar quality, half price)

Mobile App Development

Recommended: Gemini Flash ($0.025/img)
Why: Supports all mobile ratios, fast
Alternative: Nano Banana (Base64 for direct embedding)

🚀 Get Started

Ready? Click below to view detailed docs:

Sora Image

$0.01/img - Cost-Controlled

GPT-Image-2

$0.03/call - OpenAI-compatible generation and editing

Flux

$0.035-0.07/img - Professional Choice

Nano Banana API

From $0.025/call - Standard entry with Lite, 2, and Pro comparisons

View All Services

Complete image API list

❓ Still Unsure?

Which should I choose? Quick Q&A

Q: My budget is under $0.02/image A: Choose Sora Image ($0.01/img)Q: I need portrait posters (9:16) A: Choose Gemini Flash (supports 9:16 ratio)Q: I need highest quality, budget not an issue A: Choose Flux Max ($0.07/img)Q: I need special ratios (e.g., 7:3 ultra-wide banner) A: Choose Flux Pro (3:7 to 7:3 freedom)Q: I need to edit images or compose multiple images A: Choose Gemini Flash Edit or Flux EditQ: I want one OpenAI-compatible path for both generation and editing A: Choose GPT-Image-2Q: I need Base64 for direct web embedding A: Choose GPT-Image-2 Images API, Nano Banana, or Gemini Flash

Want to see actual results? Visit yingtu.ai to test different image models online.

Getting Started

Core API

Text APIs

Video Generation APIs