Flux 2 Dev vs Ideogram V3

Text rendering is where these models diverge most dramatically. This prompt requires rendering two distinct text elements at different scales—a main slogan and business hours—in a hand-painted style. It's a common real-world scenario for signage, marketing, and social media graphics.

In our testing, Ideogram consistently produced legible text with proper letter formation and spacing. Flux 2 Dev captured the visual aesthetic effectively but the text itself frequently contained errors—missing letters, character substitutions, or inconsistent sizing. For any application where the text must be readable, this difference determines whether an image is usable or requires regeneration.

Portrait photography without text elements provides a more level playing field. This prompt emphasizes natural lighting, texture (wet clay, skin), and authentic environmental context—qualities that test a model's general image synthesis capabilities rather than its text-specific training.

Both models produce capable portraits, though their approaches differ. Flux 2 Dev tends toward more naturalistic rendering with authentic imperfections and subtle tonal variations. Ideogram V3 often produces slightly more polished results that can feel more "designed." For pure photography without text, Flux 2 Dev's lower cost makes it compelling—you're paying less for comparable quality.

Product and packaging design combines multiple challenges: readable text at various scales, consistent styling, and realistic product photography. This prompt requires rendering a brand name, heat descriptor, and decorative illustrations—all common elements in food and beverage packaging mockups.

Ideogram's advantage becomes pronounced in scenarios like this. The model tends to produce labels that could serve as actual design mockups—text is readable, hierarchy is maintained, and decorative elements complement rather than conflict with the typography. Flux 2 Dev produces attractive product shots, but the label text often requires the viewer to use imagination to "read" what was intended.

Digital illustration tests whether models can execute specific visual styles beyond photorealism. This prompt requests flat design with clean geometric shapes—a style that rewards precision over photographic accuracy.

Ideogram's "Design" style preset can be particularly effective for illustration work, producing clean edges and consistent styling. Flux 2 Dev interprets illustration prompts more freely, sometimes producing interesting hybrid styles that blend illustration with more rendered elements. For strict style adherence, Ideogram's presets provide more control; for creative exploration, Flux 2 Dev's interpretive flexibility can yield unexpected results.

For subjects without text—landscapes, abstract art, nature photography—both models produce strong results. The ELO gap narrows significantly when text rendering isn't a factor, making the cost comparison more relevant.

The math is straightforward: the cost of one Ideogram image buys approximately 2.5 Flux 2 Dev images. For exploration, iteration, or any workflow involving image-to-image refinement, that volume advantage compounds. Reserve Ideogram for scenarios where its unique strength—accurate text—actually matters.