Updated November 2026.
The best AI image generator depends on the job. GPT Image 2.6 is the broadest all-rounder, with animated GIF and SVG output. Nano Banana 2.1 takes the most references (14). Seedream 5.5 gives transparent PNGs and layers. Krea 3 and MiniMax H3 are fast, low-cost picks. All five run in Kolbo.AI on one credit balance.
This guide is for designers, marketers and creators who need to pick a model for a specific deliverable rather than read a leaderboard. Every number below comes from the model configuration inside Kolbo.AI, not from a benchmark we ran or a vendor claim.
The five models at a glance
| Model | Best for | Text in image | Editing and reference inputs | Output formats | Resolutions | Credits (Kolbo.AI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT Image 2.6 (Flare, Sunburst) | All-round work, logos, GIFs, vector art | Strong text rendering | Up to 16 references, markup edit | PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF, SVG, transparent PNG | 1K, 2K, 4K | 7 at 1K medium (5 to 114 by size and quality) |
| Nano Banana 2.1 | Campaigns that reuse a character or product | Improved typography | Up to 14 references | JPEG | 1K, 2K, 4K | 15 / 23 / 30 |
| Seedream 5.5 | Realistic photos, cutouts, layered files | Crisp small text | Up to 4 references, Layers tool | PNG, transparent PNG | 1K, 2K | 6 / 9 (edit 14 / 17) |
| Krea 3 | Fast, sharp drafts with legible text | Accurate text | Up to 4 references via Krea 3 edit | PNG | 1K, 2K | 5 / 9 (edit 22 / 43) |
| MiniMax H3 Image | Low-cost 4K and multi-image edits | Strong text rendering | Up to 8 references | PNG | 1K, 2K, 4K | 6 / 6 / 17 (edit 17 / 17 / 29) |
Credit figures are the prices set in each model's catalog entry at launch. Prices can change, so the app always shows the exact quote before you generate, and our pricing facts page explains how credits map to cost.
GPT Image 2.6: the widest feature set
GPT Image 2.6 comes in two models. Flare is the faster everyday option. Sunburst is slower and more detailed, and it stays more consistent across a series of edits. Both are available for text-to-image and for editing.
What sets it apart in this lineup:
- Animated GIF output on both creation and editing.
- SVG output on text-to-image. SVG files render at 1K and are cleaned before delivery, so you get a real vector file for logos and icons.
- Markup edit: draw on the image to show where a change should go.
- Complexity control and five quality levels: low, medium, high, xhigh and max.
- Transparent PNG backgrounds and support for your own uploaded fonts.
- Up to 16 reference images, up to 8 Visual DNA characters, and 15 aspect ratios including 21:9 and 3:1.
The price scales with size and quality. Text-to-image starts at 5 credits (1K low) and 7 credits at 1K medium, and the top setting (4K max) costs 114 credits. Editing adds a few credits per image because references cost input tokens. For a full tour of the new features, read our GPT Image 2.6 launch post.
Pick it when you need one model that can make the poster, the logo as SVG and the animated social version of the same idea.
Nano Banana 2.1: the most references
Nano Banana 2.1 is built around text rendering and reference consistency. It creates and edits at 1K, 2K and 4K, and the editing model accepts up to 14 reference images, the highest in this comparison. It also supports up to 14 Visual DNA entries, so a recurring character, a product and a setting can all travel into the same scene.
It outputs JPEG and does not offer transparent backgrounds, so plan a separate cutout step if you need one. Pricing is flat per resolution: 15 credits at 1K, 23 at 2K and 30 at 4K. See the Nano Banana 2.1 launch post for a campaign workflow.
Pick it when many images must keep the same person, product or brand look.
Seedream 5.5: realism, cutouts and layers
Seedream 5.5 is the most realistic Seedream model so far, with crisp small text and strong prompt adherence. It works at 1K and 2K across 8 aspect ratios.
Two things make it different:
- Transparent PNG output on both creation and editing, ready for product cutouts and stickers.
- Seedream 5.5 Layers, which splits one image into a base plus up to seven named transparent layers on the full canvas, so you can move or restyle parts of a scene in a design tool.
Text-to-image costs 6 credits at 1K and 9 at 2K. Editing combines up to 4 images for 14 or 17 credits. Layers is a flat 43 credits at 1K and 70 at 2K.
Pick it when the deliverable is a photo-real product shot, a transparent asset or a layered file.
Krea 3: fast drafts with legible text
Krea 3 makes sharp images with accurate text at 1K or 2K, across 10 aspect ratios. Attach up to 4 references and it switches to Krea 3 edit for precise changes. Text-to-image costs 5 credits at 1K and 9 at 2K, tied for the lowest entry price in this list. Editing is priced for the worst case of four full-size references: 22 credits at 1K and 43 at 2K.
Pick it when you want quick, readable concept images and iterate a lot.
MiniMax H3 Image: low-cost 4K and eight-image edits
MiniMax H3 Image is the newest model here. It renders detailed, prompt-faithful images with strong text and an automatic prompt rewriter, at 1K, 2K or 4K across 10 aspect ratios. The edit model combines up to 8 reference images, which you refer to as Image 1, Image 2 and so on.
Its pricing is the reason to look at it: 6 credits at both 1K and 2K, and 17 at 4K for text-to-image. Editing costs 17 credits at 1K or 2K and 29 at 4K.
Pick it when you need 4K output on a budget, or a composite from several source images.
How to choose: a quick decision guide
- Need GIF, SVG or a vector logo? Use GPT Image 2.6.
- Need a transparent PNG or separate layers? Use Seedream 5.5 (or GPT Image 2.6 for transparent PNG).
- Same character or product across many images? Use Nano Banana 2.1 with Visual DNA, or GPT Image 2.6 Sunburst for consistent edits.
- Many fast drafts? Use Krea 3 or Seedream 5.5 at 1K.
- 4K on a budget? Use MiniMax H3 Image.
Not sure? Smart Select picks a model for the prompt, and our Visual DNA guide shows how to keep characters consistent across any of these models. For FLUX models, see the FLUX image guide.
How to compare models side by side in Kolbo.AI
- Open Create Image at app.kolbo.ai.
- Write one prompt that matches your real deliverable, including any exact text in quotes.
- Select two or more models in the model picker. Kolbo.AI sends the same prompt to each one.
- Keep the aspect ratio and resolution the same so the comparison is fair. If a model does not support a setting, Kolbo.AI uses the closest one that model offers.
- Check the credit quote on the Generate button, then generate.
- Compare text accuracy, subject fidelity and composition at the size you will publish, then continue with the winner.
FAQ
What is the best AI image generator in 2026?
There is no single winner. GPT Image 2.6 covers the most formats (including GIF and SVG), Nano Banana 2.1 takes the most references, and Seedream 5.5 leads on transparent and layered output. Choose by the deliverable.
Which AI image generator is best for text in images?
GPT Image 2.6, Seedream 5.5, Krea 3, MiniMax H3 and Nano Banana 2.1 all list text rendering as a strength. Always put the exact wording in quotes and check spelling at the final size before you publish.
Which AI image model can make a transparent PNG?
In this lineup, GPT Image 2.6 and Seedream 5.5 support transparent backgrounds. Seedream 5.5 Layers can also split an existing image into transparent layers.
What is the cheapest AI image generator here?
At 1K, Krea 3 starts at 5 credits, Seedream 5.5 and MiniMax H3 at 6, and GPT Image 2.6 at 5 (low quality). For 4K, MiniMax H3 Image at 17 credits is the lowest of the 4K models.
Can I use all five models with one subscription?
Yes. All five run inside Kolbo.AI on the same credit balance, alongside video, music and voice models, so you do not need a separate plan for each.
Try them yourself
The fastest way to know which model fits your work is to run your own prompt through two or three of them. Open Kolbo.AI and compare GPT Image 2.6, Nano Banana 2.1, Seedream 5.5, Krea 3 and MiniMax H3 side by side.