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Flux 2 Pro vs Grok Imagine — Which AI Image Model Should You Use?
Flux 2 Pro from Black Forest Labs and Grok Imagine from xAI are the two premium image models available through agent-media CLI. They share the same credit cost but produce noticeably different results. Flux is engineered for photorealism, fast iteration, and accurate text rendering inside images. Grok Imagine takes a more artistic approach, generating distinctive visuals with rich detail and complex scene composition. Here is a detailed breakdown to help you choose.
TL;DR — Quick Verdict
Choose Flux 2 Pro for marketing materials, product mockups, and any image that needs readable text (logos, signs, UI screenshots). Flux renders at roughly 10 seconds per image, making it the faster option for rapid iteration. Choose Grok Imagine for concept art, editorial illustrations, and scenes that benefit from artistic interpretation. Grok produces a distinctive aesthetic with richer colors, more dramatic lighting, and better handling of multi-element compositions.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Flux 2 Pro | Grok Imagine |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | fal.ai / Black Forest Labs | xAI |
| Resolution | 1024x1024+ | 1024x1024 |
| Generation Speed | ~10 seconds | ~15 seconds |
| Credit Cost | 50-100 credits | 50-100 credits |
| Cost per Image | ~$0.15 | ~$0.15 |
| Text Rendering | Excellent | Fair |
| Photorealism | Excellent | Good |
| Artistic Style | Good | Excellent |
| Complex Scenes | Good | Excellent |
| Custom Aspect Ratios | Yes | Limited |
When to Use Flux 2 Pro
- Your image includes text (signs, labels, brand names) — Flux renders legible text inside images more accurately than any other model, including Grok, DALL-E, and Midjourney
- You are creating product photography or mockups — Flux's photorealism ensures materials, reflections, and lighting look physically plausible
- Speed is important — at ~10 seconds per image, Flux is 33% faster than Grok, which adds up when generating batches of social media assets
- You need flexible output dimensions — Flux supports custom aspect ratios beyond square, useful for banners, stories, and wide-format ads
- Your workflow involves rapid A/B testing of visual concepts where turnaround time directly affects iteration speed
When to Use Grok Imagine
- Concept art and illustration — Grok produces images with a distinctive painterly quality that feels crafted rather than generated, ideal for pitch decks and editorial content
- Multi-element scenes with interaction — when your prompt includes several characters, objects, and environmental details, Grok composes them into a coherent scene more reliably than Flux
- You want dramatic, stylized lighting — Grok tends toward bolder color palettes and more cinematic light setups, giving images a visual intensity that suits creative projects
- Exploratory creative work where surprise is welcome — Grok interprets prompts more loosely than Flux, often adding unexpected details that spark new ideas
- Editorial and social media imagery where a unique, recognizable aesthetic helps your content stand out from stock photography
Generate with Both Image Models
Same credit cost, different visual results. Generate both and pick the winner.
# Flux — product photo with text overlay
$ agent-media generate flux2-pro -p "Minimalist coffee bag packaging labeled AURORA ROAST on a marble countertop, morning light" --sync
# Grok — artistic editorial illustration
$ agent-media generate grok-image -p "A solitary astronaut tending a garden inside a space station, Earth visible through the window, soft watercolor style" --sync
Price Comparison
Both models use the same credit range, so the decision is purely about output style. If you want the absolute cheapest option, Flux 2 Flex is also available at 25-50 credits.
Flux 2 Pro
~$0.15
per image (50-100 credits)
~10s generation
Grok Imagine
~$0.15
per image (50-100 credits)
~15s generation
Flux 2 Flex (budget)
~$0.08
per image (25-50 credits)
~5s generation