Model comparison
Compare Nano Banana 2 and MAI-Image-2.5 Pro using the same provider-sourced image generation rubric. No mystery score and no invented benchmark ranking.
Facts checked September 4, 2026
Set your usage. Your estimate updates as you type.
Example output: square 1,024 × 1,024 images. Prices depend on supported resolution and quality; edits and retries can cost extra.
Estimates exclude taxes, tools, cache storage/writes, free allowances and custom discounts. Image estimates cover output only, not prompt or reference-image charges. Quality modes differ by model. Unlisted settings are not treated as free.
| Model | Access | Estimated total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana 2Google | $0.67 | |
| MAI-Image-2.5 ProMicrosoft | Microsoft | No reviewed rate |
Quick take
Google's versatile image workhorse for fast generation, conversational edits, multiple references, grounded imagery, and outputs up to 4K.
There is no free API tier for this model, and grounded generation can add search charges beyond the image price.
Microsoft's quality-focused image generation and editing model for Azure teams that want enterprise deployment controls inside Microsoft Foundry.
Microsoft's public pricing table does not expose one universal rate, and preview services can have tighter quotas or fewer enterprise controls than mature Azure products.
Compare the published facts
Values use each provider's own published units and limits. A blank means the provider did not publish a directly comparable value in the sources reviewed.
| Image generation | Nano Banana 2 | MAI-Image-2.5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price basisA representative current provider price with its quality or resolution basis. | $0.067 / 1K image | Azure account / offer pricing |
| Maximum outputMaximum documented resolution or pixel area for the listed route. | 0.5K, 1K, 2K, 4K | Up to 1,048,576 pixels; PNG |
| Core tasksWhether the model supports generation, editing, or both. | Generation and conversational editing | Generation and image-to-image editing |
| Reference imagesHow the model can use images to guide or edit an output. | Multiple references and multi-turn edits | Single JPEG or PNG edit input |
| Text & layoutProvider-documented positioning for typography and structured composition. | Improved multilingual text rendering | Improved text rendering and layout control |
| API accessDirect and notable third-party routes included in this guide. | Gemini API, fal | Microsoft Foundry |
How to choose
Start with the job you need to complete, then validate cost, access, and policy details on your exact provider route.
Google says paid Gemini API content is not used to improve its products. Unpaid-service terms differ, so confirm that the project is attached to an active billing account before sending confidential material.
Provider and API links
Microsoft says Foundry Model prompts and outputs are not used to train foundation models without permission. Preview features may not support every storage or customer-managed-key control, so verify the deployed feature set.
Provider and API links
Frequently asked questions
Nano Banana 2: Google's versatile image workhorse for fast generation, conversational edits, multiple references, grounded imagery, and outputs up to 4K. MAI-Image-2.5 Pro: Microsoft's quality-focused image generation and editing model for Azure teams that want enterprise deployment controls inside Microsoft Foundry.
Consider Nano Banana 2 when your priority is Conversational image editing. Consider MAI-Image-2.5 Pro when your priority is Azure-based image applications. Test both with your own data and provider route before committing.
No. This comparison aligns provider-published facts for the Image generation category. It does not claim a universal winner or combine incompatible third-party benchmark scores.
