Flux
Reviewed by Alexis Morain · Updated August 6, 2026
FLUX is Black Forest Labs' image generation model, open source and available via API. Free local models, API pricing starts at $0.014/image.
A recent, prompt-accurate image model that's open and self-hostable, with a European vendor that's reassuring for GDPR, a real contender against the leaders.
- Prompt-accurate output with readable text in images
- Open models that run locally
- The [dev] version is under a non-commercial license
FLUX is a family of AI image generation models published by the German company Black Forest Labs, founded in 2024 by former Stable Diffusion creators. Known for their quality and prompt accuracy, FLUX models come in open and commercial versions.
What is FLUX for?
You generate images from text, with output often praised for consistency, readable text within the image, and prompt accuracy. FLUX comes in several versions: FLUX.1 [schnell], fast and open source under the Apache 2.0 license, FLUX.1 [dev] under a non-commercial license, and more powerful API versions (FLUX.2). It runs locally on a GPU, via Black Forest Labs' API, or through third-party platforms like Azure AI Foundry and OpenRouter.
FLUX or Stable Diffusion?
Compared to Stable Diffusion, which it's partly descended from, FLUX is often seen as more accurate and sharper on recent outputs. Compared to Midjourney or DALL·E, it adds openness and self-hosting. A good GDPR signal: the vendor is European. For a studio wanting both quality and control, it's a rising choice.
How much does FLUX cost?
The open models (schnell for free use, dev for non-commercial use) are free to run locally, on a GPU with at least 8GB of VRAM. On the API side, billing is usage-based: about $0.014 per image for FLUX.2 klein, up to about $0.07 per image for FLUX.2 max. Third-party platforms apply their own pricing.
Pros & Cons
- Prompt-accurate output with readable text in images
- Open models that run locally
- European vendor (good GDPR signal)
- Available via API and third-party platforms
- The [dev] version is under a non-commercial license
- Local use requires a decent GPU
- Per-image pricing keeps changing
Key features of Flux
Text to image
Accurate generation from a text description
Open models
schnell (Apache 2.0) and dev, downloadable
API
FLUX.2 klein and max, usage-based
Third-party platforms
Azure AI Foundry, OpenRouter
Flux pricing
The open FLUX models are free to run locally: FLUX.1 [schnell] under the Apache 2.0 license (free use) and FLUX.1 [dev] under a non-commercial license, on a GPU with at least 8GB of VRAM. On the API side, billing is usage-based: about $0.014 per image for FLUX.2 klein, up to about $0.07 per image for FLUX.2 max. FLUX is also available via Azure AI Foundry and OpenRouter, at their own rates.
Free plan / trial
Free: the open source models that run locally (FLUX.1 [schnell] for free use under Apache 2.0, dev for non-commercial use), on a GPU with at least 8GB of VRAM.
Open source (local)
Downloadable models · 8GB+ GPU · Free use (schnell)
$0 schnell Apache 2.0 / dev non-commercial
API FLUX.2 klein
Cloud generation · Pay-as-you-go · No install
~$0.014 per image
API FLUX.2 max
Maximum quality · High-end output · Usage-based
~$0.07 per image
Pricing verified on July 12, 2026
Try FluxWho is Flux for?
Best for
- Studios wanting quality and pipeline control
- Developers integrating image generation
- Use cases favoring a European vendor
Not recommended for
- Commercial use of the [dev] model alone (non-commercial license)
- Anyone without a GPU or the skills for local use
Want to try Flux?
Head to the official site and the current offer.
Frequently asked questions about Flux
Is FLUX free?▼
FLUX or Stable Diffusion?▼
Who publishes FLUX?▼
Analyze with an AI assistant
Tech sheet
Vendor
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