Is Ideogram v4 better than Nano Banana 2.1?

In the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena, Nano Banana 2.1 beats Ideogram v4 in 60% of 10 blind head-to-head votes on identical prompts (Ideogram v4 30%, ties 10%). The lead is narrow, so it could still change as votes come in. The per-prompt results on this page show where each model wins.

Which is faster, Ideogram v4 or Nano Banana 2.1?

Nano Banana 2.1 is faster: 10.9s median per 1:1 image against 14.8s for Ideogram v4, measured on the same 13 prompts at default settings in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena.

Which is cheaper, Ideogram v4 or Nano Banana 2.1?

Ideogram v4 is cheaper on BudgetPixel: 40 credits ($0.040) per 1:1 image against 45 credits ($0.045) for Nano Banana 2.1, at default settings.

How is this comparison made?

Both models render the identical prompt at default settings; voters see the two images blind and pick the better one. Model names are revealed only after the vote.

Ideogram v4 vs Nano Banana 2.1

13 identical prompts, default settings, blind community votes. Head-to-head: 30% preferred Ideogram v4, 60% preferred Nano Banana 2.1, 1 ties, 10 votes.

Ideogram v4 and Nano Banana 2.1 have met in 10 blind head-to-head votes on 13 identical prompts in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena. Nano Banana 2.1 was preferred in 60% of them and Ideogram v4 in 30%, with 1 ties — a narrow lead that more votes could still overturn. Nano Banana 2.1 was faster, at 10.9s median per image against 14.8s for Ideogram v4.

Ideogram v4 overview Ideogram v4 in the arena Try Ideogram v4Nano Banana 2.1 overview Nano Banana 2.1 in the arena Try Nano Banana 2.1

Ideogram v4

Nano Banana 2.1

“Exactly six folded paper boats sit on a pale blue tabletop: two red boats on the left, two yellow boats in the center, and two green boats on the right. A small white lighthouse figurine stands behind the center pair, nothing else.”Prompt adherence
Ideogram v4 · 11.1s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 9.3s · 40 crTry
“Adult women wearing masks (the kind you wear when you have a cold), in a warehouse, all wearing the kinds of outfits you would see models wear on a runway, counting lots of money (money is seen everywhere, on tables, on the floor, etc.). At least 4 different POVs.”Prompt adherence
Ideogram v4 · 16.6s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 11.7s · 40 crTry
“An abstract tapestry woven from the dreams of a sleeping dragon, depicted as a chaotic yet beautiful explosion of iridescent scales, fiery embers, and swirling smoke. The composition is dynamic and energetic, with bold brushstrokes and a rich, textured surface. The style is abstract expressionism, capturing the raw, untamed essence of draconic power.”Concept art & fantasy
Ideogram v4 · 12.9s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 10.9s · 40 crTry
“A colossal ring-shaped dam bridges a volcanic caldera, its black stone spillways veined with molten light. Rain veils the terraces as steam rises into a bruised dusk sky.”Concept art & fantasy
Ideogram v4 · 11.9s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 9.7s · 40 crTry
“An alien restaurant on a strange planet. The interior is well lit, but the décor is very strange and out of this world. Alien waitresses are bringing in platters of food. Alien diners are eating very unusual dishes.”Concept art & fantasy
Ideogram v4 · 19.4s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 10.7s · 40 crTry
“A solitary wolf, its fur subtly infused with shimmering, bio-luminescent patterns, howling at a sky filled with twin moons. The wolf stands on a cliff overlooking a vast, alien landscape dotted with strange, glowing rock formations and spectral, phosphorescent vegetation.”Concept art & fantasy
Ideogram v4 · 12.4s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 11.6s · 40 crTry
“A cathedral-sized mothlike creature glides above a frozen ravine, its translucent wings veined with amber light and fringed with frost. Tiny mountain pines cling to the cliffs as aurora colors ripple across the snow.”Concept art & fantasy
Ideogram v4 · 18.8s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 10.9s · 40 crTry
“Anime-style illustration of an adult young woman confidently balancing on the broad back of a massive humpback whale as it swims across the open ocean. She wears a stylish two-piece bikini appropriate for a sunny tropical setting, with wet hair and subtle water droplets catching the light. One hand grips a sturdy tether secured near the whale's dorsal area, using it to maintain her balance as the whale moves through the waves, while her other arm extends naturally for stability. The whale is enormous and majestic, its dark blue-gray skin covered in realistic texture, scars, and subtle highlights. Its powerful body breaks partially above the rolling ocean surface, creating a sweeping trail of white foam and spray behind it. The woman looks exhilarated and joyful, her expression conveying adventure and freedom rather than fear. Vast open sea stretches toward the horizon beneath a brilliant blue sky with scattered white clouds. Sunlight sparkles across the water”Illustration & anime
Ideogram v4 · 13.8s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 12.0s · 40 crTry
“A sports car in a daredevil stunt has driven off a road from a high cliff, attempting to fly and land on the road on the next cliff. Beautiful mountainous background, sunny blue sky. Show motion, speed, and action.”Photorealism
Ideogram v4 · 11.4s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 10.0s · 40 crTry
“Candid documentary photograph of an adult waiting beside a city bus shelter at dawn, sodium streetlights fading into cool blue daylight, 50mm lens with shallow depth of field, fine rain droplets clinging to the shelter glass.”Photorealism
Ideogram v4 · 15.0s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 10.4s · 40 crTry
“A young beautiful woman of Chinese descent, she is twenty years old, sitting in a bedroom, sitting on the edge of her bed. She is wearing a black anime-themed shirt and denim shorts. She has dark brown hair with light blue highlights, brown eyes, pale skin. Her bedroom has anime- and video game-inspired posters and trinkets. Looking at the viewer, smiling.”Portrait & fashion
Ideogram v4 · 16.9s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 12.8s · 40 crTry
“Realistic. Four to five adults having a very lucky day. One of the people is a clown with a very strange cat on their head. Another is wearing a black crop top and multicolored shorts. The word “Lucky” is seen at least twice in the background.”Typography
Ideogram v4 · 19.2s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 11.9s · 40 crTry
“Within a quiet mineral gallery, amethyst clusters and polished geodes catch pools of light; "PALE ATLAS" is carved in clean capitals across a slate plaque beside the entrance.”Typography
Ideogram v4 · 14.8s · 40 crTry
Nano Banana 2.1 · 9.8s · 40 crTry

FAQ

Is Ideogram v4 better than Nano Banana 2.1?: In the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena, Nano Banana 2.1 beats Ideogram v4 in 60% of 10 blind head-to-head votes on identical prompts (Ideogram v4 30%, ties 10%). The lead is narrow, so it could still change as votes come in. The per-prompt results on this page show where each model wins.
Which is faster, Ideogram v4 or Nano Banana 2.1?: Nano Banana 2.1 is faster: 10.9s median per 1:1 image against 14.8s for Ideogram v4, measured on the same 13 prompts at default settings in the BudgetPixel AI Image Arena.
Which is cheaper, Ideogram v4 or Nano Banana 2.1?: Ideogram v4 is cheaper on BudgetPixel: 40 credits ($0.040) per 1:1 image against 45 credits ($0.045) for Nano Banana 2.1, at default settings.
How is this comparison made?: Both models render the identical prompt at default settings; voters see the two images blind and pick the better one. Model names are revealed only after the vote.