Qwen Image: every version explained
Alibaba's image models, newest first. The version numbers are not in date order, which is the most common source of confusion.
All Qwen image versions by release date
| Model | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qwen-Image-2.1-Turbo | 9 Oct 2026 | Open weights, fast |
| Qwen-Image-2.1-Pro | 2 Oct 2026 | API; native transparent images |
| Qwen-Image-3.0 | 4 Aug 2026 | API |
| Qwen-Image-3.0-Pro | 20 Jul 2026 | API; long prompts (up to ~4.5k tokens), stable text |
| Qwen-Image-2.0 / 2.0-Pro | 3 Mar 2026 | Generation and editing in one model; multilingual text in images |
| Qwen-Image-Edit-Max | 15 Jan 2026 | API editing |
| Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 | Late 2025 | Last separate open-weights Edit model |
| Qwen-Image-Max | 30 Dec 2025 | API |
Dates from Alibaba Cloud Model Studio's release list. Qwen-Image-2.0 merged generation and editing, so later versions edit images as well as create them.
Which Qwen image model should you use?
- Run it yourself: Qwen-Image-2.1-Turbo, the newest open-weights version; community ComfyUI workflows exist for the Qwen-Image family.
- Best quality through the API: Qwen-Image-2.1-Pro, or 3.0-Pro for very long, detailed prompts.
- Editing an existing image: any version from 2.0 on; Edit-2511 if you need the older standalone open model.
- Transparent PNGs: 2.1-Pro generates them natively.
Qwen Image vs GPT Image 2.6
| Qwen Image 2.1 | GPT Image 2.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Open weights | Yes (Turbo) | No |
| Text in images | Multilingual, strong in Chinese | Strong |
| Animated GIF | No | Yes, 2–16 frames |
| SVG | No | Yes |
For GIFs and SVGs see GPT Image 2.6; for the next Google model see Nano Banana 3.
Questions
What is the latest Qwen image model?
By date, Qwen-Image-2.1 (Pro on 2 October and open-weights Turbo on 9 October 2026). By version number, Qwen-Image-3.0 and 3.0-Pro, which came out earlier, in July and August 2026. Alibaba's numbering is not chronological.
Is Qwen-Image-Edit-2511 still the edit model to use?
It was the last standalone open Edit model. Since Qwen-Image-2.0, generation and editing are merged into one model, so newer versions edit too.
How much does Qwen Image cost?
Qwen-Image-2.0-Pro is 0.5 CNY per image in Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Beijing region). Open-weights versions are free to run on your own hardware, subject to their license.
Is there a Qwen Image 4?
No. Qwen 4 is a language model; the highest image version number is 3.0.
Sources: Alibaba Cloud Model Studio release notes and Qwen-Image-2.0-Pro docs; OpenAI GPT Image 2.6 guide. Last checked 10 Nov 2026.