The Method
Four dimensions. Fixed weights. The same 50 prompts for every tool. No advertiser exceptions — there are no advertisers.
Dimensions & weights
| dimension | weight | measures |
|---|---|---|
| output_quality | 40% | Blind-scored realism, composition, artifact rate across 50 prompts |
| prompt_adherence | 25% | Prompts where all constraints (count, text, spatial) render correctly |
| editing_control | 20% | Inpaint stability, style consistency, iteration workflow |
| value | 15% | Per-image cost at production volume vs quality delivered |
Protocol
Default settings, October 2026 test window. Three reviewers score blind. Final score = weighted mean. The prompt set is available on request. Any score published on this site can be recomputed from these rules.
Disclosure
We buy our own subscriptions; manufacturers see nothing before publication. The Image Index is part of a network of independent review publications — the full list of related publications is on the info page. They do not represent independent confirmations of one another.