Nano Banana 2.1 vs Nano Banana Pro: which fits your image task?
Our tests split by task: choose Nano Banana 2.1 for structured UI graphics without extra text, product preservation across scene changes, and a narrow advantage in hand and grip visibility. Choose Nano Banana Pro for multilingual text layout and advertising composition. Many creation and editing tasks tied overall, including product materials, object binding, text replacement, identity and garment transfer, relighting, and outpainting.
Side-by-side facts
| Feature | Nano Banana 2.1 | Nano Banana Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | ||
| Availability on Banana Pie | Available now | Available now |
| Credits from | 25 credits | 80 credits |
| Max resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Reference images | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
Scenario by scenario
Same prompt. Two models. Judge the difference in the published images below.
Product material and lighting
Depends on the taskTie. Both satisfy the main bottle, fill, and material requirements. Right has a slight advantage in directional lighting and reflection subtlety, but the overall difference is small.
- Object count and exclusions: Even. Both images show exactly one upright transparent rectangular perfume bottle on wet black stone, with no visible text, logo, plants, or separate extra objects.
- Halfway amber fill: Even. Both bottles have a clear amber liquid surface approximately halfway up the interior, with transparent empty space above it.
- Glass refraction and stone reflection: Even overall. Both show thick glass edges, amber light transmitted through the base, and one aligned reflection interrupted by the stone's texture. Left has a brighter, more prominent reflection; right's darker reflection is closer to the requested subtle effect.
- Upper-left lighting and contact shadow: Right is slightly stronger. Its bright upper-left shoulder and spray head accompany a clear shadow extending toward the lower right and dark contact beneath the base. Left also has plausible upper-left highlights and grounding at the base, but its cast shadow is less distinct.
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
A premium product photograph of exactly one transparent rectangular perfume bottle, half filled with amber liquid, standing upright on wet black stone. Light comes from the upper left, creating coherent refraction, a contact shadow, and one subtle reflection. No text, logo, plants, or extra objects.
Multilingual typography
Better here: Nano Banana ProRIGHT wins by preserving the exact four-line arrangement and providing more even spacing. LEFT adds an unwanted line break within the title.
- Four centered lines and no additional text: RIGHT does better. It has exactly four centered lines with no extra text. LEFT has five centered lines because the title wraps onto two lines.
- Exact wording and order: RIGHT renders "MOONLIGHT MARKET", "月光市集", "18 OCT", and "RIVER HALL" as the four requested lines. LEFT renders "MOONLIGHT", "MARKET", "月光市集", "18 OCT", and "RIVER HALL"; the wording is correct, but the title's line break violates the requested arrangement.
- Text colors: Both are correct. "月光市集" is red in each poster, and all English text and numerals are black.
- Legibility, spacing, and alignment: RIGHT does better with a consistently spaced, centered four-line block. LEFT is also legible and centered, but its large changes in type size and uneven vertical gaps make the spacing less uniform.
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Design a clean cream-colored vertical event poster. Show exactly four centered text lines and no other text: "MOONLIGHT MARKET", "月光市集", "18 OCT", and "RIVER HALL". Render "月光市集" in red and all other lines in black.
Human anatomy and contact
Better here: Nano Banana 2.1LEFT wins narrowly because its hands and shaping grip are more clearly visible. Both fall short of showing five distinct fingers on each fully visible hand.
- Exactly two fully visible hands are present, with no extra hands or people: LEFT does better. Its two hands are clearly separated, one outside the bowl and one inside. RIGHT overlaps the hands heavily, hiding much of the lower hand behind the upper hand and bowl rim. Neither image shows extra people or extra hands, but neither makes every part of both hands visible.
- Each hand has exactly five distinct, naturally formed fingers: LEFT is slightly closer, though neither satisfies this criterion. LEFT clearly exposes four adjacent fingers on the inner hand, while its thumb is hidden; the outer hand's fingers overlap along the bowl. RIGHT conceals several digits behind the rim and overlapping hands, making the required five distinct fingers per hand much less apparent.
- The fingers, joints, and contact with the clay are anatomically plausible: LEFT is slightly stronger. The inner fingers rest against the bowl wall while the opposite hand supports the exterior, forming a readable shaping grip. Its outward-pointing thumb is lifted away from the clay. RIGHT has plausible bent fingers, but the overlapping hands obscure their connections and one extended fingertip hovers above the interior.
- The clay bowl, spinning wheel, and shaping action are clearly recognizable: The two are even. Both show a recognizable clay bowl with concentric throwing lines on a wheel with circular motion blur, and hands positioned around the wall to shape it.
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
A photorealistic close-up of an adult potter shaping a clay bowl on a spinning wheel. Both hands are fully visible, each with five natural fingers touching the clay. No other people or hands. Soft window light.
Counting and attribute binding
Depends on the taskTie. Both images satisfy the requested counts, arrangement, material and color assignments, and right-facing mug handle, with no meaningful rubric-based advantage.
- Object counts and placement: Both sides are even. Each shows exactly three red cubes in a row on the left, two blue spheres on the right, and one yellow mug centered behind the groups.
- Colors, shapes, and materials: Both sides are even. The red cubes have visible wood grain, the blue spheres show transparency and glass reflections, and the yellow mugs have glazed ceramic surfaces. Both arrangements sit on matte gray tables.
- Mug handle direction: Both sides are even. Each mug has a clearly visible handle extending to the right.
- No additional objects or text: Both sides are even. Neither arrangement includes extra objects or visible text.
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
On a matte gray table, exactly three red wooden cubes form a row on the left, exactly two blue glass spheres sit on the right, and one yellow ceramic mug stands centered behind them. The mug handle points right. No other objects or text.
Advertising composition
Better here: Nano Banana ProRIGHT wins primarily because it follows the text restriction and places the headline closer to the requested position. Both show the required single silver shoe and orange curve, but neither precisely follows the trail’s requested bottom-left origin.
- Shoe and orange trail placement: Both show exactly one silver shoe in the lower-right and an orange trail curving through the lower-left. Neither cleanly starts the trail at the bottom-left corner; both extend prominently toward the bottom-right. They are even on this criterion.
- Only permitted text: RIGHT wins. It renders only "RUN LIGHT" and "42 KM", both correctly spelled. LEFT renders those correctly but also adds "AERO" on the shoe, violating the restriction on additional text.
- Empty top and headline position: RIGHT is closer. Both leave the top uncluttered, but RIGHT places its upper-left headline just below a distinct blank top band. LEFT leaves a much deeper empty area and places the headline substantially farther down. Both reserve more space above the headline than requested.
- Visibility and visual hierarchy: Both keep the shoe, headline, and round badge fully visible with legible text. RIGHT has a clearer separation between the upper-left headline, central badge, and lower-right shoe; LEFT also has a readable hierarchy, though its large empty upper area pushes the composition downward.
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Create a vertical social ad for a fictional running shoe named AERO. Keep the top 15 percent empty. Directly below it, place the headline "RUN LIGHT" in the upper-left. Show exactly one silver shoe in the lower-right, an orange trail curving from the bottom-left, and a round badge reading "42 KM". No other shoes or text.
Structured UI graphic
Better here: Nano Banana 2.1Left wins because it follows the requested structure without adding text. Right introduces plan details despite the explicit instruction to include no additional text.
- Title and three column labels: Both sides satisfy this criterion. Each displays the exact title "CHOOSE YOUR PLAN" above exactly three columns labeled "STARTER", "PRO", and "TEAM".
- Exactly three aligned rows per column: Left does better. Each column contains only the three aligned rows "PROJECTS", "STORAGE", and "SUPPORT". Right aligns those same labels but adds descriptive lines beneath each, making the rows more elaborate than requested.
- One blue SELECT button per column: Both sides satisfy this criterion. Each column has exactly one blue button labeled "SELECT", and the buttons align horizontally.
- Even alignment and no additional columns or text: Left does better. Its equal-width columns are evenly spaced and contain no extra text. Right also has evenly aligned columns, but adds "5 active projects", "10 GB", and "Email support" under "STARTER"; "20 active projects", "50 GB", and "Priority email & chat support" under "PRO"; and "Unlimited projects", "200 GB", and "24/7 phone, email & chat support" under "TEAM".
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Create a clean horizontal pricing comparison graphic titled "CHOOSE YOUR PLAN". Use exactly three equal columns labeled "STARTER", "PRO", and "TEAM". Under each column, show exactly three aligned rows labeled "PROJECTS", "STORAGE", and "SUPPORT", followed by one blue button labeled "SELECT". White background, dark navy text, no additional columns or text.
Six-reference object binding and edit
Depends on the taskTie overall. Both complete all six object bindings cleanly and preserve the tabletop scene closely. RIGHT has a small advantage in preserving the original mug’s footprint, but the overall difference is marginal.
- Mug and towel replacement: RIGHT is slightly closer. Both show the navy mug’s gold rim and curved handle from Reference 2, plus the sage-green-and-white stripes and folded fabric from Reference 3. RIGHT’s mug more closely preserves the original mug’s footprint and opening position; LEFT’s mug is narrower and its rim sits lower. Both napkins occupy the original towel area.
- Orange and notebook replacement: The two are even. Each replaces the pear with exactly one orange with a green leaf and stem, matching Reference 4, and replaces the blue notebook with a mustard hardcover with the black elastic band from Reference 5. Both retain the notebook’s placement and angle, and neither leaves any of the four original objects.
- Two lemons to the right of the mug: The two are even. Each contains exactly two lemons to the mug’s right, with one leafy, elongated lemon and one leafless lemon recognizable from Reference 6. Their placements differ, but both meet the requested relationship and introduce no extra objects.
- Base scene preservation: The two are nearly even, with RIGHT slightly closer through the mug’s placement and scale. Both retain the original tabletop framing, upper-right table edge, distinctive foreground knots, and horizontal wood grain. Both maintain the warm lighting and contact shadows, although the replacement objects change the local shadow shapes.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Use Reference 1 as the base tabletop scene. Replace the red mug with the exact dark navy-blue mug from Reference 2 in the same position and orientation. Replace the folded white towel with the exact green-and-white striped napkin from Reference 3 in the same folded area. Replace the green pear with exactly one orange from Reference 4 in the same position. Replace the blue notebook with the exact mustard-yellow hardcover notebook from Reference 5 in the same position. Add exactly the two lemons from Reference 6 to the right of the mug. Preserve the wooden table, camera, framing, wood grain, lighting, shadows, and all other spatial relationships from Reference 1. Do not copy the white product backgrounds from References 2–6, duplicate any asset, or add other objects.
In-image text replacement
Depends on the taskTie. Both deliver the exact replacement text and preserve the storefront convincingly. RIGHT has a small edge in spacing and shadow preservation, but the overall difference is marginal.
- Exact sign text: Both sides read exactly "NIGHT OWL". The reference’s "MORNING BEAN" is completely gone in both, so they are even.
- No additional or malformed characters: Both sides have clean, recognizable uppercase letters, with no extra characters or remnants of the old lettering. They are even.
- Font character, spacing, and perspective: Both preserve the reference’s cream sans-serif capitals and align the lettering with the sloping sign. RIGHT’s slightly tighter letter spacing is marginally closer to the reference; LEFT spreads the replacement wording a little wider.
- Sign material, lighting, and surrounding scene: Both retain the green wood sign, lamps, storefront, planters, bench, and overall sunlight direction. RIGHT more closely retains the shadow across the middle of the sign and the textured appearance of the facade, while LEFT looks slightly smoother. The difference is small.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Replace only the sign text with exactly "NIGHT OWL". Preserve the original font style, spacing, perspective, sign material, lighting, and everything else.
Multi-reference identity and garment transfer
Depends on the taskTie. Both preserve the person and scene convincingly and transfer the jacket's defining details. Small differences in collar shape, patch visibility, and jacket length do not produce a clear overall winner.
- Identity, expression, hair, pose, proportions, and framing: The two are even. Both closely preserve Reference 1's facial features, closed-mouth expression, swept dark hair, forward gaze, and hands held together at the waist. Their head placement and portrait framing are also very similar to the reference.
- Jacket fidelity: The two are close. Both reproduce Reference 2's pale blue denim, cream fleece collar, metal buttons, pointed chest-pocket flaps, vertical seams, and red upper-sleeve patch. LEFT retains a more compact jacket length and a visible hem button; RIGHT gives the collar and red patch a slightly fuller appearance closer to the product image. Neither has a decisive overall advantage.
- Complete replacement and background preservation: The two are even. Both fully replace the black blazer with denim while retaining the white shirt, gray wall, and bright window edge from Reference 1. Neither introduces a mannequin or the white product background.
- Physical coherence: The two are even. Both show plausible bent sleeves, cuffs surrounding the wrists, hands overlapping the jacket opening, and fabric folds around the elbows. The soft light from the left and shaded right side remain consistent with the original scene, with no conspicuous anatomical or occlusion errors.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Use the portrait in Reference 1 for the person and the isolated jacket in Reference 2 for the garment. Dress the person from Reference 1 in the exact jacket shown in Reference 2. Preserve the person's identity, face, expression, skin, hair, hands, pose, body proportions, background, framing, and lighting from Reference 1. Preserve the jacket's material, color, collar, buttons, pockets, and sleeve patch from Reference 2. Do not copy the ghost mannequin or white product background.
Coherent scene relighting
Depends on the taskTie. Both deliver convincing directional golden-hour relighting while preserving the room’s furnishings. Their different sunlight patterns do not give either a clear overall advantage.
- Warm golden-hour light clearly enters from the left window: Both sides do this well. Amber sunlight illuminates the sofa and table, with bright window-shaped patches on the rear wall and rug that visibly connect the lighting to the left window.
- Highlights and shadow directions respond coherently to the new light source: The two are close. Both show illuminated left-facing plant leaves, a plant shadow cast onto the wall to the right, and table shadows extending rightward across the rug. RIGHT also clearly lights the lower lampshade and casts its shadow onto the wall; LEFT has similarly convincing directional light across the table and sofa.
- The result is more than a uniform yellow color filter: Both sides satisfy this criterion. Each introduces distinct sunlight boundaries, window-frame shadows, foliage silhouettes, and deeper shade beneath the furniture, while the shaded foreground remains less golden than the sunlit areas.
- No furniture or decor is moved, added, removed, or redesigned: Both sides preserve the reference closely. The two-cushion sofa, wooden table, rectangular rug, potted tree, and floor lamp retain their placement and recognizable forms. Neither shows a clear furniture or decor addition or removal.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Change the lighting to warm golden-hour sunlight entering from the left window. Do not move, add, remove, or redesign any object. Update highlights and shadows coherently.
Cross-ratio outpainting
Depends on the taskTie. Both fulfill the outpainting request with centered preservation of the original scene and convincing lateral extensions; the visible differences do not give either a clear advantage.
- 16:9 output with natural new content on both sides: The two are even. Both show a wide landscape canvas with beach, ocean, and sky continuing naturally to the left and right, with no letterboxing.
- Complete original image centered without cropping or stretching: The two are even. Both retain the reference’s full vertical composition, from the upper clouds to the foreground sand, with the cabin centered and its proportions preserved.
- Original cabin, shoreline, and internal composition unchanged: The two are very close. Both preserve the reference’s roof shape, door and hinges, supporting blocks, rightward shadow, and placement of the horizon and surf. Neither shows a clear compositional change within the central image.
- Extensions without visible seams, mirrored filler, or repeated objects: The two are even. Both maintain continuous horizons and surf bands, with varied sand texture and cloud formations in the extensions. Neither has an obvious join, duplicated cabin, or conspicuous mirrored filler.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Expand the canvas to a 16:9 landscape by naturally continuing the beach, ocean, and sky on both sides. Keep the complete original image centered without cropping, stretching, letterboxing, or modifying it.
Product preservation across scene change
Better here: Nano Banana 2.1LEFT wins because it preserves the reference sneaker's orientation, construction, and side mark while clearly establishing the wet basketball court at dusk. RIGHT creates convincing wet-surface lighting but changes the shoe's viewing angle and reverses its orientation.
- Wet outdoor basketball court at dusk: LEFT does better. Visible hoops, fencing, painted court lines, wet pavement, and a pink-blue evening sky establish the setting clearly. RIGHT also shows a wet lined court with sunset colors and a reflected backboard, but the basketball setting is less immediately legible.
- Silhouette, sole geometry, stitching, materials, and camera angle: LEFT does better. It retains the reference's heel-left, toe-right view, panel layout, stitched seams, white upper, and textured toe bumper. RIGHT turns the toe toward the left and presents a more frontal view, substantially changing the requested camera angle despite retaining many construction details.
- Black geometric side mark: LEFT does better. Its short rear segment, rising diagonal, and long downward-forward branch follow the reference's shape and orientation. RIGHT renders the mark in the opposite orientation along with the reversed shoe, so it does not preserve its appearance as shown in the reference.
- Contact shadow, wet-surface reflection, and dusk lighting: The two are even. LEFT uses a tight shadow beneath the sole and a fragmented reflection across rough, wet pavement. RIGHT uses a stronger inverted reflection in smoother standing water and a dark contact region beneath the shoe. Both combine cool ambient light with warm evening reflections plausibly.
Reference images
Prompt & settings used
Prompt
Place the sneaker on a wet outdoor basketball court at dusk. Preserve the exact sneaker shape, black geometric side mark, materials, stitching, sole geometry, and camera angle. Add physically coherent contact, reflections, and dusk lighting.
Cost & latency
Nano Banana 2.1 starts at 25 credits, while Nano Banana Pro starts at 80 credits, making 2.1 the lower-credit option for iteration. In the small latency sample from this run, 2.1 took 18.3–126.4 seconds and Pro took 39.2–67.9 seconds. The quicker model varied by scenario; these are observed timings for this run.
How we compared & disclosure
We used a reproducible fixed-prompt run: one fixed prompt per scenario, one run per model per scenario, with results published as generated. We compared each image against the scenario’s requested details and constraints. Banana Pie sells paid access to both models on this site.
Banana Pie sells paid access to this model alongside other models in one studio. Our verdicts come from tests run through the same pipeline our users get.