FLUX 2 Pro, Midjourney, or Seedream 4.5—three different image "characters" with the same prompt in Vlex AI. FLUX 2 Pro excels at photorealism, Midjourney delivers cinematic illustrations, and Seedream 4.5 offers detail and variations. Below is a comparison table of the aggregator's models, the full catalog of 13 image models, and an honest answer about when the free Kandinsky is sufficient and when Vlex AI is needed.
The search query "best neural networks for image generation" in 2026 doesn't have a single winner. Designers, SMM specialists, and developers all have different criteria: quality, speed, price, access from Russia, and commercial rights. We've put together a practical matrix without marketing superlatives—based on open data from services and Midjourney's official pricing plans.
Comparison Table: FLUX 2 Pro vs. Midjourney vs. Seedream 4.5
| Criterion | FLUX 2 Pro | Midjourney | Seedream 4.5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong point | Photorealism, clear textures | Expressive "art" aesthetics | Detailing, variations, design references |
| Free mode | Through aggregators with a trial tariff | No (paid plans from $10/month at docs.midjourney.com) | Via the Vlex AI trial plan |
| Access from Russia | Via Vlex AI and similar platforms | Depends on the region and account; the model is connected in the aggregator | Via Vlex AI |
| The ideal task | Product photos, advertising shots | Concept art, posters, stylization | Detailed scenes, variations in style |
| Limitation | Less "magic" styling than MJ | Subscription in USD, no free plan | Narrow specialization vs. the universal FLUX |
Recommendation: don't choose "forever" - test one prompt on two models and keep the version that is closest to the brief.
Vlex AI's full catalog of image models
The vlex-ai.io interface supports Seedream 4.5, Seedream 5.0 Lite, Nano Banana, Nano Banana 2, Nano Banana Pro, Midjourney, FLUX 2 Pro, FLUX 2 Flex, Z-Image, Kling 01, Grok Image, Wan 2.7 Image, and GPT Image 2. The list is constantly updated—check the image generation section for the latest catalog.
- Seedream 4.5
- Seedream 5.0 Lite
- Nano Banana
- Nano Banana 2
- Nano Banana Pro
- Midjourney
- FLUX 2 Pro
- FLUX 2 Flex
- Z-Image
- Kling 01
- Grok Image
- Wan 2.7 Image
- GPT Image 2
Kandinsky: Pros for Russia and Cons of a Single Ecosystem
Kandinsky is a family of generative models from Sber. Current versions (including the 6 Image series) are available through GigaChat and related products. The main advantage for Russian users is understanding the Russian prompt and the lack of foreign payment at launch.
Cons: You remain within the Sber ecosystem. There's no option to switch to the FLUX 2 Pro or Midjourney in the same window, and there's no unified account with Western models. This is sufficient for personal tasks and quick illustrations; for advertising production with different styles, it's often cramped.
Verdict: Kandinsky is a smart choice if you need free images in Russian and aren't comparing models. For commercial A/B testing of visuals, check out an aggregator or separate subscriptions.
Shedevroom and YandexART: Free, but with limits
Shedevroom (shedevrum.ai) uses YandexART and YandexGPT. The website lists a limit. 70 pictures a day; Limits may vary in the mobile app. A PRO subscription with 4K and additional features is available.
Pros: social feed, mobility, zero entry barrier. Cons: daily limit, less control over the "professional" pipeline than FLUX 2 Pro. For an SMM specialist with daily content, 70 frames is enough; for a studio with hundreds of layouts per day, it's not.
Recommendation: Combine Masterpiece for drafts and Aggregator for high-quality final shots.
Flux and FLUX 2 Pro: A Focus on Photorealism
Flux is a family of models focused on realistic textures and predictable anatomy. FLUX 2 Pro is available in the Vlex AI aggregator along with other image models. On direct platforms, Flux often requires separate registration and an API.
Strong scripts: product photography, interiors, food photography, packaging mockups. Weaker than Midjourney in its "fairytale" stylization and poster dramaturgy, but fewer surprises with proportions in realistic scenes.
Recommendation: E-commerce marketers tend to prefer FLUX 2 Pro over MJ; comic book illustrators, on the other hand, prefer it.
Midjourney: Aesthetics and Barriers for Russia
Midjourney remains the benchmark for artistic generation: rich light, bold color correction, and the recognizable "mj-look." According to official documentation, pricing starts at $10/month (Basic), Standard — $30, Pro — $60, Mega — $120; no free plan as of March 2023.
For users in Russia, direct access depends on the region, payment method, and account policy - see the current terms at midjourney.com. Vlex AI Midjourney is already included in the aggregator's model lineup; separate registration on the foreign website is not required to get started.
Verdict: Midjourney is chosen for style, not for cost. If the budget is limited and realism is desired, Flux is the first choice; if poster-like visuals are desired, MJ is justified.
When a free RU service is enough
- Personal blog, rare illustrations, up to several pictures a day.
- The prompts are predominantly in Russian, with no requirements for «Western» photorealism.
- There is no task to compare 3-4 models on one brief.
- The limits of Kandinsky / 70 frames of Masterpiece are satisfactory.
Recommendation: Record the date and version of the model in your notes—RU services are updated frequently, and old screenshots quickly become outdated.
FusionBrain and other Kandinsky-based API platforms deserve special mention: they cover development scenarios, but don't replace Midjourney's artistic appeal. If you don't code, the GigaChat or Shedevroom web interfaces are easier to get started with.
When is the Vlex AI aggregator needed?
The aggregator addresses the "one login, many models" scenario. Vlex AI positions itself as a Russian aggregator with FLUX 2 Pro, GPT Image 2, Midjourney, video, and text models. No separate API keys are required; a trial plan and 100+ prompt templates are available.
It makes sense if:
- you need to switch between FLUX 2 Pro and Midjourney on one project;
- the team pays from one account (credits/tokens);
- access to MJ without a separate foreign subscription is important;
- you want a single pipeline "template → prompt → generation".
Exact prices in rubles at the time of publication - TBD (Check vlex-ai.io for details). The estimated capacity for plans on the landing page is approximately 50–250 images, depending on the plan. We do not duplicate unverified figures from third-party catalogs.
Leonardo.ai and other Western platforms also offer Seedream, Nano Banana, and GPT-based image models—but for Russian users, the issue of access and payment once again puts aggregators with local billing at the forefront. The comparison isn't about "who's better in a vacuum," but about the combination of task, region, and budget.
Vlex offers 24/7 support, which is a plus for teams with deadlines compared to separate accounts. Authorization is via Google or Facebook; the interface's dark mode can be toggled with a single click. When choosing a plan, focus on your actual weekly generation volume, not the maximum figures from your landing page.
Conclusion and what to try
There's no universal "best" neural network. Kandinsky and Shedevroom are for a free start in Russian. FLUX 2 Pro is for realism. Midjourney is for art. Aggregator is for when you need all three worlds without a ton of accounts.
Before signing up for a paid subscription to any service, save 5-10 successful prompts from the free trial—this way, your comparison of plans will be concrete, not theoretical.
Register for Vlex AI, Take a trial plan and run one prompt through FLUX 2 Pro and Midjourney—the difference will become clear in five minutes. A detailed guide for beginners is in the article. How to generate images using a neural network.
Materials on the website
See also: The best neural networks for image generation, Flux, Kandinsky, Masterpiece, Midjourney equivalent in Russia, neural network aggregator.
Frequently asked questions
Which neural network is best for photorealism?
FLUX 2 Pro is the most popular choice: stable textures, predictable proportions, and good lighting. Midjourney also manages realism, but tends to lean more toward stylization.
What free neural network for images is available in Russia?
Kandinsky via GigaChat and Shedevroom (YandexART) with a limit of 70 generations per day on the website. Terms are subject to change—check the official service pages.
Can I use Midjourney from Russia without separate registration?
The Midjourney model is available through the Vlex AI aggregator in the general interface. Direct subscription to midjourney.com depends on the region and payment method—see the service's official documentation.
FLUX 2 Pro or Midjourney for advertising banners?
For product and "clean" banners, use Flux. For emotional posters and campaigns with a strong visual character, use Midjourney. Test both on the same brief.
When is Kandinsky not suitable?
When you need Flux-level photorealism, Midjourney style, or simultaneous access to several Western models in a single window.
Do you need an aggregator if you already have Masterroom?
If 70 images a day is enough and YandexART's style suits you, no. If you need Flux, MJ, and unified billing, the aggregator saves time switching services.
Where can I find Vlex AI rates?
On the official vlex-ai.io website, in the pricing section. Please check the current prices in rubles there—we don't publish unconfirmed prices.
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