Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) vs Codex (OpenAI)
Which one should you pick? Here's the full breakdown.
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash Image model -- the best-in-class text-in-image renderer, now the default across the Gemini app
Codex (OpenAI)
OpenAI's cloud-based coding agent -- runs parallel tasks, proposes PRs, and lives inside ChatGPT
Powered by GPT-5.3-Codex / GPT-5.4
| Category | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) | Codex (OpenAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 9.5 | 8.0 |
| Output Quality | 9.5 | 8.0 |
| Value | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Features | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Overall | 8.9 | 8.3 |
Pricing Comparison
| Feature | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) | Codex (OpenAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starting Price | $0 | $0 |
Benchmark Head-to-Head
GPT-5.3-Codex benchmarks — Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has no published benchmarks
| Benchmark | Description | Score |
|---|---|---|
| SWE-bench | Real GitHub issue fixing | 72% |
| HumanEval | Python code generation | 95% |
Which Should You Pick?
Pick Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) if...
- ✓Higher output quality (9.5 vs 8)
- ✓Easier to use (9.5 vs 8)
Designers, marketers, and content creators who need readable text in images (social posts, ad creative, book covers, infographics, event flyers) and who are already using or willing to pay for Gemini. If any part of your commercial design work requires typography to look right, Nano Banana 2 is the 2026 leader.
Visit Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)Pick Codex (OpenAI) if...
- ✓More features (9 vs 8)
Developers already paying for ChatGPT Plus who want a coding agent at no extra cost. Especially good for parallel task execution -- assign multiple bug fixes or feature branches and let Codex work them simultaneously.
Visit Codex (OpenAI)Our Verdict
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) edges out Codex (OpenAI) with a 8.9 vs 8.3 overall score. Both are solid picks, but Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has the advantage in output quality.