APIs & Models
Cubby Image only provides access to official models offered through Replicate, fal.ai, and Gemini (Google Cloud Platform). Official models have higher availability, are actively maintained, and come with predictable pricing, making them more reliable compared to unofficial alternatives.
Please review the terms of service of the API provider(s) as well as the models you plan on using. We make no warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy, availability, or results of these models. You are responsible for reviewing and complying with the Terms of Service of each provider. Cubby Image is not liable for any damages or losses arising from use of these models.
Replicate
API Provider Website: https://replicate.com
Legal:
Available Models
Image Generation (6 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana | View Model | |
| Seedream 4.0 | ByteDance | View Model |
| Flux Kontext Pro | Black Forest Labs | View Model |
| Flux Kontext Max | Black Forest Labs | View Model |
| QWEN Image Edit | Alibaba | View Model |
| Reve Edit | Reve AI | View Model |
Upscaling (5 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Topaz Labs | Topaz Labs | View Model |
| Real-ESRGAN | Tencent ARC | View Model |
| Recraft Crisp | Recraft | View Model |
| Clarity | ClarityAI | View Model |
| Crystal | ClarityAI | View Model |
Background Removal (5 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| BG Remover | 851-labs | View Model |
| RMBG 2.0 | Bria AI | View Model |
| BiRefNet v2 | ZhengPeng7 | View Model |
| lucataco BG Removal | lucataco | View Model |
| Recraft BG Removal | Recraft | View Model |
Pricing
Replicate uses pay-per-use pricing. Costs vary by model. Check each model's page for current pricing.
fal.ai
API Provider Website: https://fal.ai
Legal:
Available Models
Image Generation (6 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana | View Model | |
| Seedream 4.0 | ByteDance | View Model |
| Flux Kontext Pro | Black Forest Labs | View Model |
| Flux Kontext Max | Black Forest Labs | View Model |
| QWEN Image Edit | Alibaba | View Model |
| Reve Edit | Reve AI | View Model |
Upscaling (5 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Topaz Labs | Topaz Labs | View Model |
| Real-ESRGAN | Tencent ARC | View Model |
| Recraft Crisp | Recraft | View Model |
| Clarity | ClarityAI | View Model |
| Crystal | ClarityAI | View Model |
Background Removal (2 models)
| Model | Company | Link |
|---|---|---|
| RMBG 2.0 | Bria AI | View Model |
| BiRefNet v2 | ZhengPeng7 | View Model |
Pricing
fal.ai uses pay-per-use pricing. Costs vary by model. Check each model's page for current pricing.
Gemini (Google Cloud)
API Provider Website: https://ai.google.dev
Legal:
Available Models
| Model | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana / Gemini 2.5 Flash Image | Image Generation | View Documentation |
Gemini (Google Cloud) only offers access to Gemini Flash 2.5 Image (also known as Nano Banana). Other models are not available through this provider.
Pricing
Gemini uses Google Cloud pricing. Check the Gemini API pricing page for current rates.
Model Comparison
Image Generation Models
| Model | Speed | Quality | Best For | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana | ⚡⚡⚡ Fast | Good | Quick iterations, testing | Simple |
| Seedream 4.0 | ⚡ Slower | Excellent | Final artwork, detailed scenes | Complex |
| Flux Kontext Pro | ⚡⚡ Medium | Very Good | Context-aware generation | Advanced |
| Flux Kontext Max | ⚡ Slower | Excellent | Maximum quality with context | Advanced |
| QWEN Image Edit | ⚡⚡ Medium | Very Good | Image editing and modifications | Moderate |
| Reve Edit | ⚡⚡ Medium | Very Good | High-quality generation | Moderate |
Upscaling Models
| Model | Best For | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Topaz Labs | Professional-grade upscaling | Slower (highest quality) |
| Real-ESRGAN | Real-world image restoration | Medium |
| Recraft Crisp | Sharp, detailed upscaling | Medium |
| Clarity | Enhanced image clarity | Medium |
| Crystal | Crystal-clear premium results | Medium |
Background Removal Models
| Model | Best For | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| BG Remover | Fast, precise removal | Fast |
| RMBG 2.0 | Professional results | Medium |
| BiRefNet v2 | Accurate refinement | Medium |
| lucataco BG Removal | Efficient removal | Fast |
| Recraft BG Removal | Designer-focused | Medium |
Choosing the Right Model
For Quick Iterations
Use: Nano Banana
- Fastest generation times
- Lower cost per image
- Great for testing prompts and concepts
For Final Artwork
Use: Seedream 4.0 or Flux Kontext Max
- Highest quality output
- Better detail and coherence
- Worth the extra time and cost
For Context-Aware Generation
Use: Flux Kontext Pro or Flux Kontext Max
- Advanced understanding of context images
- Better composition control
- Ideal when using reference images
For Image Editing
Use: QWEN Image Edit or Reve Edit
- Specialized for modifications
- Better at maintaining original image structure
- Great for inpainting and edits
For Upscaling
Use: Topaz Labs (professional) or Real-ESRGAN (general purpose)
- Industry-leading quality
- Multiple upscaling options available
- Excellent detail preservation
For Background Removal
Use: RMBG 2.0 or BiRefNet v2
- Professional background removal
- AI-powered precision
- Fast processing times
Provider Comparison
Replicate
Pros:
- Widest model selection
- Established platform with good reliability
- Detailed model documentation
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than fal.ai for some models
- Occasional high demand periods may cause delays
fal.ai
Pros:
- Fast inference times
- Competitive pricing
- Modern API and dashboard
Cons:
- Newer platform (less established)
- Smaller community compared to Replicate
Gemini API
Pros:
- Google infrastructure (reliable)
- Good pricing for Nano Banana
- Simple billing through Google Cloud
Cons:
- Only one model available (Nano Banana)
- Requires Google Cloud account setup
API Costs & Billing
Are Image Generations Free?
No. Image generations run through cloud APIs such as Replicate, fal.ai, and Gemini, which involve costs. To use them, you'll need to:
- Create an account with your preferred API provider
- Set up billing with that provider
- Generate an API key
- Add the key to Cubby Image
How Billing Works
- Pay-per-use: You only pay for what you generate
- Direct billing: Costs are billed directly by the API provider (not through Cubby Image)
- No hidden fees: Cubby Image does not add any markup or fees
- Variable costs: Different models have different costs
Estimating Costs
Typical cost ranges (check provider pricing for exact amounts):
- Nano Banana: $0.001 - $0.01 per image
- Seedream 4.0: $0.02 - $0.05 per image
- Flux Kontext: $0.02 - $0.08 per image
- Upscaling Models: $0.01 - $0.10 depending on model and scale factor
- Background Removal: $0.001 - $0.02 per image
- Start with Nano Banana for testing and iteration
- Use higher-quality models only for final outputs
- Generate fewer variants (1-2 instead of 4) during testing
- Monitor your API provider dashboard for usage
Legal & Compliance
Your Responsibilities
When using Cubby Image and these API providers, you are responsible for:
- Reading and complying with each provider's Terms of Service
- Understanding each model's license and usage restrictions
- Ensuring your use case is permitted under the terms
- Managing your own API billing and usage
- Complying with applicable laws regarding AI-generated content
Third-Party Services
Cubby Image acts as a client to third-party APIs. We:
- ✅ Facilitate access to these services
- ✅ Store your API keys securely and locally
- ✅ Send your prompts and images only to your chosen provider
- ❌ Do not control model availability, pricing, or results
- ❌ Are not liable for provider service interruptions
- ❌ Do not guarantee any specific model performance
Content Rights
Generated images may have different licensing depending on:
- The model used
- The API provider's terms
- Your account type with the provider
Always review the specific model's license terms before using generated images commercially.