Is Nano Banana 2 free?

Yes — it's the default image model across the Gemini app's free and paid plans, and also powers Search AI Mode, Lens and Flow. API usage via the Gemini API / Vertex AI is paid, at roughly half the price of Nano Banana Pro.

Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro — what's the difference?

Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is the fast, cheap default. Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) is the studio-grade tier with a 'thinking' mode for complex 4K compositions. For most everyday work, 2 is the better value.

How do I access it via API?

Through the Gemini API and Vertex AI, and via aggregators like fal.ai and kie.ai. The model name is gemini-3.1-flash-image.

Nano Banana 2: specs, access and what it's best at

Updated July 22, 2026

ReleasedNano Banana 2 (officially Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is Google DeepMind's default image model across the Gemini app, Search AI Mode, Lens and Flow. It debuted at #1 in text-to-image on the Artificial Analysis Image Arena at roughly half the API price of Nano Banana Pro.

Google's fast, free default — the best all-round image model for everyday work.

Google's paper-craft announcement art for Nano Banana 2, generated by the model. — Official Google announcement art — made with Nano Banana 2 · source

At a glance

	Nano Banana 2
Developer	Google DeepMind
Released	Feb 26, 2026
Model ID	gemini-3.1-flash-image
Max resolution	Up to 4K
Speed	~4–6s (Pro-level output)
Access	Gemini app, AI Studio, Vertex AI, fal, kie
Pricing	~Half the API price of Nano Banana Pro

What it is

Built on Gemini 3, Nano Banana 2 applies reasoning to a prompt before generating, and grounds facts with real-time web search. It handles native editing — add, remove or restyle elements — at up to 4K, and is free to the public as the Gemini app default.

A faster, cheaper Lite variant (Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite Image) followed on June 30, 2026 and sits in the arena top five.

What it's best at

Speed and balance. It gives Pro-level results in roughly 4–6 seconds, which makes it the pick for social media, e-commerce and high-volume automated pipelines. Rather than winning one narrow category, it's the most complete everyday toolkit — hence the 'best overall' slot in our rankings.

What it costs, per channel

Every channel bills Nano Banana 2in its own unit. These are their published rates, all reduced to one 1024×1024 image and re-checked daily; the row renders empty until the next sweep covers this model.

Frequently asked questions

Is Nano Banana 2 free?: Yes — it's the default image model across the Gemini app's free and paid plans, and also powers Search AI Mode, Lens and Flow. API usage via the Gemini API / Vertex AI is paid, at roughly half the price of Nano Banana Pro.
Nano Banana 2 vs Nano Banana Pro — what's the difference?: Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is the fast, cheap default. Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) is the studio-grade tier with a 'thinking' mode for complex 4K compositions. For most everyday work, 2 is the better value.
How do I access it via API?: Through the Gemini API and Vertex AI, and via aggregators like fal.ai and kie.ai. The model name is gemini-3.1-flash-image.