The best open-source image generation model

This post introduces and reviews several leading open-source image generation models (FLUX.1, Stable Diffusion 3, SDXL Lightning, Playground 2.5), detailing their strengths, weaknesses, and licensing considerations. It highlights how these models can be deployed via Baseten's platform and discusses strategies for building complex image generation pipelines using tools like ComfyUI and ControlNet, emphasizing the control and customization offered by open-source solutions compared to proprietary alternatives.