Z-Image Turbo Pricing & Cost
Z-Image Turbo is AetherWave's speed-optimized image generation model. 3 credits per image, sub-5-second generation. The right pick for rapid iteration, A/B test prompts, or any workflow where wall-clock latency matters more than peak quality.
This page breaks down the credit cost for Z-Image Turbo when called via the AetherWave MCP server from Claude Code, Cursor, Continue, or any MCP-aware agent. Credits map to USD at a fixed rate, so the cost is predictable.
Full cost breakdown
Flat 3 credits per image. Single output. The fastest image generation model on AetherWave, optimized for speed over peak fidelity.
Cost scenarios in USD
Here is what common workflows cost in USD at Z-Image Turbo's rate:
| Workflow | Credits | USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 generation | 3 cr | $0.01 |
| 10 generations | 30 cr | $0.15 |
| 100 generations | 300 cr | $1.50 |
| Studio sub fits | 566 generations/mo (1,700 cr) | - |
How Z-Image Turbo compares
vs qwen-image-t2i at 2 cr square: Z-Image Turbo at 3 cr is slightly pricier but faster. Pick Z-Image Turbo for speed-first workflows; Qwen for the absolute cheapest tier.
3 cr per image
Best for: fastest single-output image generation
qwen-image-t2i at 2 cr square
See the comparison above for when each one wins.
Run aetherwave_list_image_models from Claude Code to see the full live pricing across all models in one call. The MCP rubrics in each tool's description also route the agent automatically when a budget hint is in the prompt.
Where credits come from
You can fund your AetherWave account three ways:
- Free: Starter credits on signup plus up to 80 credits from one-time community quests (Discord, social shares, follow channels)
- Studio subscription: $9.99/mo for 1,700 credits monthly. Cancel any time.
- One-time bundles: starting at $4.99 for 500 credits, up to $79.99 for 9,000 credits. Bundle credits never expire.
Quick install
To run Z-Image Turbo from Claude Code, install the AetherWave MCP server with one command:
Get your free API key at your Profile page (Developer tab). The MCP exposes 31 tools total; aetherwave_generate_image is the one that gives the agent access to Z-Image Turbo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Z-Image Turbo cost per generation?
Flat 3 credits per image. Single output. The fastest image generation model on AetherWave, optimized for speed over peak fidelity.
How do AetherWave credits convert to USD?
Credits map to USD at a fixed rate, so Z-Image Turbo's 3 cr per image translates to the per-generation figures in the scenario table above. Credits come from a Studio subscription, one-time bundles, or starter credits + community quests on the free tier.
Is Z-Image Turbo worth the cost vs cheaper alternatives?
vs qwen-image-t2i at 2 cr square: Z-Image Turbo at 3 cr is slightly pricier but faster. Pick Z-Image Turbo for speed-first workflows; Qwen for the absolute cheapest tier. The right call depends on what matters most for your workflow: variation count, deterministic output, latency, or absolute quality ceiling.
Start running Z-Image Turbo
Free API key plus starter credits. One MCP install. First Z-Image Turbo generation in under five minutes.
Get Your Free API Key