Two anion exchange membranes with different cations are prepared based on poly(benzimidazole imide). Regarding the similar main chain for both membranes, the performance of imidazolium cations in Q-PBII 1 and quaternary ammonium salts in Q-PBII 2 is compared by various parameters including anion conductivity, chemical stability, cell performance, and mechanical properties. Q-PBII 1 exhibits higher stiffness (in both dry and wet form) while Q-PBII 2 shows higher elongation and better flexibility (in both dry and wet form). Despite approximately similar IEC values for both membranes, Q-PBII 2 exhibits higher water uptake (71%) and anion conductivity at 80 degrees C (69 mS.cm(-1)) than Q-PBII 1. Also, Q-PBII2 shows better single-cell performance (46 mW.cm(-2) at a current density of 143.8 mA.cm(-2)). Investigation of long-time stability reveals that Q-PBII 1 is more stable than Q-PBII 2. The Q-PBII 1 shows less than 5% weight loss after 11 days while this value for Q-PBII 2 is about 28% after 11 days (in 2 M NaOH).