AI image model comparison
Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Seedream 5.0 Lite
Image quality, cost per image, and editing features compared side by side. Or skip the guesswork and generate with both.
ByteDance Seed
Seedream 5.0 Flash
Seedream 5.0 Flash is an image generation and editing model from ByteDance Seed.
- Per image
- $0.018
- Output / 1M
- $4.31
- Image Elo
- Not available
ByteDance Seed
Seedream 5.0 Lite
Seedream 5.0 Lite is an image generation model from ByteDance Seed.
- Per image
- $0.035
- Output / 1M
- $8.38
- Image Elo
- Not available
At a glance
Quick verdict
Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.
Cheaper per image
Seedream 5.0 Flash
$0.018 vs $0.035, 1.9x cheaper
Better image quality
Not available
Not enough arena data
Better at editing
Not available
Not enough arena data
Newer release
Seedream 5.0 Flash
Released October 1, 2026
Pricing
Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Seedream 5.0 Lite price per image
What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024) | $0.018 | $0.035 |
| Image outputPer 1M image tokens | $4.31 | $8.38 |
| Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses | 4,175 | 4,175 |
| Prompt textPer 1M input tokens | Included | Included |
What it costs in practice
Estimated totals at standard resolution.
Single image
1 image
Social media batch
50 images
Product catalog
1,000 images
Specs
Inputs, outputs, and limits
What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Accepts | Image, Text | Image, Text |
| Produces | Image | Image |
| Max prompt lengthText plus reference images | Not available tokens | Not available tokens |
| Reasoning step | No | No |
| Release date | October 1, 2026 | August 13, 2026 |
Features
Supported features
Creative controls available for each model.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Image editingAccepts reference or source images | Supported | Supported |
| Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it made | Not supported | Not supported |
| Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning step | Not supported | Not supported |
| Reproducible seedsSame seed, same image | Not supported | Not supported |
| Temperature controlTrade consistency for variety | Supported | Supported |
Keep exploring
More on these models
Other head-to-heads, the full model page, and the alternatives list for each model.
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Nano Banana 2
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Seedream 4.5
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Nano Banana
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Muse Image
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Ming Image 0.1 Design
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Seedream 5.0 Pro
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs FLUX.2 Pro
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Grok Imagine Image 2.0
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs FLUX.2 Klein 4B
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Recraft V4.1 Flash
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Qwen Image 3
- Seedream 5.0 Flash vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Nano Banana 2
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Seedream 4.5
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Nano Banana
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Muse Image
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Seedream 5.0 Pro
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 Pro
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Grok Imagine Image 2.0
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 Klein 4B
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Recraft V4.1 Flash
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.3 Image
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Grok Imagine Image Quality
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Qwen Image 3
- Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Riverflow V2.5 Pro
Our take
Seedream 5.0 Flash is 1.9x cheaper per image. The right pick depends on your workload, so the quickest way to settle it is to send the same prompt to both and compare.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Seedream 5.0 Flash or Seedream 5.0 Lite cheaper?
Seedream 5.0 Flash is cheaper at about $0.018 per standard image, compared with $0.035 for Seedream 5.0 Lite. For 1,000 images that is $18 versus $35.
Can Seedream 5.0 Flash and Seedream 5.0 Lite edit existing images?
Yes. Both accept reference images, so you can upload a photo and ask for changes like a new background, different lighting, or added text.
Can I use Seedream 5.0 Flash and Seedream 5.0 Lite at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Seedream 5.0 Flash and Seedream 5.0 Lite results side by side and keep the one you like.
Why choose? Generate with both.
Send one prompt to Seedream 5.0 Flash and Seedream 5.0 Lite at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.