AI image model comparison

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 Max

Side by side comparison of Seedream 5.0 Lite and FLUX.2 Max on image quality, cost per image, editing features, and more.

Seedream 5.0 Lite is an image generation model from ByteDance Seed.

Per image
$0.035
Output / 1M
$8.38
Image Elo
Not available

FLUX.2 [max] is the new top-tier image model from Black Forest Labs, pushing image quality, prompt understanding, and editing consistency to the highest level yet.

Per image
$0.07
Output / 1M
$17.09
Image Elo
Not available

Comparing chat or coding models? Compare text models

At a glance

Quick verdict

Which model wins on the things that matter most when you're making images.

Cheaper per image

bytedance-seed logo

Seedream 5.0 Lite

$0.035 vs $0.07, 2.0x cheaper

Better image quality

Not available

Not enough arena data

Better at editing

Not available

Not enough arena data

Newer release

bytedance-seed logo

Seedream 5.0 Lite

Released August 13, 2026

Pricing

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 Max price per image

What each image actually costs, plus the underlying API rates. Cheaper option highlighted.

Metricbytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Liteblack-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max
Cost per imageEstimated, ~1 megapixel (1024×1024)$0.035$0.07
Image outputPer 1M image tokens$8.38$17.09
Tokens per imageHow many image tokens one ~1MP image uses4,1754,096
Prompt textPer 1M input tokensIncludedIncluded

What it costs in practice

Estimated totals at standard resolution.

Single image

1 image

bytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Lite$0.035
black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max$0.07

Social media batch

50 images

bytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Lite$1.75
black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max$3.50

Product catalog

1,000 images

bytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Lite$35
black-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max$70

Specs

Inputs, outputs, and limits

What each model accepts, what it gives back, and how long your prompt can be.

Metricbytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Liteblack-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max
AcceptsImage, TextImage, Text
ProducesImageImage
Max prompt lengthText plus reference imagesNot available tokens47K tokens
Reasoning stepNoNo
Release dateAugust 13, 2026December 16, 2025

Features

Supported features

Creative controls available for each model.

Metricbytedance-seed logoSeedream 5.0 Liteblack-forest-labs logoFLUX.2 Max
Image editingAccepts reference or source imagesSupportedSupported
Text alongside imagesCan explain or caption what it madeNot supportedNot supported
Thinks before drawingPlans the image with a reasoning stepNot supportedNot supported
Reproducible seedsSame seed, same imageNot supportedSupported
Temperature controlTrade consistency for varietySupportedNot supported

Our take

Seedream 5.0 Lite is 2.0x 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 Lite or FLUX.2 Max cheaper?

Seedream 5.0 Lite is cheaper at about $0.035 per standard image, compared with $0.07 for FLUX.2 Max. For 1,000 images that is $35 versus $70.

Can Seedream 5.0 Lite and FLUX.2 Max 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 Lite and FLUX.2 Max at the same time?

Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to multiple image models at once, so you can see Seedream 5.0 Lite and FLUX.2 Max results side by side and keep the one you like.

bytedance-seed logoblack-forest-labs logo

Why choose? Generate with both.

Send one prompt to Seedream 5.0 Lite and FLUX.2 Max at the same time. See both images side by side and keep the one you like.