Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst vs. Seedream 5.0 Pro

Compare shared capability tests, arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Research benchmarks, preference arenas, and our n = 1 samples remain separate.

shared result series: 16
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-09-22

First image modelSecond image model

Specifications and cost

General specifications and task-specific pricing

A model can have one price for generating new images and another for editing. Prices therefore remain tied to the corresponding arena configuration.

Specifications and pricing for GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Attribute	GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst	Seedream 5.0 Pro
Provider	OpenAI	ByteDance
Released	September 8, 2026	July 2026
Access	API	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	3,840 × 2,160 pixels	2K
Arena configuration	Sunburst	No separate configuration named
Text-to-image price	$210.7 per 1,000 images	$90 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$210.7 per 1,000 images	$90 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-09-24	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

GPT Image 2.5 SunburstSeedream 5.0 Pro

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst$210.7

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst$210.7

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Both checkpoints completed the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, 30 archived first outputs are ranked in three differently ordered, model-blind passes. The published 0-100 value normalizes the mean rank. It must still be read as an n = 1 sample per model. No exact shared result from the integrated research benchmarks is available for this pair.

GPT Image 2.5 SunburstSeedream 5.0 Pro

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst21.8 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro48.3 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst97.7 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro70.1 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst25.3 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro18.4 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 30 first outputs, n = 1 each

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst98.9 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro92 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Benchmark	GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst	Seedream 5.0 Pro
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	21.8 / 100 Mean rank: 23.67 (22 / 25 / 24) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.33 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2	Higher blind-rank score48.3 / 100 Mean rank: 16 (11 / 21 / 16) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.67 / 2 Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score97.7 / 100 Mean rank: 1.67 (2 / 1 / 2) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.67 / 2 Time: 1.67 / 2 Watch details: 1.67 / 2 Photography: 1.67 / 2 Exclusions: 1.67 / 2	70.1 / 100 Mean rank: 9.67 (10 / 13 / 6) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.67 / 2 Time: 1.67 / 2 Watch details: 1.67 / 2 Photography: 1.67 / 2 Exclusions: 1.67 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	Higher blind-rank score25.3 / 100 Mean rank: 22.67 (26 / 26 / 16) Five rubric scores Scene: 1 / 2 Wardrobe: 1 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2	18.4 / 100 Mean rank: 24.67 (27 / 28 / 19) Five rubric scores Scene: 1 / 2 Wardrobe: 1 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score98.9 / 100 Mean rank: 1.33 (1 / 2 / 1) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1.67 / 2	92 / 100 Mean rank: 3.33 (3 / 3 / 4) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1.67 / 2
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Independent preference tests

Shared arena benchmarks

Artificial Analysis and Arena derive scores from blind comparisons. Raters see outputs for the same prompt and choose the image they prefer. Separate series cover text rendering, photorealism, portraits, art, commercial design, and image editing. Confidence intervals indicate how certain a measured lead is.

12 shared result series

GPT Image 2.5 SunburstSeedream 5.0 Pro

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,197 Elo

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,078 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,180 Elo

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,107 Elo

LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,404.714

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,251.535

LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,390.12

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,266.222

LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,439.841

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.336

LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,418.818

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,234.55

LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,420.715

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,257.104

LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,423.225

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,280.52

LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,450.124

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,294.768

LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,481.069

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,254.645

LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,535.121

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.682

LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst1,520.443

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,394.483

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Benchmark	GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst	Seedream 5.0 Pro	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,197 Elo Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 13,401 ratings	1,078 Elo Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 12,712 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,180 Elo Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 16,958 ratings	1,107 Elo Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 12,341 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,404.714 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±41.7, 273 ratings	1,251.535 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.34, 5,228 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,390.12 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±31.11, 406 ratings	1,266.222 Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±7.98, 9,013 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,439.841 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±20.54, 1,198 ratings	1,271.336 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 23,116 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,418.818 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±20.95, 1,104 ratings	1,234.55 Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±6.49, 20,354 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,420.715 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±13.08, 3,149 ratings	1,257.104 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.32, 62,443 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,423.225 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±20.32, 1,168 ratings	1,280.52 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±6.51, 24,022 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,450.124 Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±31.56, 509 ratings	1,294.768 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.7, 12,341 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,481.069 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±22.66, 1,125 ratings	1,254.645 Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±6.65, 20,000 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,535.121 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.09, 6,150 ratings	1,413.682 Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±4.66, 45,922 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,520.443 Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.21, 6,704 ratings	1,394.483 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±3.59, 179,966 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Visual comparison

Sample images

Our images complement preference data, but do not replace it. The prompt, request count, and selection rule match. Provider resolution, quality tier, randomness, and prompt processing remain visible limitations, so this is not a fully controlled laboratory test.

Largely standardized comparison protocol. Both models receive the same archived prompt, exactly one request, and the first result counts. Files are normalized to 1,024 × 1,024 pixels without cropping. Provider resolution, randomness, quality tier, and prompt processing can still differ. These images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.

Character and detail

Anatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, Character and detail

Prompt and settings

Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting under a transparent umbrella at a rainy tram stop in Hamburg at blue hour. She wears a mustard raincoat, navy trousers, red sneakers, a silver helmet, and carries a teal messenger bag. Keep both hands visible, render the bicycle correctly, use realistic wet-street reflections, and include no readable brand names.

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-sunburst, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:51 PM. Source
Seedream 5.0 Pro. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, model ID bytedance-seed/seedream-5-0-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:32 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, image SHA 256: 2bcd5e2358dbf9e2f11336ebf6c4a4a15e0a9a10261dd74378d40985ac68ec6d

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, request SHA 256: fe156d4933f8a7af7d109e003d79ef3da6654c470fa167c69553d3265dd84ded

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 06eb1919b5157094ba0ecf0ddcfb921ebbfc937c496cee7627f4717fdd4a7d90

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: b87da08d3dc323cc39777805d520115b9c2a5c2c546e4255f76350cfced21c93

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Prompt and settings

Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly four numbered steps in this order: 1 LICHT, 2 WASSER, 3 CO₂, 4 ZUCKER + SAUERSTOFF. Use a clean editorial science style with one plant cross-section, simple arrows, high contrast, legible labels, and no other text.

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-sunburst, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:52 PM. Source
Seedream 5.0 Pro. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, model ID bytedance-seed/seedream-5-0-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, image SHA 256: 7dab94e5588be73aefe08f23f9d56ced4e2ddb2b29f754db41b057025cf34847

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, request SHA 256: b67e094e50474dd45f816d34ef9e0935a70b24829bc4fc60a4a24d563eba2977

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 6378a9ed943b1c15141e5f0f7889734e6c1dd936829106b7673862af0dc0618b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, Product photography

Prompt and settings

Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing upright on dark green marble. The watch has a cream dial, thin black hands set to 10:10, twelve distinct hour markers, a realistic crown, and a dark brown leather strap. Soft window light from the left, controlled reflections, shallow depth of field, no text, no logo, no extra objects.

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, image SHA 256: c648276704e06f7925f2325e8ffff0d9d0a9bd6c5bb4866785abac92ce97ff9a

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, request SHA 256: fa7b392f661da048749d5294aedea9e6c918a83cbe482cdc70a7f8df267bafec

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: fd964253baf8416825b563e8e84be2ed24f4f650f2f364ca15beb60541050585

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, Typography and layout

Prompt and settings

Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show the exact German headline MONDFALTER and the exact subline BERLIN NACH LISSABON. Use a restrained midnight-blue and warm-cream palette, one stylized moth, strong Swiss-grid typography, generous negative space, and no additional words or logos.

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst. Provider OpenAI, 1024x1024, quality high, n=1, model ID gpt-image-2.5-sunburst, generated Sep 28, 2026, 8:50 PM. Source
Seedream 5.0 Pro. Provider OpenRouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, model ID bytedance-seed/seedream-5-0-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source

Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1, selection rule: first result.

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, image SHA 256: fd6a3767ba8253869cb94d5346f025541dac924c2190df2c37b366b182986cf8

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst, request SHA 256: 6fb8eeab411c5e7b600849741e4fa8408361e00074dc89e91e67e9d9e898ef81

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 4e9693d5da3e445b69cc5da6f869caddb88ca5560f010556b168ac8e9aaa70b2

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 4158892e26a143eaab8c23a0c9d6897a7510af309ae06a2c234f6bbc41854e2c

How to read this comparison

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

A higher arena score means this specific configuration was preferred more often in blind comparisons.

Typography, character consistency, local execution, licensing, and price may matter more to your workload than overall visual appeal.

Prices cover 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels using settings documented by Artificial Analysis. Subscriptions and special rates are excluded.

More matchups

Compare GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Seedream 5.0 Pro with other important image models under the same evidence rules. Each page shows only exact shared measurements and samples.

View the complete image model comparison

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst vs. Seedream 5.0 Pro

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared capability benchmarks

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons