Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Seedream 5.0 Pro

Compare arena scores with documented retrieval dates, task-specific image pricing, and verified specifications. Text-to-image generation and image editing are never blended into an artificial overall score.

shared result series

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

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 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Attribute	GPT Image 2	Seedream 5.0 Pro
Provider	OpenAI	ByteDance
Released	April 2026	July 2026
Access	API, Web app	API, Web app
Lifecycle	No separate lifecycle notice	No separate lifecycle notice
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
Parameters	Not published	Not published
Maximum output	4K	2K
Arena configuration	High	No separate configuration named
Text-to-image price	$211 per 1,000 images	$90 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$211 per 1,000 images	$90 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

GPT Image 2Seedream 5.0 Pro

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

GPT Image 2$211

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90Lower price

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

GPT Image 2$211

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90Lower price

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 2Seedream 5.0 Pro

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

GPT Image 21,370 EloHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,282 Elo

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

GPT Image 21,258 EloNo clear arena lead

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,250 Elo

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

GPT Image 21,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,244.482 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,265.974 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.272 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,232.843 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,256.865 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,277.69 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,287.35 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,252.031 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,454.125 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.844 arena points

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

GPT Image 21,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,392.574 arena points

Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Benchmark	GPT Image 2	Seedream 5.0 Pro	Source
Text to Image Arena	1,370 EloHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 13,336 ratings	1,282 Elo Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 11,291 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena	1,258 EloNo clear arena lead Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,142 ratings	1,250 Elo Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±11, 3,353 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling	1,360.375 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings	1,244.482 arena points Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±12.4, 2,280 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Art	1,370.438 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings	1,265.974 arena points Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±10.13, 3,711 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon	1,396.031 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings	1,271.272 arena points Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.94, 9,462 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design	1,389.556 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings	1,232.843 arena points Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.55, 9,462 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Overall	1,380.469 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings	1,256.865 arena points Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±5.11, 26,510 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Photorealism	1,378.291 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings	1,277.69 arena points Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.63, 10,332 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits	1,428.866 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings	1,287.35 arena points Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9.48, 4,809 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering	1,424.046 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings	1,252.031 arena points Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.82, 8,809 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	1,454.125 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.67, 72,134 ratings	1,413.844 arena points Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6.39, 13,473 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall	1,462.727 arena pointsHigher arena score Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±3.94, 184,189 ratings	1,392.574 arena points Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±4.44, 71,266 ratings	ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16

Visual comparison

Sample images from documented runs

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro, Character and detail — Seedream 5.0 Pro

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. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:13 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, image SHA 256: 82f6e2369ab4fb6efb0ef48feeff0d14f1d6087c64c35113a983456f0f0879ac

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: db4ca97dc43effd578430b77f8ca559c7dd5cbe60e663ba9ecc2e89a33480b0d

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 06eb1919b5157094ba0ecf0ddcfb921ebbfc937c496cee7627f4717fdd4a7d90

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: b87da08d3dc323cc39777805d520115b9c2a5c2c546e4255f76350cfced21c93

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Seedream 5.0 Pro, Infographic — Seedream 5.0 Pro

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. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:14 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, image SHA 256: 6c15466e258e2b14a8e862959cb6a67b4f7a23896ea5d42c5a5618d848847711

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: ed741d3d120188b9286d3576e7dcd3ace9dd7792978d4d5426022f32ed7ca381

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 6378a9ed943b1c15141e5f0f7889734e6c1dd936829106b7673862af0dc0618b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Seedream 5.0 Pro, Product photography — Seedream 5.0 Pro

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, image SHA 256: 471c71b30618afb1a8a67ab8363308d67f99c65ef6740ca72417806d06d3c346

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 7b27ff2c9b64529a36bebf2d572c3448f26e68f3e9d1ac6a3f2b5ead8698f60f

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: fd964253baf8416825b563e8e84be2ed24f4f650f2f364ca15beb60541050585

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Seedream 5.0 Pro, Typography and layout — Seedream 5.0 Pro

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. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID openai/gpt-image-2, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:59 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, image SHA 256: 434cf9939b9be2a2c2711e13d027c9438c47038bb32229ceeaf405d2e89d2afc

GPT Image 2, request SHA 256: 473a774dfe9f9b7bb597e9e8b63af4e770b6bc4e7f8bc90682636db3516e7353

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 and Seedream 5.0 Pro with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

GPT Image 2 vs. Seedream 5.0 Pro

Change image model selection

General specifications and task-specific pricing

Shared arena benchmarks

Sample images from documented runs

Character and detail

Infographic

Product photography

Typography and layout

An Elo score is not a verdict on creativity

Related image model comparisons