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Head-to-head comparison

GPT Image 2 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
2026-08-26

Change image model selection

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
AttributeGPT Image 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
ProviderOpenAIByteDance
ReleasedApril 2026July 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleNo separate lifecycle noticeNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K2K
Arena configurationHighNo 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 sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model 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 ProLower price$90
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
GPT Image 2$211
Seedream 5.0 ProLower price$90

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is 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 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 235.8 / 100
Seedream 5.0 ProHigher blind-rank score40.7 / 100
Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 2Higher blind-rank score95.1 / 100
Seedream 5.0 Pro74.1 / 100
Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 2Higher blind-rank score76.6 / 100
Seedream 5.0 Pro58 / 100
Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each
GPT Image 276.6 / 100
Seedream 5.0 ProHigher blind-rank score97.5 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout
35.8 / 100
Mean rank: 18.33 (22 / 11 / 22)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1 / 2
Layout: 1.33 / 2
Higher blind-rank score40.7 / 100
Mean rank: 17 (13 / 20 / 18)
Five rubric scores
Headline: 1.67 / 2
Subline: 1.67 / 2
Text control: 1.67 / 2
Visual brief: 1.33 / 2
Layout: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography
Higher blind-rank score95.1 / 100
Mean rank: 2.33 (3 / 3 / 1)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
74.1 / 100
Mean rank: 8 (6 / 7 / 11)
Five rubric scores
Subject: 1.33 / 2
Time: 1.33 / 2
Watch details: 1.33 / 2
Photography: 1.33 / 2
Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail
Higher blind-rank score76.6 / 100
Mean rank: 7.33 (12 / 9 / 1)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1.33 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
58 / 100
Mean rank: 12.33 (17 / 11 / 9)
Five rubric scores
Scene: 1.33 / 2
Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2
Anatomy: 1 / 2
Props: 1 / 2
Environment: 1 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic
76.6 / 100
Mean rank: 7.33 (10 / 5 / 7)
Five rubric scores
Title: 1.67 / 2
Sequence: 1.67 / 2
Labels: 1.67 / 2
Diagram: 1.33 / 2
Clarity: 1.67 / 2
Higher blind-rank score97.5 / 100
Mean rank: 1.67 (1 / 3 / 1)
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 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,371 Elo
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,280 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2No clear lead1,257 Elo
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,248 Elo
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,360.375
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,244.482
LMArena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,370.438
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,265.974
LMArena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,396.031
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.272
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,389.556
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,232.843
LMArena Text to Image: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,380.469
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,256.865
LMArena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,378.291
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,277.69
LMArena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,428.866
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,287.35
LMArena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,424.046
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,252.031
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,454.125
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.844
LMArena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
GPT Image 2Higher score1,462.796
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,394.014

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for GPT Image 2 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
BenchmarkGPT Image 2Seedream 5.0 ProSource
Text to Image Arena
Higher score1,371 Elo
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 14,328 ratings
1,280 Elo
Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 12,099 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena
No clear lead1,257 Elo
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±6, 18,356 ratings
1,248 Elo
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 3,838 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling
Higher score1,360.375
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±9.77, 6,635 ratings
1,244.482
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±12.4, 2,280 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art
Higher score1,370.438
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.48, 8,762 ratings
1,265.974
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±10.13, 3,711 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon
Higher score1,396.031
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.88, 28,210 ratings
1,271.272
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.94, 9,462 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design
Higher score1,389.556
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.61, 27,138 ratings
1,232.843
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.55, 9,462 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall
Higher score1,380.469
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.62, 69,194 ratings
1,256.865
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±5.11, 26,510 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism
Higher score1,378.291
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 26,719 ratings
1,277.69
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.63, 10,332 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits
Higher score1,428.866
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±8.77, 13,521 ratings
1,287.35
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9.48, 4,809 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering
Higher score1,424.046
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±7.09, 26,226 ratings
1,252.031
Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.82, 8,809 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing
Higher score1,454.125
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±4.67, 72,134 ratings
1,413.844
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6.39, 13,473 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Overall
Higher score1,462.796
Rank 1, 95% confidence interval: ±3.69, 199,275 ratings
1,394.014
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±3.86, 102,314 ratings
LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro, Character and detail
GPT Image 2, Character and detail
GPT Image 2
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
GPT Image 2, Infographic
GPT Image 2
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
GPT Image 2, Product photography
GPT Image 2
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.

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, 1:29 PM. Source

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
GPT Image 2, Typography and layout
GPT Image 2
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

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View the complete image model comparison