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Head-to-head comparison

Nano Banana 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.

12

shared result series

4

shared sample prompts

2026-08-16

latest arena retrieval

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 Nano Banana 2 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
AttributeNano Banana 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
ProviderGoogleByteDance
ReleasedFebruary 2026July 2026
AccessAPI, Web appAPI, Web app
LifecycleStable API since May 28, 2026. The arena entry names the earlier preview configuration Status sourceNo separate lifecycle notice
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
ParametersNot publishedNot published
Maximum output4K2K
Arena configurationGemini 3.1 Flash Image PreviewNo separate configuration named
Text-to-image price$67 per 1,000 images$90 per 1,000 images
Editing price$67 per 1,000 images$90 per 1,000 images
Technical sourceModel sourceVerified 2026-08-15Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15
Nano Banana 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2$67Lower price
Seedream 5.0 Pro$90
Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels
Nano Banana 2$67Lower price
Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

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
Nano Banana 2Seedream 5.0 Pro
Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,323 EloHigher arena score
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,282 Elo
Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,249 Elo
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,250 EloNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: 3D modelingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,258.705 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,244.482 arena points
Arena Text to Image: ArtBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,250.508 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,265.974 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: CartoonBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,266.735 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.272 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: Commercial designBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,272.164 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
Nano Banana 21,263.056 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,256.865 arena points
Arena Text to Image: PhotorealismBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,269.812 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,277.69 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Arena Text to Image: PortraitsBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,266.805 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,287.35 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Text to Image: Text renderingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,294.784 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
Nano Banana 21,364.764 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.844 arena pointsHigher arena score
Arena Image Editing: OverallBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better
Nano Banana 21,385.051 arena points
Seedream 5.0 Pro1,392.574 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Arena benchmark scores for Nano Banana 2 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
BenchmarkNano Banana 2Seedream 5.0 ProSource
Text to Image Arena
1,323 EloHigher arena score
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 14,767 ratings
1,282 Elo
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 11,291 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Image Editing Arena
1,249 Elo
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 12,506 ratings
1,250 EloNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±11, 3,353 ratings
Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-15
Arena Text to Image: 3D modeling
1,258.705 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 3, 95% confidence interval: ±11.62, 2,907 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
1,250.508 arena points
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.92, 4,154 ratings
1,265.974 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±10.13, 3,711 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Cartoon
1,266.735 arena points
Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.6, 10,445 ratings
1,271.272 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.94, 9,462 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Commercial design
1,272.164 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±7.4, 10,316 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
1,263.056 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±5.24, 27,910 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
1,269.812 arena points
Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.28, 11,229 ratings
1,277.69 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.63, 10,332 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Portraits
1,266.805 arena points
Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±9.15, 5,554 ratings
1,287.35 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9.48, 4,809 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Text to Image: Text rendering
1,294.784 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.73, 9,489 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
1,364.764 arena points
Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±4.86, 37,577 ratings
1,413.844 arena pointsHigher arena score
Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6.39, 13,473 ratings
ArenaRetrieved 2026-08-16
Arena Image Editing: Overall
1,385.051 arena points
Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±4.07, 102,657 ratings
1,392.574 arena pointsNo clear arena lead
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

Nano Banana 2, Character and detail
Nano Banana 2
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.

Nano Banana 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:15 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

Nano Banana 2, image SHA 256: 5d3a70ed3fe3328484725565d9c91fb25fc7f745bd66872dae432444493a83de

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 406e70dda817fa504900359d5c374ebb06fc8ea29f34c8a15f630e9a10489aec

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 06eb1919b5157094ba0ecf0ddcfb921ebbfc937c496cee7627f4717fdd4a7d90

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: b87da08d3dc323cc39777805d520115b9c2a5c2c546e4255f76350cfced21c93

Infographic

Numbers, labels, and visual organization

Nano Banana 2, Infographic
Nano Banana 2
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.

Nano Banana 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:15 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

Nano Banana 2, image SHA 256: 66123dd4e8cd5d22ecdca9cca8e4c5853a8046370aa4861ffee807a8c122c769

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 10e973caab6f314ec731d9d377b19f5d51f279e9e2962133c49682bfbba3fe3d

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 6378a9ed943b1c15141e5f0f7889734e6c1dd936829106b7673862af0dc0618b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

Nano Banana 2, Product photography
Nano Banana 2
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.

Nano Banana 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:15 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

Nano Banana 2, image SHA 256: 509871921c450f6f07ec28f91a380992db1b3017108fd5928fe0aa9670a1ecdc

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 631ce921c9772c7c2109900c8662471564a871def8e70f50ce29ce83ab71daab

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: fd964253baf8416825b563e8e84be2ed24f4f650f2f364ca15beb60541050585

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

Nano Banana 2, Typography and layout
Nano Banana 2
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.

Nano Banana 2. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID google/flash-image-3.1, 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

Nano Banana 2, image SHA 256: 06ae79c07d1604d3da3bbfa80bac73ac15c88af5cb8c013faaf5c9ea93092305

Nano Banana 2, request SHA 256: 6f1909c093d741b97bc2b4fe76e889009776dbe8635d2a14dbedd89bb4cae8fb

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.