Head-to-head comparison

Reve 2.1 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: 13
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-09-19

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 Reve 2.1 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Attribute	Reve 2.1	Seedream 5.0 Pro
Provider	Reve	ByteDance
Released	July 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	No separate configuration named	No separate configuration named
Text-to-image price	No arena entry	$90 per 1,000 images
Editing price	No arena entry	$90 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

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.

Reve 2.1Seedream 5.0 Pro

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

Reve 2.128.7 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro48.3 / 100

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

Reve 2.171.3 / 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

Reve 2.142.5 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro18.4 / 100

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

Reve 2.197.7 / 100

Seedream 5.0 Pro92 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Reve 2.1 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Benchmark	Reve 2.1	Seedream 5.0 Pro
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	28.7 / 100 Mean rank: 21.67 (24 / 19 / 22) 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 score71.3 / 100 Mean rank: 9.33 (9 / 9 / 10) 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 score42.5 / 100 Mean rank: 17.67 (12 / 19 / 22) 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 score97.7 / 100 Mean rank: 1.67 (2 / 1 / 2) 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.

9 shared result series

Reve 2.1Seedream 5.0 Pro

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

Reve 2.11,275.821

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,251.535

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

Reve 2.11,287.418

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,266.222

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

Reve 2.11,309.645

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.336

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

Reve 2.11,314.478

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,234.55

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

Reve 2.11,301.093

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,257.104

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

Reve 2.11,302.395

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,280.52

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

Reve 2.11,316.198

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,294.768

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

Reve 2.11,340.578

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,254.645

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

Reve 2.11,375.308

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,394.483

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Reve 2.1 and Seedream 5.0 Pro
Benchmark	Reve 2.1	Seedream 5.0 Pro	Source
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	No clear lead1,275.821 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±22.5, 683 ratings	1,251.535 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.34, 5,228 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art	No clear lead1,287.418 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±17.35, 1,101 ratings	1,266.222 Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±7.98, 9,013 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,309.645 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±11.34, 2,920 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 score1,314.478 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±11.6, 2,723 ratings	1,234.55 Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±6.49, 20,354 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,301.093 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±7.71, 7,573 ratings	1,257.104 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.32, 62,443 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,302.395 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±11.09, 3,027 ratings	1,280.52 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±6.51, 24,022 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	No clear lead1,316.198 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±15.55, 1,465 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 score1,340.578 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±12.24, 2,537 ratings	1,254.645 Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±6.65, 20,000 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	1,375.308 Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±6.2, 19,125 ratings	Higher score1,394.483 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

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.

Reve 2.1. Provider Manual import, Official Reve web app; Reve 2.1; chat creation; one request; 1:1 requested in prompt; first of two results; free plan; 2026-08-14; https://app.reve.com/model, source 4096x4096, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), model ID manual export, generated Aug 14, 2026, 4:23 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

Reve 2.1, image SHA 256: 29e9f7f38ed5c63dcfaab671a49fb9f4e9f82cd24b99134b87e1c22442822126

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Reve 2.1, image SHA 256: 30d157e85d75eb2ca1f71152d27f26d378ad8ea49b899d5f350ae0cda4e2bc59

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 6378a9ed943b1c15141e5f0f7889734e6c1dd936829106b7673862af0dc0618b

Product photography

Materials, reflections, and fine details

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

Reve 2.1, image SHA 256: 1f91c3cb481151fb5165194b4edea2a46e786ca80e4ec3bdd888e3ba0016c510

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: fd964253baf8416825b563e8e84be2ed24f4f650f2f364ca15beb60541050585

Typography and layout

Legible text, hierarchy, and composition

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.

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Reve 2.1, image SHA 256: 84bcd1680fd0ae861ec66c21ab8f4cd79738bd093eb87ffe7283d9842c37cb1d

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 Reve 2.1 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

Reve 2.1 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