Seedream 4.0vs.Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra
Which one is better?
In our own test, Seedream 4.0 leads. Neither is in the arena. Neither has an API price.
Same prompt, two images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Infographic”:Seedream 4.0 ahead
What the rating looks at: Numbers, labels, and visual organization.
“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.
Test protocol of the images
Both models receive the same archived prompt in 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. The images are a practical visual test, not a reconstruction of the arena configuration.
Character and detail
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra: manual, 1:1, one request, first output, one output observed, exact UI model Firefly Image 4 Ultra, provider-default random seed, native 2K square output, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square cinematic full-body portrait of a fictional bicycle courier waiting u 33523.jpg, source 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:42 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 81b5aa023fa252472878015448b5ee1cefcbc61844dd6cff98997685d7ab1511
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra image SHA 256: 6a981030438be43a369ba8440c0dbbe43576a83dadc4e61a48a3dce0abc1e69c
Infographic
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra: manual, 1:1, one request, first output, one output observed, exact UI model Firefly Image 4 Ultra, provider-default random seed, native 2K square output, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square German infographic titled SO FUNKTIONIERT PHOTOSYNTHESE. Show exactly 33523.jpg, source 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:42 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 63dcddf4bf7bb58ea0c67eea96f2c71834158568f29ed3b7f2523b56a91e6526
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra image SHA 256: 7a306acea26f85b98aaebf8e79efa9c878a68ae84617f7c3cf47339980ecbca8
Product photography
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra: manual, 1:1, one request, first output, one output observed, exact UI model Firefly Image 4 Ultra, provider-default random seed, native 2K square output, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square premium product photograph of a brushed titanium wristwatch standing 33523.jpg, source 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:42 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 1fbad61d03b05e6cd8523e76409983e86c11c74fca2fa1a14d20f07f0d801519
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra image SHA 256: 888b218766947c6a7f58e163f0f42dc660bd1110b7bf9bbb536881e486d8282c
Typography and layout
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra: manual, 1:1, one request, first output, one output observed, exact UI model Firefly Image 4 Ultra, provider-default random seed, native 2K square output, no reference images, no selected effects, default content settings, source UI file Firefly_Create a square editorial poster for an imaginary night train called MONDFALTER. Show 33523.jpg, source 2048x2048, stored 1024x1024 (Lanczos3 downscale), generated Nov 1, 2026, 9:42 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 029be40f71522352246ad0de0de2e6c1ed2e45608f59c4f0e1be87b4dc2353c1
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra image SHA 256: 8c05d93d71bf08caa02caa5b00463be262ab395ec2350ec26944460e34c0d98f
The numbers at a glance
Seedream 4.0
not in the arena
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra
not in the arena
Seedream 4.0
Rank 51 of 74
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra
Rank 69 of 74
Seedream 4.0
no API price
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra
no API price
Ranks among the 22 image models with an arena rating and the 74 with a GraduallyBench run; prices compared with 28 models with an API price.
Seedream 4.0
- Subscription
- No ByteDance subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 16 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: API, Web app.
Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- No API price known. Access: Web app.
- Weights
- unknown.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
GraduallyBench from Nov 1, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (34 days old)
All data side by side
The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.
| Kennzahl | Seedream 4.0 | Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | n/a | n/a |
| Arena rank | n/a | n/a |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | n/a | n/a |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 44 | 16 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 36 | 9 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 31 | 6 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 40 | 43 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 69 | 8 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | n/a | n/a |
| 100 images | n/a | n/a |
| Profile | ||
| Released | September 2025 | Apr 24, 2025 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | unknown |
| Access | API, Web app | Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 4K | not consistently published |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 16 | n/a |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: Seedream 4.0 model source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra model source (verified Nov 1, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
No shared arena score in the stored snapshot
The stored benchmark database contains no measurement for Seedream 4.0 and Adobe Firefly Image 4 Ultra from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
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