Seedream 4.0vs.Recraft V4.1 Utility
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. Neither is in the arena. Seedream 4.0 has no API price.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Typography and layout”:Recraft V4.1 Utility ahead
What the rating looks at: Legible text, hierarchy, and composition.
“Ahead”: better in all three rating rounds. “Slightly ahead”: a higher value, but not in every round.
Test protocol of the images
Each test attempt uses the same archived prompt and one request. The first output of that attempt counts. Repeats after technical test failures are disclosed for the affected images. 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
Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:37 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 81b5aa023fa252472878015448b5ee1cefcbc61844dd6cff98997685d7ab1511
Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: d2ba0b86ed4214659720cdcf68ff09ca748700a32afc3d25808b6a3af74223f2
Infographic
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:25 PM. Source
Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:38 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 63dcddf4bf7bb58ea0c67eea96f2c71834158568f29ed3b7f2523b56a91e6526
Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 7d383a257e5152b2781a6e5a78edd54fe55900dfb2580f85078f8142b63194c5
Product photography
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source
Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:37 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 1fbad61d03b05e6cd8523e76409983e86c11c74fca2fa1a14d20f07f0d801519
Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 7fd9cfe67371d0fecc6d605105ca777bec170d4d4e8dcad5b4f15f813e21c1ab
Typography and layout
Seedream 4.0: together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:01 PM. Source
Recraft V4.1 Utility: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default 1K resolution, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.035000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
Seedream 4.0 image SHA 256: 029be40f71522352246ad0de0de2e6c1ed2e45608f59c4f0e1be87b4dc2353c1
Recraft V4.1 Utility image SHA 256: 3aa0bc86cccfd2140ba4f5606f1f814a5a6ded23cb06b7aebe26f8dcf946a752
The numbers at a glance
Seedream 4.0
not in the arena
Recraft V4.1 Utility
not in the arena
Seedream 4.0
Rank 47 of 108
Recraft V4.1 Utility
Rank 41 of 108
Seedream 4.0
no API price
Recraft V4.1 Utility
fairly cheap
Ranks among the 21 image models with an arena rating and the 108 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.
Recraft V4.1 Utility
- Subscription
- Free to use at Recraft (Recraft Free, with limited credits), more from ≈ €12.72 a month (Recraft Basic, with limited credits). 4 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.035 per image, 100 images $3.50.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
GraduallyBench from Nov 3, 2026 · API prices from Nov 6, 2026 · Subscription database from Sep 29, 2026 (38 days old)
All data side by side
The better value is bold. For ratings only when the gap is clear.
| Kennzahl | Seedream 4.0 | Recraft V4.1 Utility |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 62 | 65 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 65 | 96 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 44 | 32 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 73 | 66 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 67 | 64 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | n/a | $0.035 |
| 100 images | n/a | $3.50 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | September 2025 | May 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Access | API, Web app | API, Web app |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 4K | 1 Megapixel |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 16 | 4 |
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) · Recraft V4.1 Utility model source (verified Aug 15, 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 Recraft V4.1 Utility from the same arena and category. Older model versions are not used as substitutes.
More comparisons
Compare Seedream 4.0 and Recraft V4.1 Utility with the models people compare them with most often.