Head-to-head comparison

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs. FLUX.2 Max

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: 2026-09-22

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 Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Max
Attribute	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Max
Provider	ByteDance	Black Forest Labs
Released	July 2026	December 2025
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	2K	4 Megapixel
Arena configuration	No separate configuration named	Max
Text-to-image price	$90 per 1,000 images	$70 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$90 per 1,000 images	$140 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-09-24

Seedream 5.0 ProFLUX.2 Max

Text to Image ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

FLUX.2 Max$70

Image Editing ArenaUSD per 1,000 images at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

FLUX.2 Max$140

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

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.

Seedream 5.0 ProFLUX.2 Max

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro48.3 / 100

FLUX.2 Max66.7 / 100

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro70.1 / 100

FLUX.2 Max56.3 / 100

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro18.4 / 100

FLUX.2 Max71.3 / 100

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro92 / 100

FLUX.2 Max28.7 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Max
Benchmark	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Max
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	48.3 / 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	Higher blind-rank score66.7 / 100 Mean rank: 10.67 (16 / 11 / 5) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1.67 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score70.1 / 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	56.3 / 100 Mean rank: 13.67 (15 / 14 / 12) 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	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	Higher blind-rank score71.3 / 100 Mean rank: 9.33 (4 / 15 / 9) 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 score92 / 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	28.7 / 100 Mean rank: 21.67 (23 / 17 / 25) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1 / 2 Diagram: 1 / 2 Clarity: 0.67 / 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

Seedream 5.0 ProFLUX.2 Max

Text to Image ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,078 Elo

FLUX.2 Max1,022 Elo

Image Editing ArenaBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,107 Elo

FLUX.2 Max997 Elo

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,251.535

FLUX.2 Max1,161.397

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,266.222

FLUX.2 Max1,169.986

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.336

FLUX.2 Max1,169.356

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,234.55

FLUX.2 Max1,164.737

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,257.104

FLUX.2 Max1,162.042

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,280.52

FLUX.2 Max1,160.996

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,294.768

FLUX.2 Max1,157.109

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,254.645

FLUX.2 Max1,167.242

LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editingBlind preference from the same prompt, higher is better

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.682

FLUX.2 Max1,250.292

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,394.483

FLUX.2 Max1,261.81

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Max
Benchmark	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Max	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,078 Elo Rank 15, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 12,712 ratings	1,022 Elo Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±8, 10,860 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,107 Elo Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 12,341 ratings	997 Elo Rank 45, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 5,139 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-09-22
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,251.535 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±9.34, 5,228 ratings	1,161.397 Rank 28, 95% confidence interval: ±7.37, 11,586 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,266.222 Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±7.98, 9,013 ratings	1,169.986 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±6.55, 16,551 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,271.336 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±6.62, 23,116 ratings	1,169.356 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±5.37, 42,883 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,234.55 Rank 16, 95% confidence interval: ±6.49, 20,354 ratings	1,164.737 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±5.04, 44,226 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,257.104 Rank 10, 95% confidence interval: ±4.32, 62,443 ratings	1,162.042 Rank 25, 95% confidence interval: ±3.55, 117,339 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,280.52 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±6.51, 24,022 ratings	1,160.996 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±4.96, 50,605 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,294.768 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±7.7, 12,341 ratings	1,157.109 Rank 30, 95% confidence interval: ±6.04, 26,736 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,254.645 Rank 14, 95% confidence interval: ±6.65, 20,000 ratings	1,167.242 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±5.28, 40,341 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,413.682 Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±4.66, 45,922 ratings	1,250.292 Rank 21, 95% confidence interval: ±4.31, 136,199 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-09-19
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,394.483 Rank 8, 95% confidence interval: ±3.59, 179,966 ratings	1,261.81 Rank 29, 95% confidence interval: ±3.2, 352,883 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.

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
FLUX.2 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 06eb1919b5157094ba0ecf0ddcfb921ebbfc937c496cee7627f4717fdd4a7d90

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: b87da08d3dc323cc39777805d520115b9c2a5c2c546e4255f76350cfced21c93

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: a0a2cef301582c47a8dca69ccd1c52212c37ca6c058d7185a880a7856713cd9e

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 0267e820f1d771485d5a0e44b93a6b996c2fb12f6547a199eb3c22d4cf8e21f3

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.

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
FLUX.2 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:24 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 6378a9ed943b1c15141e5f0f7889734e6c1dd936829106b7673862af0dc0618b

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: 9321457355d5a9630073632fb6441bf388da1c4ee8e5d58e58cd0603ce756a09

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 46911d2cf3eb49e0c0439477c802fc24910b2658b19d562a327af2e1b3f3faf1

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.

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
FLUX.2 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:23 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: fd964253baf8416825b563e8e84be2ed24f4f650f2f364ca15beb60541050585

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: dd6ad8d1ec45154727d9ddf573ef10da5225899820055318d23bcd4e5a1e930c

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 3c90a7839c60af903a8abb6d7b2b4af4df1320aabffcc84361491964161bcf9e

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.

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
FLUX.2 Max. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, steps=50, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-max, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:00 PM. Source

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

Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419

Seedream 5.0 Pro, image SHA 256: 4e9693d5da3e445b69cc5da6f869caddb88ca5560f010556b168ac8e9aaa70b2

Seedream 5.0 Pro, request SHA 256: 4158892e26a143eaab8c23a0c9d6897a7510af309ae06a2c234f6bbc41854e2c

FLUX.2 Max, image SHA 256: 3eb2daf01c749ee25d86c2e4f55d6d3d81cfb4590eb0343f9a4bb3d0a70d19bc

FLUX.2 Max, request SHA 256: 10a63b4db9e0b1529ab3d891fdb504c5716d30aff6a5cc7bd0312790105eba22

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 Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Max 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

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs. FLUX.2 Max

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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