Head-to-head comparison

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs. FLUX.2 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: 16
shared sample prompts: 4
latest arena retrieval: 2026-08-26

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 Pro
Attribute	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Pro
Provider	ByteDance	Black Forest Labs
Released	July 2026	November 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	Pro
Text-to-image price	$90 per 1,000 images	$30 per 1,000 images
Editing price	$90 per 1,000 images	$45 per 1,000 images
Technical source	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15	Model sourceVerified 2026-08-15

Seedream 5.0 ProFLUX.2 Pro

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

FLUX.2 Pro$30

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro$90

FLUX.2 Pro$45

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Prompt adherence and specialist tests

Shared capability benchmarks

Every matchup includes the same four Gradually sample tasks. For each task, one archived first output from every model is 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 Pro

Gradually sample test: Typography and layoutMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Seedream 5.0 Pro40.7 / 100

FLUX.2 Pro50.6 / 100

Gradually sample test: Product photographyMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Seedream 5.0 Pro74.1 / 100

FLUX.2 Pro43.2 / 100

Gradually sample test: Character and detailMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Seedream 5.0 Pro58 / 100

FLUX.2 Pro70.4 / 100

Gradually sample test: InfographicMean of three blind ranks across all 28 first outputs, n = 1 each

Seedream 5.0 Pro97.5 / 100

FLUX.2 Pro24.7 / 100

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Capability benchmark scores for Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Pro
Benchmark	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Pro
Gradually sample test: Typography and layout	40.7 / 100 Mean rank: 17 (13 / 20 / 18) 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 score50.6 / 100 Mean rank: 14.33 (11 / 22 / 10) Five rubric scores Headline: 1.67 / 2 Subline: 1.67 / 2 Text control: 1.67 / 2 Visual brief: 1 / 2 Layout: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Product photography	Higher blind-rank score74.1 / 100 Mean rank: 8 (6 / 7 / 11) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2	43.2 / 100 Mean rank: 16.33 (13 / 22 / 14) Five rubric scores Subject: 1.33 / 2 Time: 1.33 / 2 Watch details: 1.33 / 2 Photography: 1.33 / 2 Exclusions: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Character and detail	58 / 100 Mean rank: 12.33 (17 / 11 / 9) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1 / 2 Props: 1 / 2 Environment: 1 / 2	Higher blind-rank score70.4 / 100 Mean rank: 9 (13 / 1 / 13) Five rubric scores Scene: 1.33 / 2 Wardrobe: 1.33 / 2 Anatomy: 1.33 / 2 Props: 1.33 / 2 Environment: 1.33 / 2
Gradually sample test: Infographic	Higher blind-rank score97.5 / 100 Mean rank: 1.67 (1 / 3 / 1) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1.67 / 2 Labels: 1.67 / 2 Diagram: 1.67 / 2 Clarity: 1.67 / 2	24.7 / 100 Mean rank: 21.33 (20 / 23 / 21) Five rubric scores Title: 1.67 / 2 Sequence: 1 / 2 Labels: 0.67 / 2 Diagram: 0.67 / 2 Clarity: 1 / 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 Pro

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,280 Elo

FLUX.2 Pro1,208 Elo

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,248 Elo

FLUX.2 Pro1,170 Elo

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,244.482

FLUX.2 Pro1,149.387

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,265.974

FLUX.2 Pro1,163.048

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,271.272

FLUX.2 Pro1,161.019

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,232.843

FLUX.2 Pro1,156.46

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,256.865

FLUX.2 Pro1,154.786

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,277.69

FLUX.2 Pro1,151.499

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,287.35

FLUX.2 Pro1,146.513

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,252.031

FLUX.2 Pro1,156.451

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,413.844

FLUX.2 Pro1,238.237

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

Seedream 5.0 Pro1,394.014

FLUX.2 Pro1,244.295

Key to the marks:better valuebetter, but not conclusivetie

Arena benchmark scores for Seedream 5.0 Pro and FLUX.2 Pro
Benchmark	Seedream 5.0 Pro	FLUX.2 Pro	Source
Text to Image Arena	Higher score1,280 Elo Rank 11, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 12,099 ratings	1,208 Elo Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±9, 8,915 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
Image Editing Arena	Higher score1,248 Elo Rank 9, 95% confidence interval: ±10, 3,838 ratings	1,170 Elo Rank 33, 95% confidence interval: ±7, 11,529 ratings	Artificial AnalysisRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: 3D modeling	Higher score1,244.482 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±12.4, 2,280 ratings	1,149.387 Rank 28, 95% confidence interval: ±6.29, 17,241 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Art	Higher score1,265.974 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±10.13, 3,711 ratings	1,163.048 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±5.76, 25,069 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Cartoon	Higher score1,271.272 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.94, 9,462 ratings	1,161.019 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±4.57, 66,010 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Commercial design	Higher score1,232.843 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.55, 9,462 ratings	1,156.46 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±4.31, 64,392 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Overall	Higher score1,256.865 Rank 7, 95% confidence interval: ±5.11, 26,510 ratings	1,154.786 Rank 26, 95% confidence interval: ±3.06, 175,196 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Photorealism	Higher score1,277.69 Rank 5, 95% confidence interval: ±7.63, 10,332 ratings	1,151.499 Rank 30, 95% confidence interval: ±4.29, 74,515 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Portraits	Higher score1,287.35 Rank 4, 95% confidence interval: ±9.48, 4,809 ratings	1,146.513 Rank 31, 95% confidence interval: ±5.23, 39,262 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Text to Image: Text rendering	Higher score1,252.031 Rank 12, 95% confidence interval: ±7.82, 8,809 ratings	1,156.451 Rank 27, 95% confidence interval: ±4.5, 59,326 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Multi-image editing	Higher score1,413.844 Rank 2, 95% confidence interval: ±6.39, 13,473 ratings	1,238.237 Rank 20, 95% confidence interval: ±3.8, 171,464 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
LMArena Image Editing: Overall	Higher score1,394.014 Rank 6, 95% confidence interval: ±3.86, 102,314 ratings	1,244.295 Rank 30, 95% confidence interval: ±2.8, 497,149 ratings	LMArenaRetrieved 2026-08-26
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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:30 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 Pro, image SHA 256: 9eec1a6900b6031703d2e797b93c2aba6c5f45b4807b560a0bf1e37eac9e20f2

FLUX.2 Pro, request SHA 256: 8c40a10f47e1407d26ab10f5c9d815e533bce798cf0adf5a9c1e6ddfc3f3584e

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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:31 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 Pro, image SHA 256: ea47f772cdfa26bf21528ae7e09d245eb7a3be7d3185af15cedd7d21acdfbb09

FLUX.2 Pro, request SHA 256: 9ef85d9cf32f0f9b974eeb0b389c1fbf1403f4e266af0ce98e0ca83da0fe23c1

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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 12:30 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 Pro, image SHA 256: 4d9b922f59b329c5ac3532222c8e340e7fdcb1920ce6f03ad9299f25a6beec43

FLUX.2 Pro, request SHA 256: 96c65fc91b32da0a02970457fbf90c6928e1f7a5b45177fa3ef08f8bc32c9b82

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 Pro. Provider Together, 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, provider default steps, model ID black-forest-labs/FLUX.2-pro, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:02 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 Pro, image SHA 256: 5a5d8ccd657d7522bc39fdec4b0aecf198b42c282a5aefde9461239dfe5c0396

FLUX.2 Pro, request SHA 256: 3e170f568fe4b6040423f0df065d9227f586d5da3d911a4251bcc368dfe333c0

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 Pro with other important image models using the same benchmark and sample methodology.

View the complete image model comparison

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs. FLUX.2 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