Seedream 5.0 Provs.MAI-Image-2.6
Which one is better?
In our own test both are on par. In the arena, MAI-Image-2.6 leads. Seedream 5.0 Pro costs 2.3 times as much per image.
Test images
Same task, the first image of each. The task with the biggest difference is preselected.
Result for “Infographic”:Seedream 5.0 Pro 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
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 5.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:32 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039287, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 985a75b38642a9f0e5e0c0e0c67f1b7f67780d42bd2168fa24e9a7a7a94b0da6
Seedream 5.0 Pro image SHA 256: 06eb1919b5157094ba0ecf0ddcfb921ebbfc937c496cee7627f4717fdd4a7d90
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: d35364051eca0758b88795df477d282641f6ca6892e81b904352e3fd5489ae69
Infographic
Seedream 5.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:34 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039317, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:42 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: ed65cb4e6a51e2336f8b149ad4cbb16e020f07d527ad94362e719d2dcf91d94f
Seedream 5.0 Pro image SHA 256: bec4d5de9deed41729f7e7d93f77450e76ddd0f579b5f0c74244a25e0c03a224
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: cdc9c16cd554a18da292c721b142e5d78dd042fdde2539f797612bfd9cd674ef
Product photography
Seedream 5.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 1:29 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039292, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: c67fd71e91304458a2feef5c91efa8677260fab0c0099a29a2c52cb579f5b2f3
Seedream 5.0 Pro image SHA 256: fd38abd0e7bde742e8e859fbcbc76e4e96f443673445378a42364bc56382ac57
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: a66f522e0ff2012b95dc3bc123216de7807206c9e91dd7711cd78eb34a234beb
Typography and layout
Seedream 5.0 Pro: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, resolution 1K, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.045000, generated Aug 14, 2026, 2:05 PM. Source
MAI-Image-2.6: openrouter, aspect ratio 1:1, provider default resolution, received 1024x1024, n=1, seed=provider random, actual cost $0.039252, generated Nov 1, 2026, 8:41 AM. Source
Protocol gradually-image-comparison-v1. Prompt SHA 256: 2e012c3d14ee5dd02203a94f394ca80a5038cdebd6032b25a8b8a221f2255419
Seedream 5.0 Pro image SHA 256: 4e9693d5da3e445b69cc5da6f869caddb88ca5560f010556b168ac8e9aaa70b2
MAI-Image-2.6 image SHA 256: 48fa1551aee7dcd737179b5ae860d30562fbd234321b8d8ade334cb40291fb47
The numbers at a glance
Seedream 5.0 Pro
Rank 10 of 21
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 4 of 21
Seedream 5.0 Pro
Rank 6 of 108
MAI-Image-2.6
Rank 28 of 108
Seedream 5.0 Pro
expensive
MAI-Image-2.6
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 5.0 Pro
- Subscription
- No ByteDance subscription includes this model. Through other providers from €6.83 a month (Poe Basic, with limited points). 38 plans in Germany.
- Via API
- $0.09 per image, 100 images $9.
MAI-Image-2.6
- Subscription
- n/a No plan in Germany names exactly this model.
- Via API
- $0.039 per image, 100 images $3.89.
Subscriptions only count plans that name exactly this model. Subscription prices include VAT, API prices are in dollars.
Arena rating (LMArena) from Nov 6, 2026 · 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 5.0 Pro | MAI-Image-2.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Arena ratingfrom votes by users, higher is better | 1,251 | 1,331 |
| Arena rank | Rank 10 of 21 | Rank 4 of 21 |
| Arena votesmore votes, a safer rating | 109,680 | 38,071 |
| GraduallyBenchour own rating, 0 to 100 | 76 | 68 |
| GraduallyBench by task | ||
| Typography and layoutLegible text, hierarchy, and composition | 68 | 62 |
| Product photographyMaterials, reflections, and fine details | 77 | 88 |
| Character and detailAnatomy, clothing, and spatial consistency | 60 | 63 |
| InfographicNumbers, labels, and visual organization | 99 | 61 |
| API price | ||
| Per imagelower is better | $0.09 | $0.039 |
| 100 images | $9 | $3.89 |
| Profile | ||
| Released | July 2026 | Jul 31, 2026 |
| Weightsopen means: runs locally | proprietary | proprietary |
| Lifecycle | no notice | Preview in Microsoft Foundry |
| Access | API, Web app | API |
| Parameters | not published | not published |
| Largest output | 2K | 2,359,296 pixels |
| Plans in Germanynaming exactly this model | 38 | n/a |
API prices for one image at 1,024 × 1,024 pixels according to Artificial Analysis.
Sources: Seedream 5.0 Pro model source (verified Aug 15, 2026) · MAI-Image-2.6 model source, status source (verified Sep 24, 2026)
Arena ratings by category
From blind votes on LMArena. “Ahead” means the lead is clear.
Artificial Analysis from Nov 6, 2026 · LMArena from Nov 6, 2026
All individual values with sources
| Rating | Seedream 5.0 Pro | MAI-Image-2.6 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text to Image Arena | 1,101 | 1,168 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing Arena | 1,129 | 1,149 | Artificial AnalysisRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: 3D modeling | 1,247 | 1,324 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Agentic image generation | 1,241 | 1,316 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Art | 1,259 | 1,338 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Cartoon | 1,264 | 1,349 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Commercial design | 1,236 | 1,333 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Overall | 1,251 | 1,331 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Photorealism | 1,274 | 1,331 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Portraits | 1,287 | 1,342 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Text to Image: Text rendering | 1,255 | 1,366 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Agentic image generation | 1,409 | 1,418 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
| Image Editing: Overall | 1,391 | 1,426 | LMArenaRetrieved Nov 6, 2026 |
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