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Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

FLUX.2 [max] vs Seedream 5.0 Lite

Preferred for text to image: FLUX.2 [max] · Preferred for image editing: Seedream 5.0 Lite · Lowest entry price: Seedream 5.0 Lite. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX.2 [max]

    Released Dec 16, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,261
    • From$0.07/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX.2 [max]

  2. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 5.0 Lite

    Released Feb 13, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,294
    • From$0.035/image
    • Max size2K
    Full specs Remove Seedream 5.0 Lite

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01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • Preferred for text to imageFLUX.2 [max]FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingSeedream 5.0 LiteFLUX.2 [max] 1,261 (#35) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,294 (#32) — blind human votes
  • Lowest entry priceSeedream 5.0 LiteFLUX.2 [max] from $0.07/image (1 MP) · Seedream 5.0 Lite from $0.035/image (2K)
  • NewestSeedream 5.0 LiteFLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025 · Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsFLUX.2 [max]: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: FLUX.2 [max] yes · Seedream 5.0 Lite yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachFLUX.2 [max]: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Lite: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

FLUX.2 [max] vs Seedream 5.0 Lite specifications side by side
SpecificationFLUX.2 [max]Black Forest LabsSeedream 5.0 LiteByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,161 ±4#28 of 82 · 123,144 votes (best)1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,261 ±3#35 of 61 · 375,796 votes1,294 ±3#32 of 61 · 494,805 votes (best)
Price
Starting price$0.07/image 1 MP$0.035/image 2K (best)
How it is billedBilled per megapixel.Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions—2K
Highest resolution—2K
Largest image—2K (about 4 MP)
Images per requestUp to 1Up to 4 (best)
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images814 (best)
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedDec 16, 2025Feb 13, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, FLUX.2 [max] or Seedream 5.0 Lite?

For text to image, voters prefer FLUX.2 [max] (FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39)). For image editing, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Lite (FLUX.2 [max] 1,261 (#35) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,294 (#32)). Arena scores come from blind, side-by-side human votes on the same prompts; when the gap is inside both models’ error margins we call it a tie. Test your own prompts before you commit.

Which is cheaper?

FLUX.2 [max] costs from $0.07/image (1 MP); Seedream 5.0 Lite costs from $0.035/image (2K). Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between FLUX.2 [max] and Seedream 5.0 Lite?

FLUX.2 [max] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Dec 16, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Seedream 5.0 Lite is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Feb 13, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025; Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: FLUX.2 [max] yes; Seedream 5.0 Lite yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.

04 — Keep comparing

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