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

GLM-Image vs Seedream 4.5

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 4.5 · Newest: GLM-Image · Self-hosting: GLM-Image. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Z.ai (Zhipu)

    GLM-Image

    Released Jan 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,012
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GLM-Image

  2. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 4.5

    Released Dec 3, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,303
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Seedream 4.5

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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 imageSeedream 4.5GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · Seedream 4.5 1,149 (#35) — blind human votes
  • NewestGLM-ImageGLM-Image Jan 14, 2026 · Seedream 4.5 Dec 3, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsGLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 4.5: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes · Seedream 4.5 yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsSame reachGLM-Image: 1 · Seedream 4.5: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GLM-Image vs Seedream 4.5 specifications side by side
SpecificationGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)Seedream 4.5ByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes1,149 ±3#35 of 82 · 318,120 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,303 ±2#27 of 61 · 1,361,328 votes
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsOpenMITProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedJan 14, 2026Dec 3, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GLM-Image or Seedream 4.5?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 4.5 (GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · Seedream 4.5 1,149 (#35)). 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.

What is the difference between GLM-Image and Seedream 4.5?

GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Seedream 4.5 is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Dec 3, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026; Seedream 4.5 Dec 3, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes; Seedream 4.5 yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

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