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

GLM-Image vs Seedream 5.0 Lite

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 5.0 Lite · Newest: Seedream 5.0 Lite · 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 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 imageSeedream 5.0 LiteGLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) — blind human votes
  • NewestSeedream 5.0 LiteGLM-Image Jan 14, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsGLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes · Seedream 5.0 Lite yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsSame reachGLM-Image: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Lite: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GLM-Image vs Seedream 5.0 Lite specifications side by side
SpecificationGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)Seedream 5.0 LiteByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,294 ±3#32 of 61 · 494,805 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.035/image 2K
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions—2K
Highest resolution—2K
Largest image—2K (about 4 MP)
Images per request—Up to 4
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images—14
Access
WeightsOpenMITProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedJan 14, 2026Feb 13, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GLM-Image or Seedream 5.0 Lite?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Lite (GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39)). 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?

Seedream 5.0 Lite costs from $0.035/image (2K). GLM-Image has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between GLM-Image and Seedream 5.0 Lite?

GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), 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?

GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026; Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes; Seedream 5.0 Lite yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

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