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

GPT Image 1 Mini vs Seedream 4.0

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 4.0 · Preferred for image editing: Seedream 4.0 · Newest: GPT Image 1 Mini. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. OpenAI

    GPT Image 1 Mini

    Released Sep 26, 2025Deprecated

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,124
    • From$0.033/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 1 Mini

  2. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 4.0

    Released Sep 9, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,267
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Seedream 4.0

  3. Add a model

    Make it a three-way comparison.

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 4.0GPT Image 1 Mini 1,109 (#54) · Seedream 4.0 1,139 (#40) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingSeedream 4.0GPT Image 1 Mini 1,124 (#58) · Seedream 4.0 1,267 (#34) — blind human votes
  • NewestGPT Image 1 MiniGPT Image 1 Mini Sep 26, 2025 · Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsGPT Image 1 Mini: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 4.0: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 Mini yes · Seedream 4.0 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachGPT Image 1 Mini: 1 · Seedream 4.0: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 1 Mini vs Seedream 4.0 specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT Image 1 MiniOpenAISeedream 4.0ByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,109 ±3#54 of 82 · 170,993 votes1,139 ±7#40 of 82 · 12,563 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,124 ±3#58 of 61 · 682,755 votes1,267 ±7#34 of 61 · 210,031 votes (best)
Price
Starting price$0.033/image 1024×1024—
How it is billedMeasured cost of one square image at default settings.—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Images per requestUp to 10—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images16—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API model IDgpt-image-1-mini—
API hosts11
ReleasedSep 26, 2025Sep 9, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 1 Mini or Seedream 4.0?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 4.0 (GPT Image 1 Mini 1,109 (#54) · Seedream 4.0 1,139 (#40)). For image editing, voters prefer Seedream 4.0 (GPT Image 1 Mini 1,124 (#58) · Seedream 4.0 1,267 (#34)). 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?

GPT Image 1 Mini costs from $0.033/image (1024×1024). Seedream 4.0 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between GPT Image 1 Mini and Seedream 4.0?

GPT Image 1 Mini is an image model from OpenAI (Sep 26, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Seedream 4.0 is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Sep 9, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

GPT Image 1 Mini Sep 26, 2025; Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 1 Mini yes; Seedream 4.0 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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