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

GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Seedream 5.0 Pro

Preferred for text to image: GPT Image 2.5 Flare · Preferred for image editing: GPT Image 2.5 Flare · Newest: GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

OpenAI
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
Released Sep 8, 2026New
- Text to image
- Image editing
- Arena1,482
- From—
- Max size—
Full specs Remove GPT Image 2.5 Flare
ByteDance Seed
Seedream 5.0 Pro
Released Jul 11, 2026
- Text to image
- Image editing
- Arena1,390
- From$0.045/image
- Max size2K
Full specs Remove Seedream 5.0 Pro
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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 imageGPT Image 2.5 FlareGPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,401 (#2) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14) — blind human votes
Preferred for image editingGPT Image 2.5 FlareGPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,482 (#2) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13) — blind human votes
NewestGPT Image 2.5 FlareGPT Image 2.5 Flare Sep 8, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026
Widest inputsSame inputsGPT Image 2.5 Flare: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 5.0 Pro: Text prompts, Reference images
Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2.5 Flare yes · Seedream 5.0 Pro yes
Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
Most API hostsGPT Image 2.5 FlareGPT Image 2.5 Flare: 4 · Seedream 5.0 Pro: 1

02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT Image 2.5 Flare vs Seedream 5.0 Pro specifications side by side
Specification	GPT Image 2.5 FlareOpenAI	Seedream 5.0 ProByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better	1,401 ±5#2 of 82 · 39,218 votes (best)	1,250 ±4#14 of 82 · 105,824 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better	1,482 ±5#2 of 61 · 87,941 votes (best)	1,390 ±3#13 of 61 · 317,111 votes
Price
Starting price	—	$0.045/image 1K
Top price	—	$0.09/image 2K
How it is billed	Billed per token: $30 per million output image tokens.	Per image
Output
Produces	Images	Images
Resolutions	—	1K · 2K
Highest resolution	—	2K
Largest image	—	2K (about 4 MP)
Images per request	Up to 10 (best)	Up to 1
Inputs
Text prompts	Yes	Yes
Reference images (editing)	Yes	Yes
Max reference images	16 (best)	14
Access
Weights	Proprietary	Proprietary
API hosts	4 (best)	1
Released	Sep 8, 2026	Jul 11, 2026

03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT Image 2.5 Flare or Seedream 5.0 Pro?

For text to image, voters prefer GPT Image 2.5 Flare (GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,401 (#2) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14)). For image editing, voters prefer GPT Image 2.5 Flare (GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,482 (#2) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13)). 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 Pro costs from $0.045/image (1K), up to $0.09/image (2K). GPT Image 2.5 Flare 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 2.5 Flare and Seedream 5.0 Pro?

GPT Image 2.5 Flare is an image model from OpenAI (Sep 8, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Seedream 5.0 Pro is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Jul 11, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

GPT Image 2.5 Flare Sep 8, 2026; Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT Image 2.5 Flare yes; Seedream 5.0 Pro yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

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