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

MAI-Image-2.6 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro

Preferred for text to image: MAI-Image-2.6 · Preferred for image editing: MAI-Image-2.6 · Newest: MAI-Image-2.6. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Microsoft

    MAI-Image-2.6

    Released Oct 13, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,427
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove MAI-Image-2.6

  2. 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

  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 imageMAI-Image-2.6MAI-Image-2.6 1,329 (#4) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingMAI-Image-2.6MAI-Image-2.6 1,427 (#6) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13) — blind human votes
  • NewestMAI-Image-2.6MAI-Image-2.6 Oct 13, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsMAI-Image-2.6: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 5.0 Pro: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: MAI-Image-2.6 yes · Seedream 5.0 Pro yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachMAI-Image-2.6: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Pro: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

MAI-Image-2.6 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro specifications side by side
SpecificationMAI-Image-2.6MicrosoftSeedream 5.0 ProByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,329 ±5#4 of 82 · 34,596 votes (best)1,250 ±4#14 of 82 · 105,824 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,427 ±5#6 of 61 · 76,933 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—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions—1K · 2K
Highest resolution—2K
Largest image—2K (about 4 MP)
Images per request—Up to 1
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images—14
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedOct 13, 2026Jul 11, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, MAI-Image-2.6 or Seedream 5.0 Pro?

For text to image, voters prefer MAI-Image-2.6 (MAI-Image-2.6 1,329 (#4) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14)). For image editing, voters prefer MAI-Image-2.6 (MAI-Image-2.6 1,427 (#6) · 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). MAI-Image-2.6 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between MAI-Image-2.6 and Seedream 5.0 Pro?

MAI-Image-2.6 is an image model from Microsoft (Oct 13, 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?

MAI-Image-2.6 Oct 13, 2026; Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: MAI-Image-2.6 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.

04 — Keep comparing

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