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

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 5.0 Pro · Preferred for image editing: Seedream 5.0 Pro · Newest: Qwen-Image 2.1. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image 2.1

    Released Sep 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,362
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image 2.1

  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 imageSeedream 5.0 ProQwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingSeedream 5.0 ProQwen-Image 2.1 1,362 (#20) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13) — blind human votes
  • NewestQwen-Image 2.1Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsQwen-Image 2.1: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 5.0 Pro: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes · Seedream 5.0 Pro yes
  • Self-hostingQwen-Image 2.1Downloadable weights (qwen-research)
  • Most API hostsSame reachQwen-Image 2.1: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Pro: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image 2.1 vs Seedream 5.0 Pro specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-Image 2.1Alibaba (Qwen)Seedream 5.0 ProByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,225 ±6#19 of 82 · 19,604 votes1,250 ±4#14 of 82 · 105,824 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,362 ±6#20 of 61 · 39,412 votes1,390 ±3#13 of 61 · 317,111 votes (best)
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
WeightsOpenqwen-researchProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedSep 14, 2026Jul 11, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image 2.1 or Seedream 5.0 Pro?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Pro (Qwen-Image 2.1 1,225 (#19) · Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14)). For image editing, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Pro (Qwen-Image 2.1 1,362 (#20) · 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). Qwen-Image 2.1 has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Qwen-Image 2.1 and Seedream 5.0 Pro?

Qwen-Image 2.1 is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Sep 14, 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?

Qwen-Image 2.1 Sep 14, 2026; Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image 2.1 yes; Seedream 5.0 Pro yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

Qwen-Image 2.1. Downloadable weights (qwen-research).

04 — Keep comparing

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