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

Qwen-Image Edit vs Seedream 4.0

Preferred for image editing: Seedream 4.0 · Newest: Seedream 4.0 · Self-hosting: No open weights. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image Edit

    Released Aug 19, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,241
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image Edit

  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 image editingSeedream 4.0Qwen-Image Edit 1,241 (#39) · Seedream 4.0 1,267 (#34) — blind human votes
  • NewestSeedream 4.0Qwen-Image Edit Aug 19, 2025 · Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsQwen-Image Edit: Text prompts, Reference images · Seedream 4.0: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image Edit yes · Seedream 4.0 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachQwen-Image Edit: 1 · Seedream 4.0: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image Edit vs Seedream 4.0 specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-Image EditAlibaba (Qwen)Seedream 4.0ByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,139 ±7#40 of 82 · 12,563 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,241 ±3#39 of 61 · 2,021,753 votes1,267 ±7#34 of 61 · 210,031 votes (best)
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedAug 19, 2025Sep 9, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image Edit or Seedream 4.0?

For image editing, voters prefer Seedream 4.0 (Qwen-Image Edit 1,241 (#39) · 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.

What is the difference between Qwen-Image Edit and Seedream 4.0?

Qwen-Image Edit is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Aug 19, 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?

Qwen-Image Edit Aug 19, 2025; Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image Edit 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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