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

Qwen-Image vs Seedream 4.0

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

  1. Alibaba (Qwen)

    Qwen-Image

    Released Aug 7, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,057
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Qwen-Image

  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 4.0Qwen-Image 1,057 (#66) · Seedream 4.0 1,139 (#40) — blind human votes
  • NewestSeedream 4.0Qwen-Image Aug 7, 2025 · Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025
  • Widest inputsSeedream 4.0Qwen-Image: Text prompts · Seedream 4.0: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingSeedream 4.0Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image no · Seedream 4.0 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachQwen-Image: 1 · Seedream 4.0: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Qwen-Image vs Seedream 4.0 specifications side by side
SpecificationQwen-ImageAlibaba (Qwen)Seedream 4.0ByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,057 ±3#66 of 82 · 84,534 votes1,139 ±7#40 of 82 · 12,563 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,267 ±7#34 of 61 · 210,031 votes
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedAug 7, 2025Sep 9, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Qwen-Image or Seedream 4.0?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 4.0 (Qwen-Image 1,057 (#66) · Seedream 4.0 1,139 (#40)). 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 and Seedream 4.0?

Qwen-Image is an image model from Alibaba (Qwen) (Aug 7, 2025), taking text prompts 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 Aug 7, 2025; Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Qwen-Image no; 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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