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

Recraft V4 Pro vs Seedream 5.0 Lite

Newest: Recraft V4 Pro · Widest inputs: Seedream 5.0 Lite · Image editing: Seedream 5.0 Lite. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Recraft

    Recraft V4 Pro

    Released Feb 17, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4 Pro

  2. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 5.0 Lite

    Released Feb 13, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,294
    • From$0.035/image
    • Max size2K
    Full specs Remove Seedream 5.0 Lite

  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.

  • NewestRecraft V4 ProRecraft V4 Pro Feb 17, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026
  • Widest inputsSeedream 5.0 LiteRecraft V4 Pro: Text prompts · Seedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingSeedream 5.0 LiteTakes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 Pro no · Seedream 5.0 Lite yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachRecraft V4 Pro: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Lite: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V4 Pro vs Seedream 5.0 Lite specifications side by side
SpecificationRecraft V4 ProRecraftSeedream 5.0 LiteByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,294 ±3#32 of 61 · 494,805 votes
Price
Starting price—$0.035/image 2K
How it is billed—Per image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions—2K
Highest resolution—2K
Largest image—2K (about 4 MP)
Images per request—Up to 4
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)NoYes
Max reference images—14
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedFeb 17, 2026Feb 13, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Recraft V4 Pro or Seedream 5.0 Lite?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

Which is cheaper?

Seedream 5.0 Lite costs from $0.035/image (2K). Recraft V4 Pro has no published per-image price. Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Recraft V4 Pro and Seedream 5.0 Lite?

Recraft V4 Pro is an image model from Recraft (Feb 17, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images. Seedream 5.0 Lite is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Feb 13, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Recraft V4 Pro Feb 17, 2026; Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 Pro no; Seedream 5.0 Lite 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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