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

Recraft V4 vs Seedream 5.0 Lite

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 5.0 Lite · Newest: Recraft V4 · Widest inputs: Seedream 5.0 Lite. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. Recraft

    Recraft V4

    Released Feb 17, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena1,115
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4

  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

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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 LiteRecraft V4 1,115 (#50) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V4Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026 · Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026
  • Widest inputsSeedream 5.0 LiteRecraft V4: Text prompts · Seedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingSeedream 5.0 LiteTakes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 no · Seedream 5.0 Lite yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachRecraft V4: 1 · Seedream 5.0 Lite: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Recraft V4 vs Seedream 5.0 Lite specifications side by side
SpecificationRecraft V4RecraftSeedream 5.0 LiteByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,115 ±3#50 of 82 · 149,367 votes1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes (best)
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 or Seedream 5.0 Lite?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Lite (Recraft V4 1,115 (#50) · Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39)). 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 Lite costs from $0.035/image (2K). Recraft V4 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 and Seedream 5.0 Lite?

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

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Recraft V4 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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