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

Seedream 4.5 vs GLM-Image

Preferred for text to image: Seedream 4.5 · Newest: GLM-Image · Self-hosting: GLM-Image. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 4.5

    Released Dec 3, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,303
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Seedream 4.5

  2. Z.ai (Zhipu)

    GLM-Image

    Released Jan 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,012
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GLM-Image

  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 4.5Seedream 4.5 1,149 (#35) · GLM-Image 1,012 (#76) — blind human votes
  • NewestGLM-ImageSeedream 4.5 Dec 3, 2025 · GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsSeedream 4.5: Text prompts, Reference images · GLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Seedream 4.5 yes · GLM-Image yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsSame reachSeedream 4.5: 1 · GLM-Image: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Seedream 4.5 vs GLM-Image specifications side by side
SpecificationSeedream 4.5ByteDance SeedGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,149 ±3#35 of 82 · 318,120 votes (best)1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,303 ±2#27 of 61 · 1,361,328 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryOpenMIT
API hosts11
ReleasedDec 3, 2025Jan 14, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Seedream 4.5 or GLM-Image?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 4.5 (Seedream 4.5 1,149 (#35) · GLM-Image 1,012 (#76)). 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 Seedream 4.5 and GLM-Image?

Seedream 4.5 is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Dec 3, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Seedream 4.5 Dec 3, 2025; GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Seedream 4.5 yes; GLM-Image yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

Related comparisons