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

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 [max]

Preferred for text to image: FLUX.2 [max] · Preferred for image editing: Seedream 5.0 Lite · Lowest entry price: Seedream 5.0 Lite. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. 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

  2. Black Forest Labs

    FLUX.2 [max]

    Released Dec 16, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,261
    • From$0.07/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove FLUX.2 [max]

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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 imageFLUX.2 [max]Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingSeedream 5.0 LiteSeedream 5.0 Lite 1,294 (#32) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,261 (#35) — blind human votes
  • Lowest entry priceSeedream 5.0 LiteSeedream 5.0 Lite from $0.035/image (2K) · FLUX.2 [max] from $0.07/image (1 MP)
  • NewestSeedream 5.0 LiteSeedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026 · FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025
  • Widest inputsSame inputsSeedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images · FLUX.2 [max]: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Lite yes · FLUX.2 [max] yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachSeedream 5.0 Lite: 1 · FLUX.2 [max]: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs FLUX.2 [max] specifications side by side
SpecificationSeedream 5.0 LiteByteDance SeedFLUX.2 [max]Black Forest Labs
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes1,161 ±4#28 of 82 · 123,144 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,294 ±3#32 of 61 · 494,805 votes (best)1,261 ±3#35 of 61 · 375,796 votes
Price
Starting price$0.035/image 2K (best)$0.07/image 1 MP
How it is billedPer imageBilled per megapixel.
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions2K—
Highest resolution2K—
Largest image2K (about 4 MP)—
Images per requestUp to 4 (best)Up to 1
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images14 (best)8
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedFeb 13, 2026Dec 16, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Seedream 5.0 Lite or FLUX.2 [max]?

For text to image, voters prefer FLUX.2 [max] (Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,161 (#28)). For image editing, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Lite (Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,294 (#32) · FLUX.2 [max] 1,261 (#35)). 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); FLUX.2 [max] costs from $0.07/image (1 MP). Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Seedream 5.0 Lite and FLUX.2 [max]?

Seedream 5.0 Lite is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Feb 13, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. FLUX.2 [max] is an image model from Black Forest Labs (Dec 16, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026; FLUX.2 [max] Dec 16, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Lite yes; FLUX.2 [max] 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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