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

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Recraft V4

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. 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. Recraft

    Recraft V4

    Released Feb 17, 2026

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

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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 LiteSeedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) · Recraft V4 1,115 (#50) — blind human votes
  • NewestRecraft V4Seedream 5.0 Lite Feb 13, 2026 · Recraft V4 Feb 17, 2026
  • Widest inputsSeedream 5.0 LiteSeedream 5.0 Lite: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4: Text prompts
  • Image editingSeedream 5.0 LiteTakes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Lite yes · Recraft V4 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachSeedream 5.0 Lite: 1 · Recraft V4: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Seedream 5.0 Lite vs Recraft V4 specifications side by side
SpecificationSeedream 5.0 LiteByteDance SeedRecraft V4Recraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,140 ±3#39 of 82 · 141,120 votes (best)1,115 ±3#50 of 82 · 149,367 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,294 ±3#32 of 61 · 494,805 votes—
Price
Starting price$0.035/image 2K—
How it is billedPer image—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions2K—
Highest resolution2K—
Largest image2K (about 4 MP)—
Images per requestUp to 4—
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Max reference images14—
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedFeb 13, 2026Feb 17, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Seedream 5.0 Lite or Recraft V4?

For text to image, voters prefer Seedream 5.0 Lite (Seedream 5.0 Lite 1,140 (#39) · Recraft V4 1,115 (#50)). 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 Seedream 5.0 Lite and Recraft V4?

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

Which is newer?

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

Which can edit an existing image?

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

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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