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

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare

Preferred for text to image: GPT Image 2.5 Flare · Preferred for image editing: GPT Image 2.5 Flare · Newest: GPT Image 2.5 Flare. Quality scores are blind human-preference votes; specs and prices come from each lab’s listings.

  1. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 5.0 Pro

    Released Jul 11, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,390
    • From$0.045/image
    • Max size2K
    Full specs Remove Seedream 5.0 Pro

  2. OpenAI

    GPT Image 2.5 Flare

    Released Sep 8, 2026New

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,482
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT Image 2.5 Flare

  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 imageGPT Image 2.5 FlareSeedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14) · GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,401 (#2) — blind human votes
  • Preferred for image editingGPT Image 2.5 FlareSeedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13) · GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,482 (#2) — blind human votes
  • NewestGPT Image 2.5 FlareSeedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026 · GPT Image 2.5 Flare Sep 8, 2026
  • Widest inputsSame inputsSeedream 5.0 Pro: Text prompts, Reference images · GPT Image 2.5 Flare: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Pro yes · GPT Image 2.5 Flare yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT Image 2.5 FlareSeedream 5.0 Pro: 1 · GPT Image 2.5 Flare: 4
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs GPT Image 2.5 Flare specifications side by side
SpecificationSeedream 5.0 ProByteDance SeedGPT Image 2.5 FlareOpenAI
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,250 ±4#14 of 82 · 105,824 votes1,401 ±5#2 of 82 · 39,218 votes (best)
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,390 ±3#13 of 61 · 317,111 votes1,482 ±5#2 of 61 · 87,941 votes (best)
Price
Starting price$0.045/image 1K—
Top price$0.09/image 2K—
How it is billedPer imageBilled per token: $30 per million output image tokens.
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions1K · 2K—
Highest resolution2K—
Largest image2K (about 4 MP)—
Images per requestUp to 1Up to 10 (best)
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Max reference images1416 (best)
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts14 (best)
ReleasedJul 11, 2026Sep 8, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Seedream 5.0 Pro or GPT Image 2.5 Flare?

For text to image, voters prefer GPT Image 2.5 Flare (Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,250 (#14) · GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,401 (#2)). For image editing, voters prefer GPT Image 2.5 Flare (Seedream 5.0 Pro 1,390 (#13) · GPT Image 2.5 Flare 1,482 (#2)). 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 Pro costs from $0.045/image (1K), up to $0.09/image (2K). GPT Image 2.5 Flare 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 Pro and GPT Image 2.5 Flare?

Seedream 5.0 Pro is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Jul 11, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. GPT Image 2.5 Flare is an image model from OpenAI (Sep 8, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026; GPT Image 2.5 Flare Sep 8, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Pro yes; GPT Image 2.5 Flare 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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