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

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs Recraft V4.1

Lowest entry price: Recraft V4.1 · Newest: Seedream 5.0 Pro · Widest inputs: Seedream 5.0 Pro. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  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. Recraft

    Recraft V4.1

    Released May 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Arena—
    • From$0.035/image
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove Recraft V4.1

  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.

  • Lowest entry priceRecraft V4.1Seedream 5.0 Pro from $0.045/image (1K) · Recraft V4.1 from $0.035/image (1024×1024)
  • NewestSeedream 5.0 ProSeedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026 · Recraft V4.1 May 14, 2026
  • Widest inputsSeedream 5.0 ProSeedream 5.0 Pro: Text prompts, Reference images · Recraft V4.1: Text prompts
  • Image editingSeedream 5.0 ProTakes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Pro yes · Recraft V4.1 no
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsSame reachSeedream 5.0 Pro: 1 · Recraft V4.1: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

Seedream 5.0 Pro vs Recraft V4.1 specifications side by side
SpecificationSeedream 5.0 ProByteDance SeedRecraft V4.1Recraft
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,250 ±4#14 of 82 · 105,824 votes—
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,390 ±3#13 of 61 · 317,111 votes—
Price
Starting price$0.045/image 1K$0.035/image 1024×1024 (best)
Top price$0.09/image 2K—
How it is billedPer imagePer image
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Resolutions1K · 2K—
Highest resolution2K—
Largest image2K (about 4 MP)—
Images per requestUp to 1Up to 6 (best)
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesNo
Max reference images14 (best)1
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts11
ReleasedJul 11, 2026May 14, 2026
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, Seedream 5.0 Pro or Recraft V4.1?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

Which is cheaper?

Seedream 5.0 Pro costs from $0.045/image (1K), up to $0.09/image (2K); Recraft V4.1 costs from $0.035/image (1024×1024). Prices are list rates and change often; check the lab before budgeting.

What is the difference between Seedream 5.0 Pro and Recraft V4.1?

Seedream 5.0 Pro is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Jul 11, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. Recraft V4.1 is an image model from Recraft (May 14, 2026), taking text prompts and producing images.

Which is newer?

Seedream 5.0 Pro Jul 11, 2026; Recraft V4.1 May 14, 2026.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: Seedream 5.0 Pro yes; Recraft V4.1 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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