Model comparison
Seedream 5.5 vs GPT Image 2.6
We ran the same six prompts on Seedream 5.5 and GPT Image 2.6 at High quality, each in the closest size it offers. One try each, nothing picked or re-rolled. Here is how they compare.
Try Seedream 5.5The short answer
- Seedream 5.5 costs 1 credit at 2K. GPT Image 2.6 at High quality costs 2. That is half the price.
- Seedream 5.5 was faster here: 31 to 47 seconds an image, against 44 to 74.
- Both spelled every word right on all six prompts. On looks, these two were close all the way through.
- Seedream 5.5 can return a PNG with a see-through background, and it takes up to 10 reference images against 8.
- GPT Image 2.6 framed the food photo more closely to the prompt.
- GPT Image 2.6 goes bigger, up to 3840 x 2160 for 4 credits. It has no 3:4 size, so its portrait and poster came out at 2:3.
At a glance
| Seedream 5.5 | GPT Image 2.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | ByteDance | OpenAI |
| Price in this test | 1 credit | 2 credits (High) |
| Largest size | 2K, about 4 megapixels | 3840 x 2160 (4 credits) |
| Reference images | Up to 10 (1.5 credits at 2K) | Up to 8 |
| See-through background | Yes, as a PNG | No |
| Time per image in this test | 31 to 47 seconds | 44 to 74 seconds |
Three signs in one photo


Both spelled all three signs right, and both nailed the golden hour. GPT Image 2.6 went extra warm, with vines painted around the shop sign. Seedream 5.5 has softer light and dust in the sun, plus a small extra card on the counter. Both did well, so price decides.
Photograph on a 35mm lens at eye level: a beautiful woman in her late twenties with long glossy chestnut hair, bright green eyes, flawless glowing skin and a radiant smile, in a fitted cream knit top and a mustard corduroy jacket, stands behind the counter of a small plant shop at golden hour, holding a terracotta pot with a fern. A hand painted wooden sign on the wall behind her reads "THE GREEN ROOM". A small chalkboard on the counter reads "REPOTTING EVERY SATURDAY". A paper tag tied to the pot reads "FERN 14". Low warm sun through the front window lighting her face, dust in the light, shelves of plants softly blurred, shallow depth of field, natural skin texture, the text must be exact, no other text anywhere.
Editorial portrait


Both did well. GPT Image 2.6 adds a fishing boat and a rising sun behind him, with a cable knit sweater. Seedream 5.5 keeps it simple, with mist off the harbor and fine film grain. GPT Image 2.6 has no 3:4 size, so its frame is a little taller.
Tight beauty editorial portrait on an 85mm lens at f/2: a strikingly handsome man in his early thirties with thick dark tousled hair, a sharp jawline, light stubble and warm hazel eyes, in a navy fisherman sweater, turns toward the camera with a slight confident smile on a harbor wall at dawn as sea mist drifts behind him, soft silver light with a faint warm glow from the left, individual hairs and wool fibers visible, natural skin texture, fine color negative film grain, magazine cover quality, no text.
Product shot with a label


Both wrote DEW NO. 5 cleanly and placed the mint, the wet stone and the drops. GPT Image 2.6 chose a rugged rock and set the mint on the left. Seedream 5.5 framed the label in a thin box. A tie, at half the price.
Studio product photograph on a 100mm macro lens: a frosted glass bottle of pale green skincare serum with a brushed gold cap stands on a wet slab of dark slate, three water droplets on the glass, one sprig of fresh mint beside it, hard rim light from the right, soft fill from the left, deep forest green gradient background, crisp reflections, advertising quality, photoreal. The label on the bottle reads "DEW NO. 5" in thin black capitals, the text must be exact, no other text.
Concert poster


Every line is spelled right on both, and both have the paper grain. GPT Image 2.6 puts the player at the side with a water tower behind him. Seedream 5.5 centers him on a huge sun. Both did well.
Flat vector concert poster in a mid-century style. Headline at the top reads "SUNDOWN SESSIONS" in tall cream geometric capitals. Below it a smaller line reads "LIVE JAZZ ON THE ROOF". Central illustration: a trumpet player in silhouette against a huge orange sun with city rooftops below. At the bottom a line reads "EVERY FRIDAY 8 PM" and under it "TICKETS AT THE DOOR". Palette of burnt orange, cream, teal and charcoal, subtle paper grain, the text must be exact, no other text anywhere.
Infographic


Both got the title and all four labels right, with clean icons and arrows. GPT Image 2.6 kept the exact 94 C. Seedream 5.5 added a degree sign. Both did well.
Clean flat infographic on a cream background titled "HOW TO BREW POUR OVER COFFEE" in bold dark brown capitals at the top. Four numbered steps in a row, each with a simple icon and a short label under it: step 1 a scale icon with the label "WEIGH 20 G", step 2 a kettle icon with the label "HEAT TO 94 C", step 3 a dripper icon with the label "BLOOM 30 SEC", step 4 a cup icon with the label "POUR IN CIRCLES". Thin arrows between the steps, palette of dark brown, terracotta and sage green, the text must be exact, no other text anywhere.
Food photo


GPT Image 2.6 shot closer to straight down, as the prompt asked, with rich color. Seedream 5.5 shot from an angle. Both put in every topping, the pickles and the iced tea, with steam and long shadows.
Overhead food photograph on a 50mm lens: a blue ceramic bowl of ramen with a soft egg cut in half, three slices of pork, spring onion, a sheet of nori and chili oil catching the light, wooden chopsticks resting on the rim, a small dish of pickles and a glass of iced tea beside it on a dark walnut table, steam rising, hard window light from the top left with long shadows, photoreal, no text.
Run your own test
Both models are on Pixel Dojo. Copy any prompt above and try it on each.