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Model comparison

Seedream 5.5 vs Seedream 5

We ran the same six prompts on Seedream 5.5 and Seedream 5, in the same shape and at 2K. One try each, nothing picked or re-rolled. Here is how they compare.

Try Seedream 5.5

The short answer

  • Seedream 5.5 costs 1 credit at 2K. Seedream 5 costs 2.75. That is almost three images for the price of one.
  • Seedream 5.5 was faster here. Every image came back in 31 to 47 seconds. Seedream 5 took 53 to 75.
  • Both spelled every word right on all six prompts, from the shop signs to the poster.
  • Seedream 5.5 can return a PNG with a see-through background, ready for logos, stickers and cutouts. Seedream 5 cannot.
  • Both take up to 10 reference images. With references, Seedream 5.5 is 1.5 credits at 2K.
  • Seedream 5 framed the food photo more closely to the prompt. The rest came out about even.

At a glance

Seedream 5.5Seedream 5
Made byByteDanceByteDance
Price at 2K1 credit2.75 credits
Price at 1K0.5 credits1.5 credits
With reference images (2K)1.5 credits2.75 credits
Reference imagesUp to 10Up to 10
See-through backgroundYes, as a PNGNo
Time per image in this test31 to 47 seconds53 to 75 seconds

Three signs in one photo

Seedream 5.5: Three signs in one photo
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Three signs in one photo
Seedream 5

Both spelled all three signs right: THE GREEN ROOM, the chalkboard and the FERN 14 tag. Seedream 5.5 has the softer golden hour light, with dust floating in the sun. Seedream 5 is glossier and brighter. Seedream 5.5 also slipped a small extra card onto the counter.

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

Seedream 5.5: Editorial portrait
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Editorial portrait
Seedream 5

Both did well. Each one has the stubble, the hazel eyes and mist rising off the harbor. Seedream 5.5 has a quieter, filmic finish with real grain and a thick knit. Seedream 5 gives him a bigger smile and brighter light.

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

Seedream 5.5: Product shot with a label
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Product shot with a label
Seedream 5

A tie on looks. Both wrote DEW NO. 5 cleanly and set the bottle on wet slate with the mint beside it. Seedream 5.5 framed the label in a thin box. Seedream 5 went darker and moodier. Seedream 5.5 made its version for about a third of 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

Seedream 5.5: Concert poster
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Concert poster
Seedream 5

Every line is spelled right on both. Seedream 5.5 drew a full city of rooftops and water towers under the player. Seedream 5 moved in closer, with chimneys along the bottom. 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

Seedream 5.5: Infographic
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Infographic
Seedream 5

Both got the title and all four labels right. Seedream 5.5 set each step on a soft panel with fuller icons, and it wrote 94 C with a degree sign. Seedream 5 kept the exact 94 C and drew simpler line icons.

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

Seedream 5.5: Food photo
Seedream 5.5
Seedream 5: Food photo
Seedream 5

Seedream 5 wins on framing. It shot straight down, as the prompt asked, with long shadows across the table. Seedream 5.5 shot from an angle. Both put in the egg, the pork, the nori, the chili oil, the pickles and the iced tea.

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.