Seedream API Family
Use one EvoLink API to compare the Seedream image family and choose the right route for generation, editing, text-heavy visuals, or cost-sensitive production before you open pricing or prompt guides.
5 models
Covers generation, editing, and cost tiers
Unified API access
OpenAI compatible, per-image pricing
Choose by workflow
Match version to task before integrating
Compare the Seedream versions
This page helps you answer one practical question: which Seedream version should own this workflow on EvoLink?
| Version | Best for | Image quality | Text rendering | Editing / references | Pricing snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium fidelity, exact dimensions, and instruction-based editing | Pro route with 1K/2K output tiers and custom dimensions | Clean, at exact placement sizes | Instruction-based editing with up to 10 references | $0.0338/image | |
| Fast drafts and high-volume generation at one flat per-image price | Faster Seedream 5.0 route with 1K/1.5K/2K output at the same price | Test your own lettering and layouts before production | Up to 10 references, not billed; layer split available | $0.0162/image | |
Seedream 5.0 Lite Reasoning | Complex prompts, knowledge-grounded visuals, scientific diagrams, and data-rich content. | Reasoning route with Deep Thinking and web search | Strongest fit for prompt-sensitive and knowledge-grounded visuals | Supports the broadest reference-heavy planning lane | $0.028/image |
Seedream 4.5 4K Editing | 4K image editing, product galleries, campaign visuals, and multi-image consistency. | Production-quality editing and 4K visual output | Strong fit for ads, ecommerce, and readable visual assets | Best fit for multi-image consistency and controlled revisions | $0.03/image |
Seedream 4.0 Cost-efficient | High-volume text-to-image, batch generation, and reference-guided consistency for straightforward prompts. | Reliable baseline for high-volume generation | Best used for simpler prompt and layout needs | Good baseline for reference-guided generation | $0.0225/image |
How to decide which Seedream version to use
Follow these 4 rules to narrow down your choice.
Start with prompt complexity
Complex prompts, knowledge-grounded visuals, scientific diagrams, or data-rich content — start with Seedream 5.0 Lite.
Then check editing needs
4K image editing, product galleries, multi-image consistency, or text rendering for campaigns — compare Seedream 4.5.
Then check volume and cost
For frequent single-image iterations, compare Flash's flat output rate and free references. For batch output, check 4.0 and its current rate.
Finally, consider cross-vendor options
If your shortlist also includes OpenAI or Google image routes, visit the comparison guides to evaluate across vendors.
If you already know your workflow type, find the recommended starting point in the table below.
Choose a Seedream version by workflow: generation, editing, text rendering, and batch production
Match your primary workflow to the right Seedream version.
| Your workflow | Recommended start | Good fit if... | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium quality with exact dimensions & multi-reference editing | Seedream 5.0 Pro | You need 1K/2K output tiers, custom pixel sizes, up to 10 references, and instruction-based editing | No sequential sets; one image per request; 2K ceiling (no 4K) |
| Fast drafts and high-volume generation at a flat price | Seedream 5.0 Flash | You iterate on many drafts, want 2K output without a price step-up, or use many reference images | One image per request; standard prompt mode only; no 4K tier |
| Complex / knowledge-grounded visuals | Seedream 5.0 Lite | Prompts are complex, reference real-world data, or need reasoning before generation | Reasoning before generation adds latency — reserve it for prompts that need it |
| 4K editing and product galleries | Seedream 4.5 | Workflow involves image editing, multi-image consistency, or text rendering for campaigns | Editing-focused — plain text-to-image jobs may not need its editing features |
| Text-heavy posters and labels | Seedream 4.5 | Text rendering accuracy and prompt fidelity are the main decision factors | Best for readable text — check 5.0 Lite for complex layouts |
| High-volume batch generation | Seedream 4.0 | Tasks are generation-heavy, cost per image matters most, batch workflows dominate | Simpler prompt and layout handling than 4.5 and 5.0 |
| Cross-vendor image evaluation | Comparison guides | Your shortlist includes GPT Image, Nano Banana, or other image APIs | Leave the family page for cross-vendor comparison content |
Seedream API workflows: generation, editing, text rendering, and batch production
See how Seedream versions fit into real image production pipelines and creative workflows.
Text-to-image generation
For campaign visuals, concept art, marketing assets, and creative iteration. If the output needs reasoning or real-world knowledge grounding, start with Seedream 5.0 Lite. For cost-sensitive batch generation, compare Seedream 4.0.
Image editing and refinement
For product photo editing, visual revisions, background replacement, and controlled image updates. If your workflow involves multi-image consistency and 4K output, start with Seedream 4.5.
Text-heavy graphics and labels
For posters, product labels, ad banners, and prompt-sensitive layouts where text rendering accuracy matters. Seedream 4.5 offers the strongest text rendering across the family.
High-volume batch production
For repeated image output at scale — e-commerce catalogs, social media variants, and automated content pipelines. Start with Seedream 4.0 for straightforward prompts, check its current per-image rate, and step up to 4.5 only where editing or text rendering demands it.
Explore each Seedream version
Use this page to compare, then visit individual version pages for pricing details, playground access, and API integration guides.
Seedream 5.0 Pro
Pro
- Quality
- Pro route with 1K/2K output tiers and custom dimensions
- Pricing
- $0.0338/image
Seedream 5.0 Flash
Fast
- Quality
- Faster Seedream 5.0 route with 1K/1.5K/2K output at the same price
- Pricing
- $0.0162/image
Seedream 5.0 Lite
Reasoning
- Quality
- Reasoning route with Deep Thinking and web search
- Pricing
- $0.028/image
Seedream 4.5
4K Editing
- Quality
- Production-quality editing and 4K visual output
- Pricing
- $0.03/image
Seedream 4.0
Cost-efficient
- Quality
- Reliable baseline for high-volume generation
- Pricing
- $0.0225/image
Access Seedream models through one EvoLink API
Use one EvoLink account and API key for the five Seedream models. Select the model ID, then check each route's supported fields, resolution limits and billing before switching.
Switch model="seedream-5.0-lite" to model="seedream-4" without rebuilding your integration.How to think about Seedream API cost: quality, editing, and batch production
Complex generation amplifies per-image cost
Knowledge-grounded visuals, deep thinking, and web search produce higher-quality results but at a premium. If prompt complexity and accuracy matter, Seedream 5.0 Lite quality may justify the cost. For simpler prompts, don't default to the most capable version.
Editing workflows need the right version
4K editing, multi-image consistency, and text rendering are production requirements that Seedream 4.5 handles best. If your bottleneck is editing quality rather than generation volume, this version is more cost-effective than generating and re-generating.
High-volume generation needs low unit cost
Batch text-to-image, catalog production, and social media content at scale should be judged on cost per usable image. Run a real batch through Seedream 4.0 first, then compare its per-image rate and rework rate against 4.5 before locking the pipeline.
Pricing summary
All Seedream versions bill per image on EvoLink, with the rate set by version and output resolution. Each version page shows the current rate; the notes below summarize what each version is for.
Seedream 5.0 Pro
$0.0338/image
Resolution-based output rates; check the Pro page for input-image charges.
Seedream 5.0 Flash
$0.0162/image
Flat rate — 1K/1.5K/2K cost the same, reference images free
Seedream 5.0 Lite
$0.028/image
Includes optional web search add-on. See the version page for current rates.
Seedream 4.5
$0.03/image
Best fit for 4K editing, multi-image consistency, and text rendering workflows.
Seedream 4.0
$0.0225/image
Baseline text-to-image route for batch generation and straightforward prompts. See the version page for its current per-image rate.
Related Seedream guides
The family page routes you to the right version. Use these guides for pricing, prompts, and comparison intent.
Seedream Pricing Guide (2026)
Compare Seedream 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 Lite pricing side by side. Per-image costs, EvoLink vs official rates, and which version fits your budget.
Seedream Prompt Guide & Best Practices
How to write effective prompts for all Seedream versions. Covers structure, reference images, text rendering, and version-specific tips.
Seedream 4.5 vs Nano Banana 2
Compare Seedream 4.5 and Nano Banana 2 for multi-image editing, pricing shape, and product photography fit.
Seedream 5.0 vs Nano Banana Pro vs GPT Image
Workflow-focused comparison of Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 5.0 Pro, Nano Banana Pro, and GPT Image 1.5 with pricing-shape and routing guidance.
Seedream API Family FAQ
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.