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.
3 versions
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seedream 5.0 Lite Latest | Complex prompts, knowledge-grounded visuals, scientific diagrams, and data-rich content. | Newest family route for complex image generation | Strongest fit for prompt-sensitive and knowledge-grounded visuals | Supports the broadest reference-heavy planning lane | $0.031/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 at lowest cost. | Reliable baseline for high-volume generation | Best used for simpler prompt and layout needs | Good baseline for reference-guided generation | $0.018/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
High-volume text-to-image, batch generation, reference-guided consistency, and cost-sensitive workflows — compare Seedream 4.0.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complex / knowledge-grounded visuals | Seedream 5.0 Lite | Prompts are complex, reference real-world data, or need reasoning before generation | Higher cost per image — best for quality-first use cases |
| 4K editing and product galleries | Seedream 4.5 | Workflow involves image editing, multi-image consistency, or text rendering for campaigns | Editing-focused — not the cheapest for pure generation |
| 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 | Lowest cost — simpler prompt and layout handling |
| 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. When cost per image is the primary constraint, start with Seedream 4.0 at 40% below official pricing.
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 Lite
Latest
- Quality
- Newest family route for complex image generation
- Pricing
- $0.031/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
- $0.018/image
Access Seedream models through one EvoLink API
All Seedream versions are available through a single EvoLink API key and OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Switch between Seedream 5.0 Lite, 4.5, and 4.0 by changing the model parameter — no separate accounts or keys needed.
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 prioritize cost per image. Test with Seedream 4.0 at 40% below official BytePlus pricing — the lowest-cost entry point in the family.
Pricing summary
All Seedream versions use per-image pricing on EvoLink. The version pages show exact live rates, but the current snapshot shows Seedream 4.0 as the lowest-cost entry point, Seedream 4.5 as the balanced editing route, and Seedream 5.0 Lite as the premium reasoning layer.
Seedream 5.0 Lite
$0.031/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
$0.018/image
Lowest cost per image in the family. See the version page for live pricing.
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 Lite vs Nano Banana Pro vs GPT Image
Three-way comparison of the latest image generation APIs by quality, speed, pricing, and workflow fit.
Seedream API Family FAQ
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.