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Guide · Image model comparison
Seedream 5.0 vs GPT Image 2.5: how the image models compare
Seedream 5.0 vs GPT Image 2.5 (Sunburst and Flare): sizes, reference images, editing, characters and where each model is strongest, from official docs.
- Image sizes
- References
- Editing
- Characters
- Official sources
Short answer
They are built for different workflows. On KreatorFlow, Seedream 5.0 Pro renders at 1.5K and 2K with up to 10 reference images, and Seedream 4.5 goes up to 4K with up to 14 references and 4 images per run, with no code. OpenAI's official API docs (checked 6 October 2026) describe GPT Image 2.5 as two models released on September 8, 2026: Sunburst, for workflows where editing precision matters most, and Flare, for fast everyday images. By default they make 1024 x 1024, 1536 x 1024 or 1024 x 1536 images, with custom sizes up to 3840 px per edge, up to 10 images per request and edits from up to 16 input images. GPT Image is strongest as an API building block for precise, mask-guided edits; Seedream for consistent characters, reference-heavy sets and images that go straight into video.
Updated:
How to compare them fairly
- 1
Use the same prompt
Write one idea with subject, setting, light and framing, and use it unchanged on both models.
- 2
Match aspect ratio and size
Pick the same aspect ratio and the closest size. GPT Image works in pixel sizes; the KreatorFlow studio in aspect ratios and size tiers.
- 3
Test with references
Repeat the test with your product photo or your character: that is where the models differ most.
- 4
Compare an edit too
Ask for one specific change (a new background, a different outfit) and check whether everything else stays the same.
Seedream vs GPT Image 2.5, fact by fact
Seedream as the KreatorFlow image studio offers it; GPT Image 2.5 as OpenAI's official API docs describe it, checked 6 October 2026. No third-party prices.
| Seedream on KreatorFlow | GPT Image 2.5 (official docs) | |
|---|---|---|
| Models | Seedream 5.0 Pro and Seedream 4.5 | GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and GPT Image 2.5 Flare (September 8, 2026) |
| Output size | 1.5K and 2K (5.0 Pro, at most 2K); 1K, 2K and 4K (4.5) | 1024 x 1024, 1536 x 1024 and 1024 x 1536; custom sizes up to 3840 px per edge (above 2560 x 1440 is experimental) |
| Images per generation | Up to 4 per run (Seedream 4.5) | 1 by default, up to 10 |
| Aspect ratios | 1:1, 3:4, 4:3, 2:3, 3:2, 9:16, 16:9 and 21:9, or Auto | Any ratio between 1:3 and 3:1 with custom sizes |
| Reference images | Up to 14 (4.5) or 10 (5.0 Pro) | Up to 16 input images on edits |
| Consistent characters | Saved characters called by @handle | Reference images; the guide notes recurring characters may not always stay consistent |
| Editing | Edit any image with a text prompt (2 credits on Seedream 4.5) | Edits with an optional, prompt-guided mask; multi-turn editing in the Responses API |
| Quality | Pick the model (5.0 Pro or 4.5) and the size | low, medium, high, xhigh, max or auto |
| Access | No-code web studio and a developer API | Image API and the Responses API image generation tool |
Sources, as checked:
- OpenAI API docs: Image generation guide, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation
- OpenAI API docs: GPT-Image-2.5 Sunburst model, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst
- OpenAI API docs: GPT-Image-2.5 Flare model, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/docs/models/gpt-image-2.5-flare
- OpenAI API reference: Create image, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/reference/resources/images/methods/generate
- OpenAI API reference: Create image edit, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/reference/resources/images/methods/edit
- OpenAI API changelog, checked 6 October 2026: developers.openai.com/api/docs/changelog
What GPT Image 2.5 does well
GPT Image 2.5 is the current image model family in OpenAI's API, released on September 8, 2026 in two versions. OpenAI's guide recommends Sunburst for workflows where editing precision matters most and Flare for fast, high-quality everyday images, and recommends GPT Image 2.5 for new integrations.
It is built for developers: the Image API and the Responses API both generate and edit images, the Responses API adds multi-turn editing, an edit can take up to 16 input images and an optional mask, transparent backgrounds come out as PNG or WebP, and quality ranges from low to max. Custom sizes go up to 3840 px per edge.
What Seedream 5.0 Pro and Seedream 4.5 do well
Seedream is ByteDance's image model family. On KreatorFlow, Seedream 5.0 Pro is the model for final, detail-heavy stills: it renders at 1.5K and 2K (at most 2K) with up to 10 references, for 2 credits at 1.5K or 3 at 2K. Seedream 4.5 costs 2 credits per image at any size up to 4K, takes up to 14 reference images and makes up to 4 images per run.
No code needed: the studio offers 8 aspect ratios (1:1, 3:4, 4:3, 2:3, 3:2, 9:16, 16:9 and 21:9), saved characters called by @handle (4 credits per character) and editing with a text prompt. Any image can become the first frame of a Seedance 2.0 video. KreatorFlow is an official partner of BytePlus, ByteDance's enterprise AI platform.
Which should you use?
Neither wins everywhere. A quick guide based on what each model documents:
- Building image generation or editing into your own app or pipeline: GPT Image 2.5 (Image API and Responses API).
- Precise edits to one area with a mask, or several rounds of edits in a conversation: GPT Image 2.5.
- Cut-outs on a transparent background: GPT Image 2.5 (PNG or WebP).
- The same face or product across a campaign, without writing code: Seedream, with saved @handle characters and up to 14 references.
- Images that become video: Seedream with Seedance 2.0 in the same studio.
- Detailed final stills with references and the cost per image shown up front: Seedream 5.0 Pro (2 credits at 1.5K).
Where Seedream on KreatorFlow fits best
Pick Seedream on KreatorFlow when you want production results without building an integration: characters that stay the same, reference-heavy edits and a direct path into video with Seedance 2.0, all in one studio, with the credit cost shown before you generate.
OpenAI's own guide notes that the model may occasionally struggle to keep recurring characters or brand elements consistent. On KreatorFlow, a saved character is called by its @handle in every prompt, and you can add the same photo as a reference.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Seedream or GPT Image?
It depends on the job. GPT Image 2.5 shines as an API building block: mask edits, multi-turn editing, transparent backgrounds and up to 16 input images. Seedream shines with saved @handle characters and up to 14 references in a no-code studio, and on KreatorFlow it takes images into video with Seedance 2.0.
What is OpenAI's current image model?
GPT Image 2.5, in two versions released on September 8, 2026: gpt-image-2.5-sunburst and gpt-image-2.5-flare. OpenAI's guide recommends them for new integrations.
What resolution does each model make?
On KreatorFlow, Seedream 5.0 Pro renders at 1.5K and 2K (at most 2K) and Seedream 4.5 at 1K, 2K and 4K. GPT Image 2.5 recommends 1024 x 1024, 1536 x 1024 and 1024 x 1536, and allows custom sizes up to 3840 px per edge.
How many reference images can each one use?
Seedream 4.5 takes up to 14 and Seedream 5.0 Pro up to 10. GPT Image takes up to 16 input images on edits.
Do I need to write code?
Not for Seedream on KreatorFlow: you work in the web studio, and there is also a developer API. GPT Image 2.5 is documented as part of OpenAI's API (the Image API and the Responses API).
Where do the GPT Image facts come from?
From OpenAI's official API docs (the image generation guide, the model pages, the API reference and the changelog), checked 6 October 2026. The sources are listed under the table. Anything those pages do not state clearly is left out, and so is every price.
Put Seedream to the test
Take your prompt to the KreatorFlow image studio and compare for yourself. New accounts get 75 starter credits, and the cost shows before every image.