The Seedream Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Seedream in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Seedream
The Insider’s Guide
ByteDance's image generation and editing model, sold by the image
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among AI image and video generators, read from Seedream’s own pages.
Made by ByteDance · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Seedream’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Seedream’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
1.6
GPA, above 2 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade
Seedream is ByteDance Seed's family of image models that handle text-to-image generation and instruction-based editing in one model. Version 5.5 is the current release on ByteDance's pages. BytePlus, ByteDance's cloud arm, sells it through an API and as prepaid image packs.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Seedream, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It's sold as API access and image packs, which suits people who are comfortable calling a model rather than opening an app.
- 1
Best for an image model bought by the pack or through an API
Seedream is ByteDance's image model, and what you buy is access to it: image packs or an API.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $13.99 for 700 images, valid 30 days ($6.99 first purchase).
- 3
It runs on Web
Web.
- 4
Generation and editing in one model
Seedream 4.0 combined text-to-image and prompt-based editing in a single architecture, according to ByteDance Seed's page.
- 5
Multi-turn editing
Seedream 5.5 makes targeted changes across successive edits while keeping the unedited parts of the image as they were.
- 6
Transparent backgrounds
Seedream 5.5 can output images with transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds, including separate layers.
- 7
A 1.6 GPA, above 2 of 89
That is against the other AI image and video generators we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
To replace Seedream you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Seedream at a glance
- Pricing
- Paid, from $13.99 for 700 images, valid 30 days ($6.99 first purchase)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- ByteDance
- Category
- AI Image & Video Generators
- Our grade
- 1.6 GPA, weak
The report card
Best for an image model bought by the pack or through an API
Seedream is ByteDance's image model, and what you buy is access to it: image packs or an API. Generation and editing sit in one model, but it isn't an app, nothing on the listing is free, and packs expire after 30 days.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $13.99 for 700 images, about 2 cents each, and $35.99 for 1,800. Those are pay-as-you-go packs the category's monthly figures can't be set against, so it sits in the middle. The cheaper first-purchase prices apply once. |
| Free plan and trial | F | No free plan or trial on the listing. A first pack is discounted to $6.99, which is still a purchase. |
| Features | C | Text-to-image and prompt-based editing in one model, transparent backgrounds and multi-turn edits. It's a model, not a full app, so there is no gallery, library or editor around it. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. It's sold as API access and image packs, which suits people who are comfortable calling a model rather than opening an app. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web only, with an API through BytePlus. No phone or desktop apps and no integrations are named. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Seedream is for
- Fits if you generate images in volume and want to pay per image
- Works for developers who want an image model behind their own app
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want a finished app with a gallery and editor, as this is a model
- Tight if you buy packs and use them slowly: they expire after 30 days and unused images are lost
- Pricey if you read the discounted prices as the real ones, since $6.99, $24.99 and $49.99 are for a first purchase only
- Watch out: versions 4.0, 5.0 Lite and 5.5 all appear across ByteDance pages, and the packs are stated for 5.5
Good to know
Good for
- Developers who want an image model priced per image through an API
- Teams that edit one image repeatedly and need the rest left intact
- Designers who need cutouts or layers with transparent backgrounds
Worth knowing
- Seedream is a model, not an app of its own; the pages read here sell API access and image packs.
- Packs expire after 30 days and unused images are not carried over.
- The discounted prices apply to a first purchase only; the listed figure is the regular price.
- Versions 4.0, 5.0 Lite and 5.5 appear across ByteDance pages; the packs are stated for 5.5.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$13.99
To start
Seedream is a paid product, starting at $13.99 for 700 images, valid 30 days ($6.99 first purchase).
Those are pay-as-you-go packs the category's monthly figures can't be set against, so it sits in the middle.
Starter
$13.99
for 700 images, valid 30 days, paid once
Seedream 5.5 image pack. First purchase is $6.99 (50% off); unused images expire.
Professional
$35.99
for 1,800 images, valid 30 days, paid once
Seedream 5.5 image pack. First purchase is $24.99 (31% off); unused images expire.
Team
$69.99
for 3,500 images, valid 30 days, paid once
Seedream 5.5 image pack for heavy use. First purchase is $49.99 (29% off).
Read from byteplus.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
First-purchase pack discount
New BytePlus customers pay $6.99, $24.99 or $49.99 for the three packs, 29% to 50% below the listed prices.
Stated on byteplus.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
ByteDance's image generation and editing model, sold by the image. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: public API, AI features, image generation.
Text-to-image and prompt-based editing in one model, transparent backgrounds and multi-turn edits.
- Generation and editing in one model
- Seedream 4.0 combined text-to-image and prompt-based editing in a single architecture, according to ByteDance Seed's page.
- Multi-turn editing
- Seedream 5.5 makes targeted changes across successive edits while keeping the unedited parts of the image as they were.
- Transparent backgrounds
- Seedream 5.5 can output images with transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds, including separate layers.
- Multi-image fusion and series
- BytePlus lists multi-image fusion, image series generation, style transfer and element deletion or modification.
- Per-image API pricing
- BytePlus advertises image generation and editing from $0.02 per image through its API.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Seedream is made by ByteDance.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
2/89
Other AI image and video generators it is graded above
Seedream's GPA of 1.6 is higher than 2 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on ease of use (C, above 7 of 89) and worst on free plan and trial (F, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 90 AI image and video generators we grade, cut by the letter each got. Seedream’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 6 of 89
- FFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 89
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 89
- CEase of useAbove 7 of 89
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 89
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Seedream you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 86 of the 89 other AI image and video generators grade higher.
What you could not
- An image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
- An API that other software can build on.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Seedream’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Midjourney, FLUX by Black Forest Labs, Ideogram, Recraft and Dreamina
The 5 tools Seedream is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
Midjourney
From $8/mo
Image and short-video generator run on monthly GPU time.
- Midjourney also covers video generation.
- 2.0GPA
FLUX by Black Forest Labs
Free plan
FLUX image and video models, paid per use via API and playground.
- FLUX by Black Forest Labs has a free plan. Seedream does not.
- FLUX by Black Forest Labs is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- FLUX by Black Forest Labs also covers video generation.
- 2.8GPA
Ideogram
Free plan · from $15/mo
Image generator for designs with text, plus editing and video apps.
- Ideogram has a free plan. Seedream does not.
- Only Ideogram lists an iOS app.
- Ideogram also covers video generation.
- 2.6GPA
Recraft
Free plan · from $10/mo
Image and vector generator built for designers and brand work.
- Recraft has a free plan. Seedream does not.
- Only Recraft lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Recraft lists a browser extension.
- 2.2GPA
Dreamina
Free plan
AI image, video and audio studio built on Seedream and Seedance.
- Dreamina has a free plan. Seedream does not.
- Dreamina also covers video generation.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Seedream free?
No. Seedream is a paid product, starting at $13.99 for 700 images, valid 30 days ($6.99 first purchase).
How much does Seedream cost?
Seedream lists 3 plans. Starter: $13.99 for 700 images, valid 30 days, paid once.
What platforms does Seedream work on?
Seedream is available on Web.
Does Seedream offer any discounts?
Seedream publicly lists the following: First-purchase pack discount.
Does Seedream have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Seedream is listed for Web.
Does Seedream have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Seedream is listed for Web.
Is Seedream open source?
Seedream is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does Seedream have an API?
Yes. Seedream offers a public API, according to its own site.
Who makes Seedream?
Seedream is made by ByteDance.
What are the alternatives to Seedream?
The closest alternatives to Seedream in our directory are Midjourney, FLUX by Black Forest Labs, Ideogram, Recraft and Dreamina.
How does Seedream compare with other AI image and video generators?
Seedream's GPA of 1.6 is higher than 2 of the 89 other AI image and video generators we grade, and level with 1.
Could I make my own version of Seedream?
To replace Seedream you would be making an image model, which you can rent by the picture but not make.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Seedream’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from ByteDance's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ByteDance
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by ByteDance. Prices change, so check seed.bytedance.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Seedream, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/seedream
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Seedream: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/seedream
Know someone choosing between AI image and video generators?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/seedream/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded AI image and video generators after Seedream, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- AI Image & Video Generators Insider's GuideEvery one of the 90 AI image and video generators we grade, compared
- Pixlr Insider's GuideBrowser photo editors with AI image, video and audio tools3.2 GPA
- Adobe Firefly Insider's GuideAdobe's image, video and audio generator, with partner models3.0 GPA
- ComfyUI Insider's GuideOpen-source node editor for image and video AI workflows, plus a cloud3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Seedream’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Seedream is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by ByteDance. Prices and plans change: check seed.bytedance.com before you buy.