You want an adult still or an edit from Seedream, and four versions are live on SpicyAPI: 4.5, 5.0 Pro, 5.0 Lite and 5.0 Flash. They differ in canvas size, reference limits, price and how often they tone a request down. This article puts their results side by side so you can pick one for the job.
Short answer: for the cleanest content record in our tests, pick Seedream 5.0 Lite (34 of 34 runs delivered), with 5.0 Pro close behind (33 of 34). Pick Seedream 4.5 when you need 4K output or up to 14 reference images in one edit, and expect it to tone down some of the strongest requests. Seedream 5.0 Flash has the lowest flat per-image price in this set, but its first test pass was mixed, so check it on your own scene first.
Prices are per image at the time of writing (22 October 2026). The model page always shows the current price.
Seedream 4.5: the biggest canvas
Seedream 4.5 is the previous generation from ByteDance. It costs a flat $0.04 per image at 2K or 4K, the same price for both sizes. The edit endpoint takes up to 14 reference images at that same price. It has no seed, no mask and no negative prompt.
Edit output follows the size of the source. The same 3:4 request returned 1728 x 2304 for one source and 1776 x 2352 for another, so check the size before you plan a layout.
Our content test ran on 21 October 2026: 24 probes across both endpoints, adult subjects, default 2K. Nothing was refused and nothing errored. Results by the five October levels (Mild, Moderate, Strong, Very strong, Maximum):
| Level | Text to image | Edit |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Delivered | Delivered |
| Moderate | Delivered | Delivered |
| Strong | Delivered | Toned down |
| Very strong | Toned down (2 of 2 runs) | Toned down |
| Maximum | Delivered | Delivered |
Most levels had one run per endpoint, so treat this as a pattern, not a rate. One Very strong run came back with muddled anatomy. Rewording or rerunning a prompt can change a toned-down result. That softening comes from the model, not from a filter on our side.
Strengths from the Seedream 4.5 review are clean 2K and 4K stills, exact lettering and edits that use many references at once.
Seedream 5.0 family: the September tests
The 5.0 models were tested in September on a five-step L1 to L5 ladder, from suggestive to extreme. The October levels above use different prompt sets and dates. Both ladders run from suggestive to extreme, so read the 4.5 and 5.0 results as a strong pointer, not a lab comparison.
5.0 Pro: light and skin
Pro delivered 33 of 34 text-to-image and edit runs. The one miss was an L4 edit that came back as a plain portrait instead of the two-person scene. In our edit comparisons it showed better light and skin detail than Lite or 4.0.
It costs $0.036 per image at 1K and $0.072 at 2K, with 15 aspect ratios at 1K or 2K. Edits take 1 to 10 references, and each extra reference adds $0.003.
5.0 Lite: the cleanest record
Lite delivered 34 of 34 runs. It is a flat $0.0345 per image, with 8 fixed 2K-class sizes and 1 to 10 references at no extra charge.
5.0 Flash: the lowest price, a mixed first pass
Flash is a flat $0.029 per image for text to image and edit. It offers 15 aspect ratios from 1K to 2K and 1 to 10 references at no extra charge.
Its first pass was mixed. Text to image delivered 2 of 3 at L3, 1 of 3 at L4 and 4 of 6 at L5 class A. A later 12-run check delivered 10 as asked. One L3 run came back changed and one L4 run came back softened. A separate batch at 1.5K and 2K delivered all 18 runs. Flash edits at L1, L4 and L5 were not run.
Text-to-image results from the September tests, Pro, Lite and Flash:
| Level | Pro | Lite | Flash |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| L2 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| L3 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| L4 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| L5 class A | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 6 |
| L5 class B | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Side by side
| Model | Content record in our tests | Price per image | Sizes | References in an edit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedream 4.5 | Delivered most levels; toned down Very strong, and Strong on edits | $0.04 flat | 2K or 4K | Up to 14 |
| Seedream 5.0 Pro | 33 of 34 delivered | $0.036 at 1K, $0.072 at 2K | 1K or 2K, 15 aspect ratios | 1 to 10, +$0.003 per extra reference |
| Seedream 5.0 Lite | 34 of 34 delivered | $0.0345 flat | 8 fixed 2K-class sizes | 1 to 10, flat |
| Seedream 5.0 Flash | Mixed first pass; 12-run check gave 10 as asked | $0.029 flat | 1K to 2K, 15 aspect ratios | 1 to 10, flat |
Which one should you pick?
- Strongest record on adult stills: 5.0 Lite.
- Light and skin at 1K: 5.0 Pro.
- 4K output or lettering: 4.5, at $0.04 flat.
- An edit built from many references: 4.5, with up to 14.
- Lowest per-image price: 5.0 Flash, after a test run on your scene.
A workflow that works: draft on Flash or Lite, finish on 4.5 when you need 4K or lettering, and use Pro for skin and light at 1K. For prompt wording, see the Seedream 4.5 prompt guide, and for the earlier Seedream 5.0 test see is Seedream uncensored.
Questions people ask
Is Seedream 4.5 uncensored? The model carries the Uncensored label. In our 21 October test nothing was refused. Very strong requests were toned down on text to image in 2 of 2 runs, and Strong and Very strong requests were toned down on edits.
Is Seedream 4.5 better than 5.0? It is the earlier generation, so this is not a quality ranking. In our tests 5.0 Lite and Pro had the cleaner content record. 4.5 offers 4K at a flat price and up to 14 references in one edit.
Does Seedream 4.5 support 4K? Yes. Text to image and edit both offer 4K at the same $0.04 flat price as 2K.
Which Seedream has the lowest price? At the time of writing, 5.0 Flash is listed at $0.029 per image, the lowest flat price of the four. The model pages show current prices.
Use adults only in every prompt and upload. Do not generate a real person's likeness without their consent. You are responsible for what you generate.
Try Seedream 4.5 text to image, Seedream 5.0 Pro, Seedream 5.0 Lite or Seedream 5.0 Flash. The Seedream 4.5 edit page takes the reference images.
