ByteDance released Seedream 5.5 on 5 November 2026, and we tested it on 7 November. Does it allow NSFW images? Yes in this test: 56 runs finished without a refusal, though two edits toned down the requested content. Generation starts at $0.0195.
Verdict: pick Seedream 5.5 for unfiltered stills, exact text and layers at less than half the 2k price of 5.0 Pro.
- Pick it if you want generation from $0.0195 at 1k or 1.5k.
- Pick it if you need 4k output or transparent PNG generation and editing.
- Pick it if you want layer splitting with an output ceiling.
What the content test found
We checked every image by eye: 18 text-to-image requests, 18 edits and 20 layer splits. We publish the level names and outcomes, not the test prompts.
| Level | Text to image | Edit |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 3 of 3 delivered | 3 of 3 delivered |
| Moderate | 3 of 3 delivered | 3 of 3 delivered |
| Strong | 3 of 3 delivered | 2 of 3 delivered, 1 toned down |
| Very strong | 3 of 3 delivered | 2 of 3 delivered, 1 toned down |
| Maximum | 6 of 6 delivered | 6 of 6 delivered |
Maximum used two probe types, accounting for six runs per endpoint. All 20 layer runs split correctly.
Generation delivered at every tested level. Editing completed throughout, but completion did not always preserve the requested intensity. SpicyAPI adds no content filter of its own.
Four runs used the live SpicyAPI API; each passed and was charged exactly the quoted price. See the full Seedream 5.5 review.
What changed from Seedream 5.0 Pro and 4.5
| Seedream 5.5 | Seedream 5.0 Pro | Seedream 4.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1k | $0.0195 | $0.036 | Not offered |
| 2k | $0.027 | $0.072 | $0.04 |
| 4k | $0.0525 | Not offered | $0.04 |
| Top size | 4k | 2k, about 4 megapixels | 4k |
| Edit references | Up to 10 | Up to 10 | Up to 14 |
| Aspect ratios | 8 | 15 | 8 |
| Transparent PNG | Generation and edit | Edit, with a PNG source containing alpha | No |
| Layer split | With an output ceiling | No output ceiling setting | No |
| Speed in our tests | 15 to 38 s | Median about 75 s on real jobs | 10 to 28 s at 2k |
| Content result | 56 runs, none refused, 2 edits toned down | Every level delivered on both endpoints on 24 Sep 2026; one Very strong edit in three became a plain portrait | 24 probes on 21 Oct 2026, none refused; Very strong toned down on text, 2 of 2 runs; Strong and Very strong toned down on edit |
A 5.0 Pro user gains 4k, transparent generation and lower generation prices at 1k and 2k, while moving from 15 aspect ratios to eight. A 4.5 user pays $0.027 instead of $0.04 at 2k, and gives up four reference slots and the $0.04 rate at 4k.
The other change you will notice is lettering. ByteDance pitches 5.5 at small multilingual text, and our KAZE RAMEN menu at 2k reproduced its English title, Japanese subtitle, four item lines and footnote letter for letter. The NOIR magazine cover prompt ruled out extra words, and the result held to its masthead, Japanese line, issue line and barcode.
KAZE at 2k reproduced the supplied text letter for letter, with extra Japanese lettering at the side.
What it costs
| Endpoint | 1k | 1.5k | 2k | 4k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text to image, per image | $0.0195 | $0.0195 | $0.027 | $0.0525 |
| Edit, before input-image charges | $0.0195 | $0.0195 | $0.027 | $0.0525 |
| Layers, per returned image | $0.0195 | $0.0195 | $0.027 | Not offered |
Every input image adds a small edit charge: a 1k edit with one input totals $0.027. A 1k layer split returning two images costs $0.039, including the base. The layer tool's auto setting is held at the 2k rate.
Layer quotes hold the maximum charge for the requested ceiling; the difference is released when the job settles. Refused and failed requests are not charged. Check the model page for current prices.
How fast it is
On 7 November, wall-clock times including queue were 15 to 38 seconds for generation, 14 to 37 for edits and 14 to 47 for layers. For comparison, 5.0 Pro had a median of about 75 seconds on real jobs, while 4.5 took 10 to 28 seconds at 2k.
Layer splitting: what 5.5 adds
A finished design goes in; an opaque base and separate transparent PNG pieces come out. Each piece has a name, position and stacking order. The base has no bounding box.
The published examples returned six images at a ceiling of six for both NOIR and KAZE. NOIR separated the background, person, masthead, Japanese line, issue line and barcode. A three-line poster returned four images at a ceiling of five: the ceiling limits output count rather than promising that many pieces.
NOIR returned six images, including its base, at a ceiling of six.
The addition in 5.5 is the ceiling control. Billing counts every returned image, base included. Ask for English layer names. Parameters: image_url accepts one PNG or JPEG of at least 512 × 512; num_outputs is 2 to 100, default 10, including the base. See the step-by-step layer guide.
The 5.0 tools have no output ceiling setting. Flash layers cost $0.026 per returned image; Pro layers cost $0.042 to $0.084.
If a request is refused or toned down
- For a toned-down edit or a refused request, try the same request on Seedream 5.0 Pro edit.
- For more than 10 references or a flat $0.04 at 4k, choose Seedream 4.5, keeping its toned-down record above in mind.
- For new pictures from text at a lower price, Z-Image Spicy starts at $0.01235 and accepts no source image.
- For a flat $0.029 across tiers up to 2k, choose Seedream 5.0 Flash.
See the wider editor roundup and the previous Seedream test.
Our tests used adult subjects. Adults only in every prompt and every source photo. Do not use a real person's likeness without consent or depict anyone who could read as a minor. You are responsible for what you generate and publish. Generated media is kept for 14 days, then deleted.
Frequently asked questions
Does Seedream 5.5 allow NSFW images?
Yes in our 56-run test: no refusals, with two edits toned down. Another request may differ.
Is it cheaper than 5.0 Pro?
Generation costs $0.0195 versus $0.036 at 1k, and $0.027 versus $0.072 at 2k. Edits add input-image charges.
Can it make transparent PNGs?
Yes, in generation and editing. Use background: transparent with output_format: png; JPEG stays opaque.
Does a refused request cost anything?
No. Refused and failed requests are not charged.
What does the layer ceiling mean?
It caps returned images, including the base. A ceiling of five can return four; billing follows the returned count.
