Image model vs image model
Qwen Image 3 vs Seedream 4.0
Qwen Image 3 ranks 15th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; Seedream 4.0 hasn’t been rated yet. Seedream 4.0 costs 1.3× less ($0.04 against $0.03 an image).
At a glance
Longer bar means the bigger number. Elo bars start at 800.
Price per image · 1024×1024, lower is better
Where they sit among all 57 image models
Up and to the left is better pictures for less money. Hover or tap a dot for its numbers, then click it to compare that model with Qwen Image 3. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick Qwen Image 3 if
- you want a model with a track record: it ranks 15th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score, and Seedream 4.0 has no arena score yet
- you need to edit pictures you upload; Seedream 4.0 only makes new ones here
Pick Seedream 4.0 if
- price matters: 100 images cost $3.00, against $4.00 with Qwen Image 3
The specs
| Spec | Qwen Image 3 | Seedream 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.04 | $0.03 |
| 100 images | $4.00 | $3.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | 1070 ±12 (#18 in the arena) | Not scored yet |
| Editing Elo | 1068 ±13 (#29 in the arena) | Not scored yet |
| Arena votes | 6,090 | — |
| Edits uploaded pictures | Yes | No |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | No |
| Zero data retention | — | No |
| Lab | Alibaba | ByteDance |
| Official name | Qwen Image 3 | Seedream 4.0 |
| Released | July 2026 | September 2025 |
Elo ± is the 95% margin. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway and fal.ai.
Questions
Which is better, Qwen Image 3 or Seedream 4.0?
Qwen Image 3 ranks 15th of the 50 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; Seedream 4.0 hasn’t been rated yet. Seedream 4.0 costs 1.3× less ($0.04 against $0.03 an image).
Which is cheaper, Qwen Image 3 or Seedream 4.0?
Seedream 4.0: $0.03 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.04 for Qwen Image 3. 100 images cost $3.00 and $4.00.
Can Qwen Image 3 and Seedream 4.0 edit images?
Qwen Image 3 can change a picture you upload. Seedream 4.0 only makes new pictures from a prompt here.
How can I compare Qwen Image 3 and Seedream 4.0 myself?
Open the comparison, type one prompt and both models draw it side by side, each with what it cost and how long it took. You sign up with Google before your first run, and new accounts start with free credit.
Related comparisons
Where the numbers come from
Quality scores are Elo ratings from the Artificial Analysis image arenas, where people vote between two pictures made from the same prompt without knowing which model made which. The vote split comes from the Elo gap. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway and fal.ai; models billed per token are estimated at the quality the arena scored. The sample pictures are our own runs. Updated October 25, 2026.