Image model vs image model
Seedream 4.0 vs Z-Image Base
Z-Image Base ranks 38th of the 49 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; Seedream 4.0 hasn’t been rated yet. Z-Image Base costs 3× less ($0.03 against $0.01 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 56 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 Seedream 4.0. Models the arena hasn’t rated yet sit in the grey lane at the bottom.
Which one to pick
Pick Z-Image Base if
- you want a model with a track record: it ranks 38th of the 49 models we list with a text-to-image arena score, and Seedream 4.0 has no arena score yet
- price matters: 100 images cost $1.00, against $3.00 with Seedream 4.0
- you want open weights you can run yourself
The specs
| Spec | Seedream 4.0 | Z-Image Base |
|---|---|---|
| Price per image | $0.03 | $0.01 |
| 100 images | $3.00 | $1.00 |
| Text-to-image Elo | Not scored yet | 891 ±17 (#87 in the arena) |
| Editing Elo | Not scored yet | Not scored yet |
| Arena votes | — | 2,500 |
| Edits uploaded pictures | No | No |
| Largest size | — | — |
| Open weights | No | Yes |
| Zero data retention | No | — |
| Lab | ByteDance | Alibaba |
| Official name | Seedream 4.0 | Z-Image Base |
| Released | September 2025 | January 2026 |
Elo ± is the 95% margin. Prices are for one 1024×1024 image from the Vercel AI Gateway and fal.ai.
Questions
Which is better, Seedream 4.0 or Z-Image Base?
Z-Image Base ranks 38th of the 49 models we list with a text-to-image arena score; Seedream 4.0 hasn’t been rated yet. Z-Image Base costs 3× less ($0.03 against $0.01 an image).
Which is cheaper, Seedream 4.0 or Z-Image Base?
Z-Image Base: $0.01 for a 1024×1024 image, against $0.03 for Seedream 4.0. 100 images cost $1.00 and $3.00.
Can Seedream 4.0 and Z-Image Base edit images?
Not on ModelCompare: both only make new pictures from a prompt here.
How can I compare Seedream 4.0 and Z-Image Base 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.