Seedream 4.0 vs Seedream 5 Lite
Seedream 4.0 ($0.03 / image) and Seedream 5 Lite ($0.035 / image) both run in Made at the provider's wholesale rate, so this comparison can use real prices instead of credits. A typical image costs $0.03 on Seedream 4.0 and $0.035 on Seedream 5 Lite. The specs below come from the same catalog Made's generator runs on.
Both models run in Made at the provider's wholesale rate with 0% markup, so the prices below are what you actually pay — and you can switch between them per generation.
Side by side
| Spec | Seedream 4.0 | Seedream 5 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price at cost | $0.03 / image | $0.035 / image |
| Typical generation | $0.03 | $0.035 |
| Resolutions | 1K, 2K, 4K | Provider-managed |
| Aspect ratios | match_input_image, 1:1, 4:3, 3:4, 16:9, 9:16, 3:2, 2:3, 21:9 | 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4 |
| Image input | Optional, multiple images | Optional, multiple images |
| Output format | JPG | PNG |
Specs reflect the options Made currently exposes for each model; the controls in the generator are the source of truth.
Choose Seedream 4.0 when…
- Budget matters: a typical image costs $0.03 versus $0.035 on Seedream 5 Lite.
- Format range matters: 8 aspect ratios versus 5 on Seedream 5 Lite.
Choose Seedream 5 Lite when…
- You want PNG output for clean downstream editing; Seedream 4.0 returns JPG.
- Its look wins on your prompts — at these rates, running the same prompt through both and keeping Seedream 5 Lite's output is a cheap test.
The verdict
Seedream 4.0 is the better default on cost: $0.03 versus $0.035 for a typical image. Pay the Seedream 5 Lite premium when its output on your specific prompts is visibly better — run one prompt through both and check.
Or don't choose: run the same prompt through both and keep the better result — at these prices the experiment costs pennies.
Common questions
- Which is cheaper, Seedream 4.0 or Seedream 5 Lite?
- Seedream 4.0. A typical generation costs $0.03 versus $0.035 for Seedream 5 Lite. Both prices are the wholesale provider rates — Made members pay them with 0% markup.
- Can I use both Seedream 4.0 and Seedream 5 Lite in Made?
- Yes. Made is model-agnostic: pick either model per generation, pay the provider’s wholesale rate for each, and compare the results side by side in your library.
- Are these prices marked up?
- No. The rates on this page are the list prices our providers charge, passed through at cost. Failed generations are refunded automatically and your balance never expires.
More comparisons featuring these models
Every model's wholesale rate is on the price sheet, and all comparisons are listed on the compare index.