Seedream is ByteDance's text-to-image model family — Seedream v4, Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 5 Lite — known for strong character consistency across generations. The Seedream API generates and edits images from a text prompt programmatically. This guide explains the family, its pricing, and how to run the same workflow on Kunavo today.
model field.The Seedream model family
| Model | ByteDance list (approx.) | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Seedream v4 | ~$0.03 / image | Character consistency, flagship quality |
| Seedream 4.5 | ~$0.04 / image | Refined v4, better prompt adherence |
| Seedream 5 Lite | ~$0.035 / image | Fast, cost-effective |
Because ByteDance prices Seedream so aggressively, going direct is currently the cheapest route — which is exactly why Kunavo hasn't enabled it. We'd rather tell you that than resell it at a markup.
Text-to-image on Kunavo today
Kunavo exposes image generation through one OpenAI-style endpoint, POST /v1/images/generations. The live models are Nano Banana and GPT-Image-2. The request shape is identical to what a Seedream call would be — only the model string differs:
import os
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
api_key=os.environ["KUNAVO_API_KEY"],
base_url="https://api.kunavo.com/v1",
)
# Live text-to-image on the same OpenAI-style endpoint. Swap the model
# string to Seedream once it's enabled — the request shape is identical.
img = client.images.generate(
model="nano-banana", # or nano-banana-pro / gpt-image-2
prompt="a character sheet of a fox ranger, consistent face, 3 poses",
size="1024x1024",
)
print(img.data[0].url)The closest live alternatives
- Nano Banana — Google's image family, strong character consistency, about $0.027 per image. The nearest match to Seedream's strengths. See the Nano Banana API guide.
- GPT-Image-2 — best prompt fidelity and text-in-image, about $0.0633 per image. See the GPT-Image-2 API guide.
- For image editing, both offer image-to-image via
/v1/images/edits— details in the images reference.
FAQ
What is the Seedream API?
Seedream is ByteDance's text-to-image model family (Seedream v4, Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 5 Lite), known for strong character consistency across generations. The Seedream API generates or edits images from a text prompt programmatically. ByteDance lists it around $0.03–0.04 per image.
Can I use the Seedream API on Kunavo today?
Not yet. Seedream is on Kunavo's roadmap but not currently enabled, because ByteDance's own price is already so low that we can't offer it below list — and Kunavo only lists models it can serve cheaper than going direct. The live text-to-image models today are Nano Banana and GPT-Image-2 on the same OpenAI-style /v1/images/generations endpoint, so adopting Seedream later is a one-word change to the model field.
What is Seedream 4.5?
Seedream 4.5 is ByteDance's refined version of Seedream v4, with better prompt adherence. It generates and edits images from text and is priced around $0.04 per image on ByteDance's list. On Kunavo, use Nano Banana or GPT-Image-2 today through the same endpoint.
What's the best Seedream API alternative?
For strong character consistency at low cost, Google's Nano Banana is the closest live alternative on Kunavo (about $0.027 per image); for prompt fidelity and text-in-image, GPT-Image-2. Both run on the OpenAI-compatible images endpoint with one key.
Can I use Seedream on Kunavo today?
Not yet — it's on the roadmap. ByteDance's direct price is already so low that Kunavo can't beat it, and we only list models we can serve cheaper. Use Nano Banana or GPT-Image-2 on the same endpoint today.
What's the best Seedream alternative?
Nano Banana for consistency at low cost; GPT-Image-2 for prompt fidelity — both live on Kunavo through the OpenAI-compatible images endpoint.