Seedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine
ByteDance's artistic model vs xAI's realism — different strengths for different needs.
Grok Imagine is no longer offered on Melies. Seedream 4.5 is available today. The specs below are kept for reference.
Seedream 4.5 from ByteDance and Grok Imagine from xAI represent two different approaches to AI image generation. ByteDance's flagship model with stunning aesthetics and complex scene understanding. On the other side, xAI's flagship image model with exceptional realism and artistic range.
At 10 credits, Seedream 4.5 costs 5 credits less than Grok Imagine (15 credits). Grok Imagine is no longer offered on Melies. Seedream 4.5 is, along with the other current image models listed on the pricing page.
Updated November 2026
Grok Imagine is no longer offered on Melies, so Seedream 4.5 is the one you can use here. At 10 credits, it is a fit for artistic scenes. For other options, compare the current image models and their credit costs on the pricing page.
Seedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine: Visual Output
Both generated with the same prompt and seed 42. Click to view full size.
Seedream 4.5
Grok ImagineSeedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine: How They Compare
| Seedream 4.5 | Grok Imagine | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | ByteDance | xAI |
| Released | Dec 2025 | Jul 2025 |
| Cost | 10 | 15 |
| Speed | Medium | Medium |
| Reference images | Up to 10 | Up to 3 |
| Editing | ||
| WebP output |
Seedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine: Cost Comparison
Seedream 4.5 is 33% cheaper than Grok Imagine. Here's how credits add up at scale.
| Volume | Seedream 4.5 | Grok Imagine |
|---|---|---|
| 10 images | 100 | 150 |
| 50 images | 500 | 750 |
| 100 images | 1,000 | 1,500 |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Seedream 4.5
- + More affordable (10 vs 15 credits)
- + Artistic scenes
- + Supports 10 reference images
- + More resolution options
- + Auto 2K and 4K resolution
- - No WebP output
Grok Imagine
- + Photorealism
- + WebP output for smaller file sizes
- + 13 aspect ratio options (most of any model)
- + Also has text-to-video capability
- - More expensive (15 vs 10 credits)
Seedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine: Which to Pick?
On a tight budget
At 10 credits per image, Seedream 4.5 gives you more generations for your plan. Good enough quality for most everyday use.
Character or style consistency
Seedream 4.5 supports 10 reference images to keep subjects, styles, and characters consistent across generations.
Seedream 4.5 vs Grok Imagine: FAQ
Practical answers before you start creating.
Try Seedream 4.5 on Melies
Compare Seedream 4.5 with the other image models on Melies side by side. Switch models with one click, same credits.
Start Generating Images
