Both 15 credits. ByteDance's structured design strength vs xAI's artistic realism.
Seedream 5 Pro from ByteDance and Grok Imagine from xAI represent two different approaches to AI image generation. ByteDance's flagship image model with deep-thinking prompt understanding and native multilingual text. On the other side, xAI's flagship image model with exceptional realism and artistic range.
Both models cost 15 credits per generation, so the decision comes down to capabilities rather than budget. Seedream 5 Pro excels at premium quality, multilingual text, infographics, structured designs, product photography, while Grok Imagine is better suited for photorealism, artistic range, unusual aspect ratios.
Updated August 2026
Both cost 15 credits, so pick based on your needs. Go with Seedream 5 Pro for premium quality. Choose Grok Imagine if you need photorealism. Since they're the same price on Melies, try both and see which output style you prefer.
| Provider | ByteDance | xAI |
| Released | May 2026 | Jul 2025 |
| Cost | 15 | 15 |
| Speed | Medium | Medium |
| Reference images | Up to 10 | Up to 3 |
| Editing | ||
| WebP output |
Both models cost the same. Here's how credits add up at scale.
| Volume | Seedream 5 Pro | Grok Imagine |
|---|---|---|
| 10 images | 150 | 150 |
| 50 images | 750 | 750 |
| 100 images | 1,500 | 1,500 |
At 15 credits per image, Seedream 5 Pro gives you more generations for your plan. Good enough quality for most everyday use.
Seedream 5 Pro supports 10 reference images to keep subjects, styles, and characters consistent across generations.
Practical answers before you start creating.





Compare Seedream 5 Pro, Grok Imagine, and 15+ AI image models side by side. Switch models with one click, same credits.
Start Generating Images