What is Seedream 5.5?

Seedream 5.5 is ByteDance's newest image model. It makes images from a prompt and edits images you attach, with up to 10 references per run. Its three changes from 5.0 are steadier repeated edits, transparent PNGs, and more natural photos with cleaner small text.

When was Seedream 5.5 released?

ByteDance's Seed team announced it on 9 November 2026. It has been in Sceneform since 12 November 2026.

Is Seedream 5.5 free?

It runs on Sceneform credits: 2 per image, with or without reference images. Plans start at $19 a month, which covers about 250 Seedream 5.5 images. The image tool shows the cost before you generate.

What changed from Seedream 5.0 Pro?

5.5 makes transparent PNGs and keeps the parts you don't mention far steadier across edits: after the same 12 edits to one photo, 4.3% of it had changed on 5.5 and 82% on 5.0 Pro. It also costs less, 2 credits an image against 3 to 5. 5.0 Pro stays in the image tool.

Is Seedream 5.5 better than Nano Banana?

Each wins somewhere. On our price list prompt, Nano Banana 2.1 and GPT Image 2.6 spelled every line, and Seedream 5.5 did in three of four runs. Seedream 5.5 costs the least of the three, at 2 credits, and is the one that makes transparent PNGs and holds still across many edits. Run your prompt on each in the same image tool.

How do I get a transparent background?

Pick Seedream 5.5 and set Background to Transparent. You get a PNG with no background, soft edges and see-through glass included, ready to put on any color or photo.

How many times can I edit the same image?

As often as you like. ByteDance tested 100 rounds; we ran 12 and the untouched parts held. Attach the last result each time, change one thing, and end with "Keep everything else the same."

How many reference images can I attach?

Up to 10. Name each one in the prompt by its order, such as "Figure 1" and "Figure 2", and say what to take from it.

Does Seedream 5.5 make 4K images?

No, it goes up to 2K: 2048 by 2048 pixels square, or 3024 by 1296 at 21:9. For 4K, use Seedream 4.5 or Nano Banana 2.1 in the same image tool.

Is there a Seedream 5.5 Pro?

Not yet. ByteDance has said a Pro version comes later. Sceneform will add it when it's out.

Can I use Seedream 5.5 from code or an agent?

Yes. Call it from the Sceneform API with an API key, or ask the Creative Agent, which picks it for cutouts and cheap stills.

Can I use Seedream 5.5 images commercially?

Yes. Every paid plan includes commercial use and exports without a watermark.

New from ByteDance, out 9 November 2026

Seedream 5.5

ByteDance's newest image model. Edit one image again and again and only what you name changes. Ask for a cutout and get a transparent PNG.

Try Seedream 5.52 credits an image

A candid horizontal snapshot inside a neighborhood bistro on a summer evening. Two older diners eat at a table with cream linen, unaware of the camera. Glasses, cutlery, breadcrumbs, worn wooden chairs. Warm pendant lights, slight underexposure, high-ISO grain, a wine bottle blurred in the foreground.
Transparent PNG
A sheet of nine cartoon stickers of ocean life and cats: a cat in a diving mask, an octopus, a striped fish, a crab, a jellyfish, a whale, a cat on a surfboard, a starfish, a seashell. Thick white die-cut borders, glossy vinyl. Transparent background outside the stickers.
A white cat sits among bottles and glasses on a bar counter at night. Low angle, tilted composition, direct flash, Fujifilm Provia colors, film grain, bright highlights on glass.
Figure 1. Change the light to warm golden evening sun with long shadows across the floor. Keep the furniture, plant and painting exactly the same.
Transparent PNG
A clear glass of iced coffee with milk swirling into it, condensation droplets, a paper straw. Semi-transparent glass, isolated object on a transparent background.
A vertical street photograph of a southern European corner: a lemon-yellow limewashed wall, an old deep-purple wooden door, purple linen hanging to dry, golden flowers in a rusty bucket. Hard afternoon sun with crisp shadows, textured plaster.
Candid editorial photo of a young beekeeper in a white veiled suit lifting a honeycomb frame heavy with bees, late afternoon light through the veil, lavender field behind, shallow depth of field, 50mm film photo, natural skin texture.
Transparent PNG
A playful blue plush 3D cartoon creature with a round body, big shiny eyes and stubby limbs, waving. Soft fabric texture with visible stitching. Isolated character on a transparent background.
Low angle looking down at wet paving stones after rain, puddles reflecting the golden carvings and columns of an old building against a deep-blue evening sky. No people. Worn joints, ripples, reflections broken by stones.
A candid horizontal snapshot inside a neighborhood bistro on a summer evening. Two older diners eat at a table with cream linen, unaware of the camera. Glasses, cutlery, breadcrumbs, worn wooden chairs. Warm pendant lights, slight underexposure, high-ISO grain, a wine bottle blurred in the foreground.
Transparent PNG
A sheet of nine cartoon stickers of ocean life and cats: a cat in a diving mask, an octopus, a striped fish, a crab, a jellyfish, a whale, a cat on a surfboard, a starfish, a seashell. Thick white die-cut borders, glossy vinyl. Transparent background outside the stickers.
A white cat sits among bottles and glasses on a bar counter at night. Low angle, tilted composition, direct flash, Fujifilm Provia colors, film grain, bright highlights on glass.
Figure 1. Change the light to warm golden evening sun with long shadows across the floor. Keep the furniture, plant and painting exactly the same.
Transparent PNG
A clear glass of iced coffee with milk swirling into it, condensation droplets, a paper straw. Semi-transparent glass, isolated object on a transparent background.
A vertical street photograph of a southern European corner: a lemon-yellow limewashed wall, an old deep-purple wooden door, purple linen hanging to dry, golden flowers in a rusty bucket. Hard afternoon sun with crisp shadows, textured plaster.
Candid editorial photo of a young beekeeper in a white veiled suit lifting a honeycomb frame heavy with bees, late afternoon light through the veil, lavender field behind, shallow depth of field, 50mm film photo, natural skin texture.
Transparent PNG
A playful blue plush 3D cartoon creature with a round body, big shiny eyes and stubby limbs, waving. Soft fabric texture with visible stitching. Isolated character on a transparent background.
Low angle looking down at wet paving stones after rain, puddles reflecting the golden carvings and columns of an old building against a deep-blue evening sky. No people. Worn joints, ripples, reflections broken by stones.

A warm documentary photograph of a young father reclining on a dark plum sofa, holding a sleeping baby on his chest. Cream knitted cushions and a mustard blanket, golden afternoon light from a window, natural skin, film grain.
Transparent PNG
A chunky cream and forest-green suede running sneaker, side view, laces slightly loose, soft studio shadow under the sole. Isolated product on a transparent background.
A candid street photograph of a woman in a burgundy top and light brown jacket looking down at her phone while strong wind sweeps her long hair across her sunglasses. The whole frame tilts about 20 degrees, hurried asymmetric framing, overcast city light.
Portrait of an older florist in a green apron in her narrow shop doorway, arms full of white tulips, buckets of flowers on the pavement, soft overcast light, Amsterdam street, documentary photo, natural color.
Transparent PNG
A loose bouquet of ranunculus, sweet peas and trailing jasmine wrapped in crinkled brown paper tied with twine, petals and fine stems clearly separated. Isolated object, soft studio light, editorial still life.
Overhead photo of a swimmer in a red cap floating on her back in a turquoise outdoor pool, long shadows from the morning sun across the tiles, water ripples catching light. Minimal, graphic, editorial.
Transparent PNG
The word "Sceneform" in rounded bold letters wrapped in alternating royal-blue and lake-blue yarn, visible fibers and fuzz, soft side shadows. Transparent background outside the lettering.
A warm documentary photograph of a young father reclining on a dark plum sofa, holding a sleeping baby on his chest. Cream knitted cushions and a mustard blanket, golden afternoon light from a window, natural skin, film grain.
Transparent PNG
A chunky cream and forest-green suede running sneaker, side view, laces slightly loose, soft studio shadow under the sole. Isolated product on a transparent background.
A candid street photograph of a woman in a burgundy top and light brown jacket looking down at her phone while strong wind sweeps her long hair across her sunglasses. The whole frame tilts about 20 degrees, hurried asymmetric framing, overcast city light.
Portrait of an older florist in a green apron in her narrow shop doorway, arms full of white tulips, buckets of flowers on the pavement, soft overcast light, Amsterdam street, documentary photo, natural color.
Transparent PNG
A loose bouquet of ranunculus, sweet peas and trailing jasmine wrapped in crinkled brown paper tied with twine, petals and fine stems clearly separated. Isolated object, soft studio light, editorial still life.
Overhead photo of a swimmer in a red cap floating on her back in a turquoise outdoor pool, long shadows from the morning sun across the tiles, water ripples catching light. Minimal, graphic, editorial.
Transparent PNG
The word "Sceneform" in rounded bold letters wrapped in alternating royal-blue and lake-blue yarn, visible fibers and fuzz, soft side shadows. Transparent background outside the lettering.

Seedream 5.5 is ByteDance's newest image model. It edits the same image again and again while the rest holds still, draws transparent PNGs from a prompt, and writes small text more cleanly than 5.0. In Sceneform it costs 2 credits an image.

of a photo changed after 12 edits on 5.5: 4.3%; of a photo changed after 12 edits on 5.5
after the same 12 edits on 5.0 Pro: 82%; after the same 12 edits on 5.0 Pro
credits an image, references included: 2; credits an image, references included
reference images per run, up to 2K: 10; reference images per run, up to 2K

Edit one room six times. Only what you name changes.

Each step is a new run on the image before it, attached as Figure 1. The walls, the floor and the light through the window stay as they were.

Wide photograph of an empty sunlit Scandinavian living room: white walls, pale oak floor, one large window on the left with morning light, nothing else in the room. Natural color, 24mm, architectural interior photo.

Step 1 of 633.3 s · 2 credits

Recolor one mug twelve times. Watch what else moves.

ByteDance says Seedream 5.5 keeps what you don't mention through 100 rounds of edits. We tested 12 on the same photo, against Seedream 5.0 Pro.

The desk on Seedream 5.5 after 0 rounds — 0.0%of the photo no longer matches the original

The desk on Seedream 5.0 Pro after 0 rounds — 0.0%of the photo no longer matches the original

Original

Edit round0

Show what changed

Original

Photograph of a tidy oak desk by a window in soft morning light: a white ceramic mug in the center of the desk, a closed grey notebook on the left, a brass desk lamp on the right, a small potted cactus at the back, a linen curtain. Natural color, 35mm, realistic.

How we measured

Both chains start from the same 2560 by 1440 image. A pixel counts as changed when any color channel moved more than 12 of 255 from the original. The mug itself is about 1.8% of the photo.

Transparent PNGs. Drag them anywhere.

Every object here is one Seedream 5.5 run with Background set to Transparent. There was no background to remove and no edge to clean up.

PNG with transparency · 2 credits each

The six prompts

The word "Sceneform" in rounded bold letters wrapped in alternating royal-blue and lake-blue yarn, visible fibers and fuzz, soft side shadows. Transparent background outside the lettering.
A sheet of nine cartoon stickers of ocean life and cats: a cat in a diving mask, an octopus, a striped fish, a crab, a jellyfish, a whale, a cat on a surfboard, a starfish, a seashell. Thick white die-cut borders, glossy vinyl. Transparent background outside the stickers.
A chunky cream and forest-green suede running sneaker, side view, laces slightly loose, soft studio shadow under the sole. Isolated product on a transparent background.
A clear glass of iced coffee with milk swirling into it, condensation droplets, a paper straw. Semi-transparent glass, isolated object on a transparent background.
A playful blue plush 3D cartoon creature with a round body, big shiny eyes and stubby limbs, waving. Soft fabric texture with visible stitching. Isolated character on a transparent background.
A loose bouquet of ranunculus, sweet peas and trailing jasmine wrapped in crinkled brown paper tied with twine, petals and fine stems clearly separated. Isolated object, soft studio light, editorial still life.

A paper price list reading "NOOR'S BREAD" taped inside a bakery window

Small text. Look closer.

Point at the price list. We ran the same prompt four times: three runs spelled every line and price, and one printed the heading twice. Put each line in quotes, and check fine print before you print it.

Run 1: Heading printed twice
Run 2: Every line right
Run 3: Every line right
Run 4: Every line right

A paper price list taped inside a bakery window, photographed from the street. Heading "NOOR'S BREAD". Lines: "Sourdough loaf 6.50", "Dark rye 5.80", "Cardamom bun 3.20", "Croissant 2.90". Small print at the bottom: "Open Tue to Sun, 7:00 to 15:00. Cash and card." Morning reflections on the glass, loaves blurred behind it.

One prompt, four models. Pick a card.

Seedream 5.5 against the models people compare it with, in the same image tool at 2K and 3:4. One run each, timed end to end.

Candid photograph of a fisherman in his sixties at a harbor at noon, squinting into harsh overhead sun, deep wrinkles, sunburned nose, a stained orange oilskin jacket, gulls and boats blurred behind him. Unretouched, natural skin texture, 50mm.

Seedream 5.5 vs 5.0

Spec	Seedream 5.5	5.0 Pro	5.0 Lite	5.0 Flash
Credits per image	2	3 at 1K, 5 at 2K	2	2
Transparent PNG	Yes	No	No	No
Changed after 12 edits	4.3%	82%	Not tested	Not tested
Largest size	2K	2K	3K	2K
Aspect ratios	Auto and 8 fixed	Auto and 5 fixed	8 fixed	Auto and 8 fixed
Reference images	Up to 10	Up to 10	Up to 10	Up to 10
Images per run	1 to 6	1 to 6	1 to 4	1 to 4

Changed after 12 edits: share of the desk photo above that no longer matches the original.

Photos that look taken. Every prompt, as sent.

Seedream 5.5 renders skin, fabric and light with less gloss than 5.0. One run each, no retouching.

A candid horizontal snapshot inside a neighborhood bistro on a summer evening. Two older diners eat at a table with cream linen, unaware of the camera. Glasses, cutlery, breadcrumbs, worn wooden chairs. Warm pendant lights, slight underexposure, high-ISO grain, a wine bottle blurred in the foreground.19.0 s · 2 credits
A warm documentary photograph of a young father reclining on a dark plum sofa, holding a sleeping baby on his chest. Cream knitted cushions and a mustard blanket, golden afternoon light from a window, natural skin, film grain.23.6 s · 2 credits
A white cat sits among bottles and glasses on a bar counter at night. Low angle, tilted composition, direct flash, Fujifilm Provia colors, film grain, bright highlights on glass.26.4 s · 2 credits
A vertical street photograph of a southern European corner: a lemon-yellow limewashed wall, an old deep-purple wooden door, purple linen hanging to dry, golden flowers in a rusty bucket. Hard afternoon sun with crisp shadows, textured plaster.28.8 s · 2 credits
A candid street photograph of a woman in a burgundy top and light brown jacket looking down at her phone while strong wind sweeps her long hair across her sunglasses. The whole frame tilts about 20 degrees, hurried asymmetric framing, overcast city light.26.8 s · 2 credits

How to use Seedream 5.5. In three steps.

In the image tool, through the Creative Agent, or from the Sceneform API.

1
Describe it, or attach up to 10 images
Open Image and pick Seedream 5.5, a size and an aspect ratio. Name each reference by its order: "Figure 1", "Figure 2".
2
Edit the result
Attach the image you got, name the one thing to change, and end with "Keep everything else the same."
3
Keep going
Each round costs 2 credits, with the last image attached for free. Twelve rounds held in our test.

Prompt tips

For a cutout, set Background to Transparent and describe one isolated object.
Put every line of text in quotes, and say where it goes and that it appears once: "one painted sign that reads".
Change one thing per edit. Small steps hold up better than one big rewrite.
Choose Auto as the aspect ratio to let the model pick the shape from the prompt.