Seedream 5.5 is ByteDance's newer realistic image model on NightCafe. It launched on 13 November 2026 as a PRO model.
Use it for polished, realistic images and for prompt-to-edit that keeps the parts you did not mention the same. A new image starts at 2 credits (about 1K). You can add up to 10 reference images, choose a transparent PNG background, and go up to about 2K.
Independent Artificial Analysis text-to-image arenas place Seedream 5.5 about 10th (Elo about 1134, as of 13 November 2026). That is just ahead of Muse Image and ahead of Seedream 5.0 Pro. It is not a match for GPT Image max quality or Nano Banana 2.1 on that board.
On NightCafe, Seedream 5.5 is a strong 2-credit choice at 1K when you want realism, references, or a transparent background. It is not the everyday one-credit pick. For most prompts, start with GPT Image 2.5 Flare on Quality Low. Muse Image is still the 2-credit model that is unlimited on AI Creator and above. Seedream 5.0 Flash stays at a flat 2 credits for 1K or 2K, with reference images included — cheaper than 5.5 once you add several references or choose 2K.
Curious how it looks next to other models? NightCafe's free AI Model Comparison has a text-to-image grid and an Image Editing grid.
In Studio, pick Seedream 5.5 from the model picker (ByteDance). Write a prompt, optionally add start images, set Resolution and Background, then Generate.
Resolution defaults to Medium (about 1K, 2 credits). High is about 2K (3.5 credits). There is no 4K setting.
Background defaults to Opaque. Transparent (PNG) is for a new generation. Prompt to Edit always produces an opaque image, even if the picture you are editing had a transparent background.
You can keep a start image's aspect ratio, or pick one of 15 ratios: 1:1, 3:4, 4:3, 9:16, 16:9, 2:3, 3:2, 4:5, 5:4, 10:16, 16:10, 1:2, 2:1, 1:3, and 3:1. The default is 1:1. Matching a start image changes the shape only. It does not change the resolution or the price.
Each reference image, including images on a consistent character, costs 0.75 credits and counts toward the limit of 10. A 1K image with no references is 2 credits. One reference makes it 2.75. Two references make it 3.5. Ten references make it 9.5. At 2K, add those same reference credits on top of 3.5.
Write a clear brief: subject, action, setting, camera, and any exact text in quotation marks. For an edit, add the image as a start image and describe only the change. For several references, give each image a job (for example one face, one outfit, one background).
A die-cut sticker of a red enamel kettle, thick white outline, soft studio light, no floor shadow. Transparent background.
Change the kettle to matte sage green and keep the outline, lighting, and sticker shape the same.
Credits below are for one image before reference images. Multiply by the number of images you generate (up to 4). Add 0.75 credits for every reference image.
| Resolution | About | Credits before references |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (default) | ~1K | 2 |
| High | ~2K | 3.5 |
Prompt to Edit uses the source size, then adds 0.75 credits for that image: 2.75 for a 1K source and 4.25 for a 2K source. Edits do not use the transparent background option.
Seedream 5.5 is not an unlimited model, and it is not available on free accounts.
| Seedream 5.5 | Seedream 5.0 Flash | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Newer realistic Seedream, transparent PNG | Flat price, including 2K and references |
| PRO | Yes | Yes |
| 1K, no references | 2 | 2 |
| 2K, no references | 3.5 | 2 |
| Reference images | Up to 10, 0.75 credits each | Up to 10, included |
| Prompt to Edit | 2.75 (1K) or 4.25 (2K), always opaque | 2 |
| Transparent PNG | Yes, on a new generation | No |
| 4K | No — use Seedream 4.0 or 4.5 | No — use Seedream 4.0 or 4.5 |
See also Seedream on NightCafe, Seedream 5.0 Flash on NightCafe, and the NightCafe AI Models Guide.