Use Seedream 5.5 online: images, edits and transparent PNGs
Seedream 5.5 is ByteDance’s new image model, with sharper small text, natural skin and native transparent backgrounds. Make images from text or edit up to 10 reference photos.
- Pay per image, no subscription
- Transparent PNGs at any size
- Animate any image into a video
What is Seedream 5.5?
Seedream 5.5 is ByteDance Seed's image model, released November 9, 2026. ByteDance says it keeps unedited areas intact across up to 100 rounds of edits and renders dense small text better; it also makes transparent PNGs natively. Use it here from text or up to 10 reference photos, at 1K to 2K.
What is Seedream 5.5 good at?
Small print, natural skin and cut-out assets. These were made on VisionMorphic with the prompt under each one; none were retouched.
How do I make a transparent PNG with Seedream 5.5?
Set Background to Transparent and keep PNG. Seedream 5.5 draws the alpha channel itself, so there is no background-removal step and no halo around the edges.
Describe the subject alone
Say what the sticker, logo or product cut-out shows and end with "on a transparent background". Leave the scene out.
Set Background to Transparent
Keep the format on PNG; JPEG has no alpha channel. Any size works, 1K to 2K, at the same price as a normal image.
Download the PNG
The file comes back with transparency already in it, ready for a slide, a shop listing or a print-on-demand mockup.
Can Seedream 5.5 edit a photo and keep the label?
Yes. We made a product shot, then gave it back as a reference and asked for a new scene. The dripper's color and shape, the carafe and every word on the bag stayed the same.
To edit, open any result and press Edit this image, or add your own photo. Want the scene to move? Use the image as the start frame in image to video with Seedance 2.5.
Seedream 5.5 vs GPT Image 2.6: which should I use?
Seedream 5.5 for lower cost and transparent assets at any size; GPT Image 2.6 for 4K, GIFs and very long prompts. Both are in the Image menu, on the same credits.
| Feature | Seedream 5.5 | GPT Image 2.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | ByteDance Seed, November 9, 2026 | OpenAI, November 4, 2026 |
| Credits per image | 2 at 1K and 1.5K, 3 at 2K | 4 at 1K, 7 at 2K, 10 at 4K |
| Largest size | 2K (2816 × 1584 at 16:9) | 4K (3840 × 2160 at 16:9), paid plans |
| Transparent background | At every size | 1K only |
| Reference images | Up to 10, 10 MB each | Up to 16, 30 MB each |
| Aspect ratios | 8, plus Auto when editing | 15, plus Auto |
| Prompt length | 5,000 characters | 20,000 characters |
| File types | PNG, JPEG | PNG, JPEG, WEBP, animated GIF |
| Versions | One | Flare (fast) and Sunburst (refined) |
What size are Seedream 5.5 images?
A 2K image is up to 2816 pixels on the long side, about a 9.4-inch print at 300 ppi. These are the sizes our own generations came back at.
| Setting | Pixels | Print at 300 ppi |
|---|---|---|
| 1K · 1:1 | 1024 × 1024 | 3.4 × 3.4 in |
| 1K · 16:9 | 1424 × 800 | 4.7 × 2.7 in |
| 1.5K · 1:1 | 1536 × 1536 | 5.1 × 5.1 in |
| 1.5K · 16:9 | 2048 × 1152 | 6.8 × 3.8 in |
| 2K · 1:1 | 2048 × 2048 | 6.8 × 6.8 in |
| 2K · 4:3 | 2368 × 1776 | 7.9 × 5.9 in |
| 2K · 2:3 | 1664 × 2496 | 5.5 × 8.3 in |
| 2K · 16:9 | 2816 × 1584 | 9.4 × 5.3 in |
How much does Seedream 5.5 cost?
2 credits for a 1K or 1.5K image and 3 for 2K, plus 1 credit per reference image. A one-time pack of 250 credits for $4.99 makes about 125 images at 1K with no subscription.
- One 1K or 1.5K image
- 2 credits
- One 2K image
- 3 credits
- Each reference image
- +1 credit
- Transparent or opaque background, JPEG
- No extra cost
- One-time credit pack
- 250 credits for $4.99, about 125 images at 1K or 83 at 2K
- Visible watermark
- None, on every plan
- Storage on Free
- 7 days
- Commercial use
- Basic, Pro and Ultra; not on Free
- Free trial
- 1 image a day with the free credits; resets at 00:00 UTC
Credits as of November 11, 2026. Purchased credits are valid for 12 months and work with every image and video model.
How do I use Seedream 5.5 online?
Sign in and add credits
Sign in with Google, no card needed. Credit packs start at 250 credits for $4.99, with no subscription.
Write a prompt or add photos
Describe the image and any words it should show. To edit, restyle or combine, add up to 10 reference images; Auto then keeps the reference's shape.
Generate, then download or animate
Pick the shape, 1K, 1.5K or 2K, and the background. The button shows the cost first, failed images return their credits, and any result can go straight to video.
Questions
What is new in Seedream 5.5?
ByteDance says Seedream 5.5 keeps unedited parts of an image unchanged across many rounds of edits, renders small and dense text more accurately, makes transparent backgrounds natively, and gives skin, lighting and materials a more natural look than Seedream 5.0 Pro.
Can Seedream 5.5 make a PNG with a transparent background?
Yes. Set Background to Transparent and keep the format on PNG. It works at 1K, 1.5K and 2K and costs the same as any image, 2 credits at 1K. The sticker on this page came back with a real alpha channel.
Can Seedream 5.5 edit my own photos?
Yes. Add up to 10 JPG, PNG or WEBP images of up to 10 MB each and say what to change. Each reference image adds 1 credit, and the Auto ratio keeps the shape of your reference.
Seedream 5.5 or GPT Image 2.6: which should I use?
Seedream 5.5 costs about half as much (2 credits against 4 at 1K) and makes transparent PNGs at every size. Pick GPT Image 2.6 for 4K, animated GIFs, WEBP files or more than 10 reference images. See GPT Image 2.6.
Can I turn a Seedream 5.5 image into a video?
Yes, in one click. Open the image and press Animate this image: the video generator opens with it as the start frame, on the same account and credits. Pick Seedance, Kling, MiniMax, Wan, Grok Imagine or Gemini Omni and describe the motion. See how image to video works.
Which video models can animate a Seedream 5.5 image?
Seedance 2.5 and 2.0, Kling 4.0, 4.0 Flash and 3.0, MiniMax H3, Wan 3.0, Grok Imagine 1.5 and Gemini Omni 1.2 Flash all take it as the start frame. Kling 4.0 and MiniMax H3 always add sound, Seedance 2.5 goes up to 30 seconds, and the generator shows each video's credit cost before you submit. Compare the video models on the same prompts.
How big can I print a Seedream 5.5 image?
A 2K image in 16:9 is 2816 × 1584 pixels: 9.4 × 5.3 inches at 300 ppi for close viewing, or 18.8 × 10.6 inches at 150 ppi for a poster seen from a few feet away. A 2K square is 2048 × 2048, 6.8 inches a side at 300 ppi. For bigger prints, GPT Image 2.6 goes up to 4K.
Can I use Seedream 5.5 images commercially?
Yes on Basic, Pro and Ultra, for ads, product listings and items you sell. Images made on the Free plan are for personal use only.
Can I use Seedream 5.5 for free?
Yes, as a daily free trial: 1 image a day with the free credits, at any size up to 2K, resetting at 00:00 UTC. With a credit pack (from 250 credits for $4.99) or a paid plan there is no daily limit.
Is this the official ByteDance website?
No. VisionMorphic is an independent product that runs Seedream 5.5 through an API provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by ByteDance.
Make the image, then make it move
Pay per image with no subscription, cut-out PNGs included, and send any result to video in one click.
Try Seedream 5.5