Nano Banana vs Seedream
Nano Banana or Seedream: which to use
Use Seedream when a picture needs many reference images or 4K: Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 4.0 take up to 14 references, and a 4K Seedream image starts at $0.04. Pick Nano Banana Pro, at $0.16, for an edit where the details have to hold, or Nano Banana, at $0.05, for a quick edit to try an idea.
Updated
First month free on the Beginner plan, with 650 credits to try any model.
Made in Root
Reference images and the largest size
How many pictures each model uses in one run, whether they change the price, and one image at the model's largest size. In dollars; 100 credits is $1.
| Model | Pictures in one run | Largest size | Image at that size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana | Up to 6, no extra cost | One size | $0.05 |
| Nano Banana Pro | Up to 6, no extra cost | 2K | $0.16 |
| Seedream 5.0 Pro | Up to 10, $0.14 with all 10 | 2K | $0.11 |
| Seedream 5.0 Lite | Up to 14, no extra cost | 4K | $0.05 |
| Seedream 4.5 | Up to 14, no extra cost | 4K | $0.05 |
| Seedream 4.0 | Up to 14, no extra cost | 4K | $0.04 |
The counts include the photo being edited. Seedream 5.0 Pro charges for each picture after the first: a 2K image is $0.11 with none and $0.14 with all 10.
Choose by the picture
- A character or a product from many photos: Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 4.5 or Seedream 4.0, up to 14 references.
- A 4K image: Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 4.5 or Seedream 4.0.
- A 3:2, 2:3 or 21:9 frame: any Seedream model.
- An edit where the details have to hold: Nano Banana Pro.
- The lowest price of these models: Seedream 4.0, $0.04 an image.
Same account, same project
Nano Banana and every Seedream model run in the Root app, by API, and from Claude and ChatGPT. The images from both sit side by side in one project, so you can compare a Seedream take and a Nano Banana take of the same shot.
Related guides
Nano Banana vs Seedream questions
Is Nano Banana or Seedream the one to use?
For a picture built from many reference images, or a 4K image, use Seedream: Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 4.0 take up to 14, and a 4K image starts at $0.04. Use Nano Banana Pro ($0.16) for an edit where the details have to hold.
How many reference images do Nano Banana and Seedream take?
Seedream 5.0 Pro takes up to 10 and Seedream 5.0 Lite, Seedream 4.5 and Seedream 4.0 take up to 14. Nano Banana and Nano Banana Pro use up to 6 pictures in one run, counting the photo you edit, at the same price with one picture or all of them. When a picture has to draw on many photos, such as a cast of characters or a product from every side, use the model with the higher number.
Which makes 4K, Seedream or Nano Banana?
Seedream: Seedream 5.0 Lite at $0.05, Seedream 4.5 at $0.05 and Seedream 4.0 at $0.04. Nano Banana Pro makes up to 2K, and Nano Banana has no size choice.
Which is cheaper, Nano Banana or Seedream?
Of these models, Seedream 4.0 has the lowest price, $0.04 an image. Nano Banana is $0.05 and Nano Banana Pro $0.16. Reference images add a little only on Seedream 5.0 Pro.
Which one makes 3:2, 2:3 and 21:9 images?
Seedream. Every Seedream model makes 3:2, 2:3 and 21:9, which Nano Banana does not. The shapes the two families share are 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3 and 3:4.
Can I try Nano Banana and Seedream for free?
For a month, yes. The first month of Root's Beginner plan is free and comes with 650 credits, enough for 162 Seedream 4.0 images at 4K. After that the plan is $9 a month, and you can cancel whenever you like.
Try Root free for a month
The first month of the Beginner plan is free and comes with 650 credits to spend on any model. After that it's $9 a month, and you can cancel whenever you like.