GPT-Image 1.5 vs Seedream 4.5
Eye-catching and expressive thumbnail imagery — see how these models compare with real AI-generated outputs.
Full comparisonCompare Models (select 4)
Choosing the right image model for YouTube thumbnails comes down to one thing: can it create bold, expressive visuals that stop the scroll—while staying on-brand and readable at small sizes?
This comparison looks at how GPT-Image 1.5 and Seedream 4.5 perform inside Influencer Studio for thumbnail creation, focusing on prompt adherence, visual impact, iteration speed, editing workflows, and credit cost.
YouTube Thumbnail — Side-by-Side Results
Prompt
"Close-up, YouTube thumbnail-style selfie of a 20s influencer with shoulder-length dark hair in a messy bun, wearing an oversized pastel hoodie, holding an iced coffee up to the camera with wide eyes and an exaggerated “OMG” open-mouth expression, looking straight at the phone lens. Candid café setting with colorful menu boards and blurred people in the background, bold saturated colors, high contrast, dynamic diagonal framing like a TikTok thumbnail. Natural window light from the side plus phone-camera flash feel, slightly imperfect handheld composition for authentic UGC vibe."
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-Image 1.5 | Seedream 4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | ByteDance |
| Subcategories | text-to-image | text-to-image, image-to-image |
| 1080p / 2k Mode | Yes | Yes |
| 4k Mode | No | No |
| NSFW Rating | Strict | Low |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 3:4, 4:3 | 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 3:4, 4:3 |
| Starting Price | 8 credits | 16 credits |
GPT-Image 1.5 Strengths
- Strong prompt adherence for quickly nailing a specific thumbnail concept (pose, props, setting, mood)
- High-fidelity output that supports crisp, attention-grabbing subjects and detailed scenes
- Flexible cost scaling (8/16/32 credits) to match draft vs final thumbnail needs
- Reliable for generating multiple distinct concepts from varied prompts (useful for A/B testing ideas)
Seedream 4.5 Strengths
- Image-to-image editing for refining an existing thumbnail (swap background, adjust vibe, iterate on a winning layout)
- High-resolution output suited to clean crops, punch-in framing, and sharp subject separation
- Versatile style range (from realistic to graphic/illustrative looks) for different channel aesthetics
- Simple, predictable pricing at 16 credits per image for consistent iteration planning
Verdict
Pick GPT-Image 1.5 when you want fast, accurate text-to-image generation for new thumbnail concepts—especially if you’re exploring multiple directions and want dependable prompt-following with the option to produce lower-cost drafts.
Pick Seedream 4.5 when your workflow depends on editing—iterating on an existing thumbnail, preserving composition while changing elements, or polishing a near-winner into a final, high-resolution version.
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