Grok Imagine vs Seedream 5 Pro: Which AI Model in 2026?
Grok Imagine (xAI) vs Seedream 5 Pro (ByteDance): a side-by-side comparison of price, provider, availability, and payment. Both run on 97AI.PRO through one API — typically well below official rates, with USDC/Alipay/card and no charge for failed jobs.
Side by side
| Grok Imagine | Seedream 5 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | xAI | ByteDance |
| Type | Text to Image | Text to Image |
| Price on 97AI | $0.0263 per 4 images | $0.0026 per image |
| Official price | $0.05 per 4 images | $0.003 per image |
| Savings vs official | 47% | 13% |
| Payment | USDC · Card · Alipay | USDC · Card · Alipay |
| Works in China / no card | Yes | Yes |
Verdict
Both Seedream 5 Pro and Grok Imagine run through 97AI's single API with USDC, card, or Alipay — and both cost $0 on failed generations. On price, Seedream 5 Pro is the lower-cost option at $0.0026 per image (13% below ByteDance's official rate), while Grok Imagine runs $0.0263 per 4 images. Pick Seedream 5 Pro for cost-sensitive volume; choose Grok Imagine if its output quality better fits your use case. You can test both on one balance without committing to either provider.
Frequently asked
Is Grok Imagine or Seedream 5 Pro cheaper?+
On 97AI.PRO, Grok Imagine is $0.0263 per 4 images and Seedream 5 Pro is $0.0026 per image. Both are billed only on success and are typically well below the providers' official prices.
Can I use both Grok Imagine and Seedream 5 Pro with one account?+
Yes. 97AI.PRO exposes both through a single unified API and one credit balance — switch models by changing one field, no separate signups or provider contracts.
How do I pay without a credit card?+
Both models accept USDC (Arbitrum) and Alipay in addition to credit cards, so you can use them from China, LATAM, and other regions where international cards fail.
Do failed generations cost money?+
No — for both Grok Imagine and Seedream 5 Pro, only successful output is charged.