Seedream 5.5 vs GPT Image 2.6 vs Nano Banana Pro: Same Prompt Test

We ran the same five prompts once each on Seedream 5.5, GPT Image 2.6 Flare and Nano Banana Pro, at 1K, and kept the first result. All three spelled the text correctly. Seedream 5.5 and Nano Banana Pro got a counting test right where GPT Image 2.6 did not. GPT Image 2.6 followed a “close-up” instruction most closely, and Nano Banana Pro followed layout notes best. On VdoBloom a 1K image costs 2 credits on Seedream 5.5, 3 on GPT Image 2.6 and 18 on Nano Banana Pro.

Tested 10 November 2026. One take per model per prompt, no re-rolls, no editing.

Quick result

Test	Seedream 5.5	GPT Image 2.6 Flare	Nano Banana Pro
Neon sign text	Correct	Correct	Correct
Close-up portrait	Good, framed looser	Good, closest to the brief	Good, framed wider
Product label	Correct, followed the brief	Correct text, changed the liquid colour	Correct, followed the brief
Counting (5 + 3 + 1)	Correct	Wrong (3 lemons, not 5)	Correct
Watercolour illustration	Good, full scene	Good	Good, most white space
Credits at 1K on VdoBloom	2	3	18

This is five prompts, one take each. It shows how the models behaved on these prompts on this day; it is not a ranking of the models in general. Run your own prompt before you decide.

How we tested

Models: Seedream 5.5, GPT Image 2.6 Flare and Nano Banana Pro, all as they run on VdoBloom.
Settings: 1K, square 1:1, default settings, the same prompt text for all three.
Rule: first result only. No second tries and no editing.
What we looked at: did it do what the prompt said, is the text right, is the count right.

The five tests

Test 1: a neon sign with exact words

Prompt: “A neon sign glowing in a rainy night alley that reads "MIDNIGHT NOODLES", steam rising from a food stall below, reflections on wet pavement, cinematic photo.”

All three spelled “MIDNIGHT NOODLES” correctly. GPT Image 2.6 added a noodle-bowl icon and the most colour; Nano Banana Pro kept the sign cleanest; Seedream 5.5 gave the moodiest alley.

Our pick: Tie.

Test 2: a close-up portrait

Prompt: “Close-up portrait photo of an elderly fisherman with a grey beard and a yellow raincoat, standing on a harbour at dawn, weathered skin, natural skin texture, soft morning light, 85mm lens.”

All three produced a believable fisherman with real skin texture. GPT Image 2.6 followed “close-up” most literally. Seedream 5.5 chose a turned head and a softer, more cinematic frame. Nano Banana Pro framed wider, with the harbour in view.

Our pick: GPT Image 2.6 for following the framing; the other two are a matter of taste.

Test 3: a product photo with a label

Prompt: “Studio product photo of a clear glass perfume bottle with a gold cap, the label reads "AURA", standing on wet black stone with small water drops, one soft light from the left, dark background.”

All three wrote “AURA” correctly. Seedream 5.5 and Nano Banana Pro kept the bottle clear, as asked. GPT Image 2.6 tinted the liquid gold and decorated the label, which looks rich but is not what the prompt said.

Our pick: Seedream 5.5 and Nano Banana Pro.

Test 4: counting objects

Prompt: “Top-down photo of exactly five lemons, three limes and one orange arranged in a single neat row on a plain blue tablecloth, even daylight.”

The prompt asked for exactly five lemons, three limes and one orange in a row. Seedream 5.5 and Nano Banana Pro both got the count right. GPT Image 2.6 drew three lemons instead of five.

Our pick: Seedream 5.5 and Nano Banana Pro.

Test 5: a watercolour illustration

Prompt: “Children's book watercolour illustration of a small red fox reading a book under a big oak tree, soft pastel colours, gentle paper texture, lots of white space around.”

All three are usable children’s book art. Nano Banana Pro followed “lots of white space” best. Seedream 5.5 filled the page with a full meadow scene. GPT Image 2.6 sits between the two.

Our pick: Nano Banana Pro for following the layout note.

Speed and price

	Seedream 5.5	GPT Image 2.6 Flare	Nano Banana Pro
Time per image in these tests	14 to 46 s	30 to 69 s	33 to 49 s
Credits at 1K	2	3	18
Credits at 2K	3	4	18
Largest size	2K	4K (7 credits)	4K (24 credits)

Times include waiting in the queue and change with load, so read them as a rough guide.

Which one should you use?

Lots of drafts or everyday images: Seedream 5.5. It was the lowest-priced of the three here and did not miss a test.
Odd shapes, long prompts, or 4K: GPT Image 2.6. It has 15 aspect ratios plus auto and goes up to 4K. Check counts in the result.
Layout notes and careful instruction-following: Nano Banana Pro did well on both in these tests, at a higher credit price.

A cheap way to work: draft the idea on Seedream 5.5 at 2 credits, then run the final prompt on the model that suits the job.

Frequently asked questions

Is Seedream 5.5 better than GPT Image 2.6?

In our five tests Seedream 5.5 followed the prompt on every one, and GPT Image 2.6 missed the counting test and changed one product detail. GPT Image 2.6 followed the portrait framing more closely and offers 4K and more aspect ratios. Neither is better at everything.

Which model is best for text in images?

All three spelled our sign and our product label correctly on the first take. For short text, any of them worked.

Which is the cheapest?

On VdoBloom at 1K: Seedream 5.5 is 2 credits, GPT Image 2.6 is 3, Nano Banana Pro is 18.

Can I try all three free?

New accounts get 10 free credits with no card. That covers five Seedream 5.5 images, or three GPT Image 2.6 images. Free downloads carry a watermark, which is removed after any credit pack or plan.

Try the same test yourself in the AI image generator, or read the Seedream 5.5 guide, the Seedream 5.5 prompt guide and the GPT Image 2.6 guide.