Correction, 2026-10-02: the page said Seedream takes up to 14 reference images; that is Seedream 5 Lite, while Seedream 5 Pro, which the tool opens on, takes 10. It also recommended Nano Banana Pro for spelled-out text on our own say-so; that is now Google's claim, quoted and sourced, in every place the page mentions it. It said all three makers offer 21:9: on FLUX.2 [pro] a 21:9 pick comes out as 16:9, so of the three, only Nano Banana and Seedream 5 make 21:9. And it called FLUX the cheapest to generate, when Seedream 4 costs the same 5 credits as FLUX.2 [pro].
Correction, 2026-09-30: the first version of this page described a June 2026 test with generation times and per-model verdicts we cannot reproduce, listed Flux Klein and Flux 1.1 Ultra as available on 8frame (they are not), described a web-search layer in Seedream we cannot source, and gave per-image dollar prices that don't match 8frame's. This version keeps only what we can check.
Nano Banana, Seedream and FLUX differ less in "which is best" than in what they let you do and what they cost. On 8frame: Nano Banana (Google) goes up to 4K, offers the most shapes of the three including 4:5, takes up to 10 reference images, and Google says Nano Banana Pro renders "more accurate, legible text directly in the image" (still read every word back); 11 credits at 1K on Nano Banana 2, 21 on Pro. Seedream (ByteDance) takes the most references, up to 14 on Seedream 5 Lite (10 on 5 Pro, the version the tool opens on), and is cheap: 6 credits on Seedream 5 Lite. FLUX (Black Forest Labs) costs 5 credits on FLUX.2 [pro], the lowest price of the three makers (tied with Seedream 4), and comes with two editors. The best way to choose is the same prompt on all three; this page gives you the facts and the prompt.
TL;DR
| Nano Banana | Seedream | FLUX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | ByteDance | Black Forest Labs | |
| Versions on 8frame | Standard, 2, Pro | 4, 5 Lite, 5 Pro | FLUX.2 [pro], FLUX 1.1 Pro |
| Credits per image | 6 (Standard), 8 to 22 (2), 21 or 42 at 4K (Pro) | 5 (4), 6 (5 Lite), 7 at 1K or 13 at 2K (5 Pro) | 5 (FLUX.2 [pro]), 6 (1.1 Pro) |
| Largest size | 4K | 3K (5 Lite) | About one megapixel (FLUX.2 [pro]) |
| Reference images | Up to 10 | Up to 14 on 5 Lite, 10 on 5 Pro | One, on FLUX 1.1 Pro only (FLUX.2 [pro] takes none) |
| Shapes | 10, including 4:5 and 21:9 | 8 on Seedream 5, including 21:9, no 4:5 | 6 in the picker, but FLUX.2 [pro] turns a 21:9 pick into 16:9 |
| Editing | Edits with your image as a reference | Seedream 5 Pro Layerize splits an image into layers (78) | Flux Edit (from 7), Kontext Max (13) |
All from 8frame's pricing code and settings, checked 2026-10-02. A credit is $0.01 at pack rate.
Which to use for which brief
| Brief | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Words in the image (packaging, posters, UI) | Nano Banana Pro | Google pitches it for legible text; read every word back before you ship |
| 4K output without upscaling | Nano Banana 2 (22) or Pro (42) | The only image models with a 4K setting on 8frame |
| Instagram feed 4:5 | Nano Banana | The only image generator here with 4:5 |
| Many fixed elements (product, set, wardrobe, light) | Seedream 5 Lite | Up to 14 reference images (5 Pro takes 10) |
| Cheapest drafts and variations | FLUX.2 [pro] (5), Seedream 4 (5) or Seedream 5 Lite (6) | The lowest per-image prices of the three makers |
| Editing an existing image | Flux Edit (from 7) or Kontext Max (13) | Instruction edits on your image |
| Splitting an image into layers for a designer | Seedream 5 Pro Layerize (78) | Separates the image into layers |
| Wide 21:9 banners | Nano Banana or Seedream 5 | Both make 21:9; FLUX.2 [pro] returns 16:9 for a 21:9 pick |
Run the comparison yourself
Use one prompt that stresses the things that matter in real work: reflections on a curved surface, soft directional light and clean background separation.
A minimalist black coffee cup on a white marble countertop, soft morning window light entering from the left, shallow depth of field, steam rising gently, editorial product photography, no text, no props.
What to compare: the highlight on the glaze, the shadow falling to the right of the cup (the light comes from the left), the steam's translucency, and whether the marble looks photographed or rendered.
One image each on Nano Banana 2 (11 at 1K), Seedream 5 Lite (6) and FLUX.2 [pro] (5) costs 22 credits, about $0.22. Add Nano Banana Pro (21) if the final will carry text.
A typical production chain
- Explore on FLUX.2 [pro] or Seedream 5 Lite: a dozen directions for 60 to 72 credits.
- Lock the hero on Nano Banana Pro, or Seedream 5 Pro with your references.
- Make variants of the hero with Flux Edit (from 7 per edit) or Nano Banana with the hero as a reference.
- Size for delivery: 4K on Nano Banana, or BRIA upscale (6 credits, 2x or 4x, up to 8192 x 8192).
Other image models on 8frame
| Model | Credits per image | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Imagen 4 Fast / 4 / Ultra (Google) | 4 / 8 / 12 | No resolution setting |
| Midjourney V8 | 32 per job of four | 8 per image |
| GPT Image 2 (OpenAI) | 2 (low) to 29 (high, square) | Up to 10 references |
| Grok Image 2.0 | 9 | 2:1 and 1:2 shapes |
| Qwen Image 3 | 6 (1K), 11 (2K) | 1 to 6 images per request |
| Reve | 34 | Generate, edit, remix |
Full list in AI image generator price per image.
FAQ
What is the best AI image model in 2026?
There isn't one for every brief. For lettering, start with Nano Banana Pro, which Google pitches for legible text (check every word); for 4K, Nano Banana 2 or Pro. For many reference images, Seedream 5 Lite (up to 14). For the cheapest drafts and instruction edits, FLUX. Run your own prompt on all three; it costs about 22 credits.
How does Nano Banana compare to Seedream?
On 8frame, Nano Banana goes to 4K and offers 4:5; Seedream 5 Lite takes more references (14 against 10; Seedream 5 Pro also takes 10) and costs less at its cheapest (6 credits for Seedream 5 Lite against 11 for Nano Banana 2 at 1K).
Is Flux Klein or Flux 1.1 Ultra on 8frame?
No. FLUX on 8frame is FLUX.2 [pro] (5 credits) and FLUX 1.1 Pro (6), plus the Flux Edit and Kontext Max editors.
How much does AI image generation cost per image?
On 8frame, 2 to 42 credits ($0.02 to $0.42 at pack rate) depending on model and settings; most models cost 5 to 11.
Can I use all three from one platform?
Yes. Nano Banana, Seedream and FLUX are all on the 8frame canvas, side by side, paid from the same credit balance. Through 8frame's MCP connector the choice is narrower: Nano Banana there is the 6-credit Classic (no Nano Banana 2 or Pro), Seedream is 5 Pro at 7 and FLUX is FLUX.2 [pro] at 5.
Sources
- Nano Banana Pro and legible text: Google, "Nano Banana Pro" (published 2025-11-20), checked 2026-10-02
- Seedream reference limits (5 Pro 10, 5 Lite 14): 8frame image generation code, read 2026-10-02
- FLUX.2 [pro] output sizes (1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3 and 3:4 presets of about one megapixel, so 21:9 maps to 16:9) and its refusal of reference images: 8frame FLUX generation code, read 2026-10-02
- 8frame image models, prices, resolutions, shapes and reference limits: the 8frame tool registry and aspect-ratio configuration, checked 2026-10-02
- Models reachable through the MCP connector: 8frame MCP tool configuration, read 2026-10-02
Same prompt, three models, your eyes.
Try it without signing up: the 8frame canvas opens on a real board. The canvas is free and unlimited; generation is paid from $19/month.