Nano Banana vs GPT Image vs Grok vs Seedream: Best AI Image Model (2026)
Choose your settings and review the credit cost before generating.
Create your first videoThe right AI image model depends on what you're making. Viralance offers six image models in one picker. This guide compares them on what we can state precisely — credit cost, maximum resolution where published, and what each is designed for — as of September 26, 2026.
The six models at a glance
- Nano Banana (Google) — realistic, budget-friendly all-rounder; a sensible default. Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model.
- Nano Banana Pro (Google) — Google's Gemini 3 Pro Image model, built for complex instructions and legible text, with 1K, 2K or 4K output (Google).
- GPT Image (OpenAI) — strong at text, logos and precise instruction-based edits; low, medium or high quality.
- GPT Image 2.5 Flare (OpenAI) — creates and revises images with up to three reference images; medium quality, up to 1024px.
- Grok Imagine (xAI) — expressive, high-contrast look; good for fast, cheap idea tests.
- Seedream 5.0 Pro (ByteDance) — flagship model with reasoning and sharp text, up to 2K.
Cost on Viralance
| Model | Credits per image | Maximum resolution in Viralance | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano Banana | 1 | Not specified | Realistic default |
| Grok Imagine | 1 | Not specified | Cheap concept tests |
| Seedream 5.0 Pro | 1 | Up to 2K | Sharp text, detailed scenes |
| GPT Image | 1 (low / medium), 2 (high) | Not specified | Text, logos, precise edits |
| GPT Image 2.5 Flare | 2 | Up to 1024px | Revising with up to 3 references |
| Nano Banana Pro | 2 (1K or 2K), 4 (4K) | 4K | Maximum detail, text, diagrams |
A credit costs $0.30 on the Mini pack ($9 for 30 credits) and about $0.18 on the Business pack ($299 for 1,650), so a 1-credit image costs 18–30 cents and a 4K Nano Banana Pro image $0.72–$1.20. Credits are one-time purchases and do not expire.
We do not publish speed figures: generation time varies with the provider's load and the settings you choose.
Which model should you use?
Nano Banana
For realistic product shots, lifestyle scenes, characters and backgrounds at 1 credit. Start here unless you have a specific reason not to.
GPT Image or Nano Banana Pro
When the image needs readable text, a logo, typography or a diagram. Generated lettering can still come out wrong, so check spelling before you publish. GPT Image at low or medium quality is 1 credit; Nano Banana Pro is 2 credits.
Grok Imagine
For brainstorming: generate several 1-credit variations, then re-render the direction you like on another model.
Seedream 5.0 Pro
For detailed scenes and sharp in-image text at 1 credit, up to 2K. It also powers an image-to-image edit mode in Create Image.
Nano Banana Pro at 4K
For hero images, print or large displays, where 4K is worth 4 credits.
GPT Image 2.5 Flare
When you want to revise a visual using up to three reference images, for example keeping a product consistent across scenes. Viralance's product workflows use it for "Revise image".
A simple decision rule
- Default → Nano Banana (1 credit)
- Needs text or a logo → GPT Image (1–2 credits) or Nano Banana Pro (2 credits)
- Just testing → Grok Imagine (1 credit)
- Needs 4K → Nano Banana Pro (4 credits)
- Needs references → GPT Image 2.5 Flare (2 credits)
The fairest test is to run the same prompt on two or three models and compare. With 4 free credits after email verification, you can try up to four 1-credit images.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best overall AI image model in 2026? There is no single winner. For most everyday images, Nano Banana is a good balance of quality and cost on Viralance (1 credit). For text-heavy images, try GPT Image or Nano Banana Pro; for 4K, Nano Banana Pro.
Which AI image model is cheapest on Viralance? Nano Banana, Grok Imagine, Seedream 5.0 Pro and GPT Image at low or medium quality all cost 1 credit per image.
Which model renders text best? GPT Image and Nano Banana Pro are designed for legible text, and Seedream 5.0 Pro is described as producing sharp text. Always proofread generated lettering.
Can I try all of them? Yes. All six are in the same Create Image picker and share one credit balance.
Keep going — related questions
- How do I generate AI images for TikTok and Reels?
- How do I animate an AI image into a video?
- AI image generator features
Compare them yourself. Create a Viralance account, run the same prompt on two models, keep the best — then animate it into a video.
