Seedance
ByteDance's video model family — multi-shot 1080p generation, reached through Dreamina or the BytePlus API.
- Web
- Why it's listed
- Multi-shot generation and 1080p output put it level with the top Chinese video models.
- Consider before using
- There is no standalone Seedance site or subscription; you use someone else's front end.
From the vendor's site: Seedance is ByteDance's text-to-video and image-to-video model family. Unlike Kling or Hailuo it is not sold as a standalone consumer app, so overseas users reach it either through Dreamina (the AI side of CapCut) or by paying per token through the BytePlus ModelArk API.
What it is
Seedance is a video generation model rather than a product: you give it text, an image, or both, and it renders a clip. ByteDance's own description of Seedance 1.0 highlights multi-shot generation — several cuts inside one generation — plus 1080p output and prompt adherence. Later versions pushed further: Seedance 2.0 added audio and visual reference inputs, and Seedance 2.5 was announced for thirty-second storytelling with reference control.
The important practical point is the missing middle. Kling, Hailuo and PixVerse all sell you a subscription on their own website; Seedance does not. There is no seedance.com to sign up to, which is why search results for it are dominated by API documentation and by third-party "alternatives" pages.
Where you actually use it
| Route | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Dreamina (consumer) | free daily credits; paid plans from about $9/mo | The easiest way to try the Seedance models — same app that also serves the image models |
| BytePlus ModelArk (API) | pay per token; text-to-video and image-to-video priced the same | Model IDs such as seedance-1-0-pro and the lighter -fast variant |
| Volcengine (China) | CNY packages, from about ¥200 | 480p–1080p output, 4–15 second clips, auto-converts to pay-as-you-go when a package runs out |
If you are a normal user, Dreamina is the answer: it is the consumer front end for the ByteDance video models and it keeps a free daily allowance. If you are building something, the API is the answer, and BytePlus is the overseas route while Volcengine is the domestic one.
Verdict
The strongest model of the group with the least friendly packaging. Recommended if you already generate through Dreamina, or if you are wiring a video model into a product and want a documented per-token API. If you just want to type a prompt and download a clip, Kling or Hailuo will get you there faster.
FAQ
Is Seedance free? There is no free Seedance tier of its own. Free access means the daily credits inside Dreamina; API usage is billed per token from the first request.
What is the difference between Seedance 1.0, 2.0 and 2.5? 1.0 is the multi-shot 1080p generation model most documentation still refers to. 2.0 adds audio and image/video reference inputs for tighter consistency. 2.5 was announced as a thirty-second storytelling model with reference control.
Can I use Seedance outside China? Yes. Dreamina is available internationally through CapCut, and BytePlus provides overseas API access to the model family.
Does Seedance have open weights? No. If you want a Chinese video model you can download and self-host, Wan is the one to look at.
Last checked: October 2026. Pricing and features change fast — confirm current numbers on the official site.