Short answer: Choose Seedance 1.5 Pro to start with free credits on sign-up and test prompts and the API workflow using quotes before generation; choose Seedance 2.5 for clips up to 30 seconds, up to 50 references and targeted editing. Both use the same API, with model IDs seedance-1.5-pro and seedance-2.5.
Should I choose Seedance 1.5 Pro or Seedance 2.5?
Start with Seedance 1.5 Pro when your priority is trying generation with free credits on sign-up. The web starter allocation works only with Seedance 1.5 Pro. Paid access unlocks Seedance 2.5, which supports text-to-video, image-to-video and MP4 download.
Choose Seedance 2.5 when your project needs a clip up to 30 seconds, up to 50 references or changes to specific elements of a video. Targeted edits can change clothing, repair objects or redesign the environment without regenerating the entire video.
For an API integration, begin with a prompt and a supported configuration, then request a quote before creating a video. Consult the API models and pricing reference to connect your model choice with its available settings and pricing.
Explore Seedance 2.5 with your reference assets and revision needs in mind, then use the API documentation to check which settings apply to your integration.
How does Seedance 1.5 Pro vs 2.5 compare?
The clearest differences concern starter access, reference support and editing. Seedance 1.5 Pro provides the starting point for free web exploration, while Seedance 2.5 adds the specified duration, reference and editing capabilities.
| Consideration | Seedance 1.5 Pro | Seedance 2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Free credits on sign-up | Web starter allocation applies to this model only | Paid access required |
| Resolution, duration options, aspect ratios | Returned by GET /models | Up to 30s; resolutions returned by GET /models |
| Reference assets | Per GET /models | Up to 50 references, including text, images, audio, video and untextured 3D models |
| Targeted edits without regenerating the whole video | Per GET /models | Available: change clothing, repair objects or redesign the environment |
| API model ID | seedance-1.5-pro | seedance-2.5 |
| Best for | Starting with free credits on sign-up and testing prompts and the API workflow with quotes before generation | Clips up to 30 seconds, up to 50 references and targeted edits |
Check GET /models for current resolutions, supported modes, duration options, aspect ratios and image limits. Use the Seedance 2.5 video resolution guide when planning output settings for a generation.
Can I use free credits on sign-up with both models?
The free credits on sign-up apply only to Seedance 1.5 Pro in the web workflow. Select Seedance 1.5 Pro when starting free, then move to paid access when you need Seedance 2.5.
Use a focused prompt to make your first result easier to assess. Describe the subject, intended movement and composition, then review whether the generated scene follows those instructions. Keep a copy of the prompt so later revisions have a clear starting point.
For API cost planning, read the account balance with GET /credits/balance and quote the intended request. A quote lets you inspect the generation cost without generating a video or charging credits.
Where does Seedance 1.5 Pro sit among Seedance versions?
Seedance 1.5 Pro appears in the API catalog alongside the following Seedance versions. Seedance 1.0 is an earlier generation in the version lineup.
- Seedance 2.5: seedance-2.5
- Seedance 2.5 Lite: seedance-2.5-lite
- Seedance 2.0 Pro: seedance-2.0-pro
- Seedance 2.0 Fast: seedance-2.0-fast
- Seedance 2.0 Mini: seedance-2.0-mini
- Seedance 1.5 Pro: seedance-1.5-pro
Choose the exact model ID when preparing a request. For integration guidance involving the Seedance 2.0 lineup, read the Seedance 2.0 API guide.
How do I call the Seedance 1.5 Pro API and switch to 2.5?
Use the same API workflow for both models: inspect supported settings, prepare a request, obtain a quote and create the generation. Store the API base address in $SEEDANCE_BASE_URL and authenticate with the Authorization: Bearer $SEEDANCE_API_KEY header.
The Bash template uses placeholders for duration and the credit cap. Replace both placeholders with numeric values before running the template, and make every selected value match GET /models. Review the quote before running the creation command.
# Set SEEDANCE_BASE_URL and SEEDANCE_API_KEY in your environment.
# Replace YOUR_DURATION_SECONDS and YOUR_MAX_CREDITS with numeric values.
# Mode, duration and aspect ratio values must match GET /models.
curl --request GET "$SEEDANCE_BASE_URL/models" \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SEEDANCE_API_KEY"
cat > request.json <<'JSON'
{
"model": "seedance-1.5-pro",
"mode": "text-to-video",
"prompt": "A paper sailboat moves across a quiet pond as the camera follows gently.",
"parameters": {
"duration_seconds": YOUR_DURATION_SECONDS,
"aspect_ratio": "16:9"
},
"max_cost_credits": YOUR_MAX_CREDITS
}
JSON
# Quote first: returns cost_credits without generating or charging.
curl --request POST "$SEEDANCE_BASE_URL/quotes" \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SEEDANCE_API_KEY" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data-binary @request.json
# Review the quote before continuing.
# Supply an Idempotency-Key for this generation request.
curl --request POST "$SEEDANCE_BASE_URL/videos" \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SEEDANCE_API_KEY" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--header "Idempotency-Key: YOUR_UNIQUE_REQUEST_KEY" \
--data-binary @request.json
# Switch to "model":"seedance-2.5" in a separate request body.
sed 's/"seedance-1.5-pro"/"seedance-2.5"/' \
request.json > request-2.5.json
# Recheck every parameter against GET /models for Seedance 2.5.
# Quote the revised request before creating its generation.
curl --request POST "$SEEDANCE_BASE_URL/quotes" \
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SEEDANCE_API_KEY" \
--header "Content-Type: application/json" \
--data-binary @request-2.5.json
A successful creation request returns HTTP 202 with an id and status processing. Keep the returned identifier for status checks. Changing the model ID also requires checking the new model’s supported parameters and obtaining a fresh quote.
How can I use references and targeted edits with Seedance 2.5?
Seedance 2.5 supports up to 50 references, including text, images, audio, video and untextured 3D models. Plan the references around the intended scene: identify the appearance, movement or environment that each asset should guide.
Targeted editing lets you change clothing, repair objects or redesign the environment without regenerating the entire video. Describe the specific element you want changed and the intended result so the editing instruction has a clear scope.
For API image requests, use an inputs array containing image objects with type set to image and a url. Set parameters.image_mode to first-frame, first-last-frame or reference-image according to model support. Check the selected model’s image limits when preparing the request.
Use parameters.resolution, parameters.aspect_ratio and parameters.duration_seconds for supported output settings. Include parameters.generate_audio only for models advertising audio control. Unknown fields are rejected, so keep the request within the documented fields rather than inventing parameters for reference types or edits.
How much does API generation cost?
Use POST /quotes to obtain cost_credits for the exact request before generating. Prices follow the models and pricing page, with model parameters determining prices outside the specified Seedance 2.5 Lite rate.
Seedance 2.5 Lite costs 10 credits per output second. The first five reference images are included, and each additional image costs 7 credits. Obtain a quote for Seedance 1.5 Pro or Seedance 2.5 instead of applying the Lite rate to either model.
Credits are reserved before submission, and a verified failure refunds once. Quotes, queries and downloads cost no generation credits. Use max_cost_credits to specify a credit cap and review the quoted cost whenever you change the model or generation settings.
How do I retrieve videos and manage API limits?
Poll GET $SEEDANCE_BASE_URL/generations/GENERATION_ID using the returned generation identifier, with at least 10 seconds between polls. Download outputs[].url before expires_at. Download links last at most 15 minutes, while media is kept for 14 days.
Build output retrieval into the generation workflow so a completed video is downloaded within the link’s lifetime. Seedance 2.5 provides MP4 download for the generated result.
- Each account allows 1 active API generation.
- Generation and upload requests are limited to 10 per minute and 1,000 per day.
- Reads and quotes are limited to 60 per minute.
- API generation credits are limited to 2,000 per day.
- Daily windows reset in UTC.
Queue submissions around the active-generation limit and space status checks around the polling interval. Use the Seedance 2.5 API pricing and limits guide when planning request volume and credit use.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seedance 1.5 Pro free?
You can try Seedance 1.5 Pro with free credits on sign-up. The web starter allocation applies only to Seedance 1.5 Pro, while Seedance 2.5 requires paid access. Quote API requests before submitting a generation to review their cost.
What is the difference between Seedance 1.5 Pro and 2.5?
Seedance 1.5 Pro is the starting choice for free credits on sign-up; Seedance 2.5 supports clips up to 30 seconds, up to 50 references and targeted edits. Seedance 2.5 can change clothing, repair objects or redesign the environment without regenerating the entire video.
What is the Seedance 1.5 Pro API model ID?
The Seedance 1.5 Pro API model ID is seedance-1.5-pro. Place the identifier in the model field of the request body. Seedance 2.5 uses seedance-2.5 through the same API.
How much does the Seedance 1.5 Pro API cost?
Get the request-specific cost with POST /quotes; prices follow the models and pricing page. The quote returns cost_credits without generating or charging. Submit the intended model and parameters together so the quote corresponds to the generation you want.
Which Seedance versions are available?
The API catalog includes Seedance 2.5, Seedance 2.5 Lite, Seedance 2.0 Pro, Seedance 2.0 Fast, Seedance 2.0 Mini and Seedance 1.5 Pro. Inspect the selected catalog entry before choosing modes, output settings and image inputs.
Try Seedance 2.5 Today
Start free with free credits on sign-up for Seedance 1.5 Pro. Then move up with paid access to Seedance 2.5 for 30-second clips and up to 50 references.
Start free with Seedance 1.5 Pro, then upgrade to Seedance 2.5