Cloudinary Alternative
Simple optimization without the platform complexity.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cloudinary | imgfast |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Full media platform | Optimization tool + API |
| Learning curve | Steep (SDK, API, dashboard) | Minimal (drag & drop or simple API) Better |
| CDN delivery | Built-in Better | No (download files) |
| API pricing | Credit-based (complex) | $9.99/mo flat + $0.01/image Better |
| PDF support | Yes | Yes |
| RAW camera files | Limited | Full support (Pro) Better |
| Image editor | Transform only | Full (crop, adjust, watermarks) Better |
| Mobile workflow | Via app integration | Native web (phone-optimized) Better |
The Honest Take
Let's be upfront: comparing Cloudinary to imgfast is like comparing a semi truck to a bicycle. They're both useful, but for very different things.
Cloudinary is a full media management platform—CDN delivery, URL-based transformations, video processing, DAM features, the works. It's incredibly powerful and there's a reason big companies use it.
When Cloudinary is the right call: You're building an app that needs dynamic image delivery. You want to resize images on-the-fly via URL parameters. You need video support. You have a team managing media assets.
When imgfast makes more sense: You need to prepare images before uploading somewhere. You want batch conversion with a web UI or simple API. You need PDF conversion, RAW camera file support, or a quick image editor with crop, adjustments, and watermarks. You want to work from your phone.
We have an API too: Pro users get API access at $9.99/month (vs Cloudinary's complex credit system). It's straightforward—POST an image, get an optimized one back. No CDN, no URL transformations, just processing.
The honest take: If you need a media platform, Cloudinary is the way to go. If you need image optimization—whether via web UI or API—with clear pricing, we're here.