Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Image Hosting

ImageKit vs Cloudinary

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 9 checks side by side
Higher score ImageKit #6 in Image Hosting 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ImageKit
Cloudinary #7 in Image Hosting 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Cloudinary

ImageKit leads on 2 checks, Cloudinary on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 9 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreImageKit · 8.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceImageKit · $9/mo
  • Free planboth

ImageKit scores higher on our rubric for image hosting: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

ImageKit is cheaper to start at $9/mo against $89/mo. Cloudinary leads on storage limit: 225 GB versus 10 GB. Cloudinary leads on bandwidth limit: 225 GB versus 40 GB. ImageKit leads on max file size: 40 MB versus 20 MB.

ImageKit is the better fit for developers delivering optimized media. Cloudinary is the better fit for enterprises needing media APIs and CDN delivery.

  • ImageKit fits best

    Developers delivering optimized media

  • Cloudinary fits best

    Enterprises needing media APIs and CDN delivery

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ImageKit 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Cloudinary 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Image Hosting #7 in Image Hosting
Best for Developers delivering optimized media Enterprises needing media APIs and CDN delivery
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $9/mo (best) $89/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 14 integrations 8 integrations
Features ImageKit 4/4 · Cloudinary 4/4
API access ✓ ✓
Private sharing ✓ ✓
Custom domain ✓ ✓
Image transformations ✓ ✓
Specs
Storage limit 10 GB 225 GB (best)
Bandwidth limit 40 GB 225 GB (best)
Max file size 40 MB (best) 20 MB
Our review
Pros
  • Forever-free plan includes optimization, transformations, CDN delivery, and DAM
  • URL-based transformations, signed URLs, private files, and AI features
  • Integrates with cloud storage, frameworks, CMSs, and commerce platforms
  • Upload APIs, folders, search, tags, and categories organize media
  • Dynamic transformations optimize size, format, cropping, and quality
  • CDN delivery, backups, access controls, and custom domains support publishing
Cons
  • Forever free limits bandwidth, storage, users, processing, and AI extensions
  • Advanced collaboration and custom domains require higher paid tiers
  • Usage-based overage applies to bandwidth and storage on the Lite plan
  • The Free plan is limited to 3 users and 25 monthly credits
  • Plus costs $89 per month when billed annually
  • Custom domains and authentication options start on the Advanced plan
Our verdict

ImageKit is a media platform for websites and applications that combines image and video optimization, URL-based transformations, CDN delivery, uploads, APIs, SDKs, and digital asset management. It is designed for developers, product…

Read the review →

Cloudinary is a cloud platform for uploading, storing, organizing, transforming, optimizing, and delivering images and video. It is designed for developers, digital teams, and organizations managing visual assets across websites and mobile…

Read the review →
  1. ImageKitImage Hosting 8.7Free plan
  2. CloudinaryImage Hosting 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ImageKit — where it wins

    • Forever-free plan includes optimization, transformations, CDN delivery, and DAM
    • URL-based transformations, signed URLs, private files, and AI features
    • Integrates with cloud storage, frameworks, CMSs, and commerce platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Forever free limits bandwidth, storage, users, processing, and AI extensions
    • Advanced collaboration and custom domains require higher paid tiers
    • Usage-based overage applies to bandwidth and storage on the Lite plan

  • Cloudinary — where it wins

    • Upload APIs, folders, search, tags, and categories organize media
    • Dynamic transformations optimize size, format, cropping, and quality
    • CDN delivery, backups, access controls, and custom domains support publishing

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan is limited to 3 users and 25 monthly credits
    • Plus costs $89 per month when billed annually
    • Custom domains and authentication options start on the Advanced plan
  • ImageKit8.7/10 · Free plan

    A developer-focused image and video platform with optimization, transformations, CDN delivery, and DAM.

    Visit ImageKitFull verdict →
  • Cloudinary8.6/10 · Free plan

    A strong choice for enterprises that need media APIs, transformations, and CDN delivery.

    Visit CloudinaryFull verdict →

More comparisons

All image hosting comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update