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imgproxy Developer Tools

from $49/mo

imgproxy (Developer Tools): Self-hosted, AI-powered image processing server for on-the-fly resizing, cropping, and optimization. Pricing: from $49/mo. (data verified July 2026)

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About imgproxy

What is imgproxy?

imgproxy is a fast, secure, self-hosted image processing server that resizes, crops, optimizes, and transforms images on the fly. Instead of pre-generating every image variant, you specify processing parameters directly in the URL, and imgproxy delivers the optimized result in real time. It is designed for developers and engineering teams who need high-performance image handling without third-party SaaS fees or data leaving their infrastructure.

What problem does it solve?

Traditional image pipelines often require storing hundreds of pre-sized variants, leading to storage bloat, slow load times, and complex workflows. imgproxy eliminates this by processing images dynamically, reducing storage costs and simplifying development. Its built-in security features—like image bomb detection, URL signing, and authorization—protect against denial-of-service attacks and unauthorized transformations.

Who is it for?

imgproxy is built for developers, DevOps teams, and SaaS companies that handle large volumes of user-generated content or product images. It is ideal for teams running on AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, or any Docker/Linux environment. It is NOT for non-technical users looking for a hosted drag-and-drop image editor—imgproxy requires server setup and configuration.

Real use cases

E-commerce platforms use imgproxy to serve product thumbnails, zoomed views, and optimized images for mobile. Media sites generate video previews and PDF thumbnails on demand. Content platforms apply watermarks and dynamic cropping while maintaining image quality. The AI-powered smart cropping and best-format selection features further reduce bandwidth and improve Core Web Vitals.

Key features

  • On-the-fly processing — Resize, crop, rotate, and apply filters via URL parameters; no pre-generation needed.
  • AI-powered smart cropping — Automatically detect and crop to the most important area using object detection (Pro).
  • Advanced compression — Reduce file size with GIF-to-MP4 conversion, SVG minification, and SSIM-based auto-quality (Pro).
  • Security out of the box — URL signing, authorization, and image bomb protection to prevent abuse.
  • Self-hosted & open core — Runs on your infrastructure via Docker or Linux packages; open-source version on GitHub (10.9K stars).
  • Broad format support — JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, JPEG XL, and Pro features for video/PDF preview generation.
  • Real-time optimization — Auto-select best format, strip metadata, and apply color profiles for optimal delivery.

SaaSpartout Score

7.2 /10
Ease of use 6.5
Features depth 8.5
Value for money 8.0
Support quality 6.0
Integrations 7.0
Scalability 8.5
Documentation 7.5
Onboarding speed 5.5

Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.

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imgproxy Pricing

imgproxy pricing: from $49/mo.

imgproxy Pro — 16 workers (starts at $49/month or $499/year)

Includes all free features plus advanced compression, dynamic watermarks, video previews, object detection, best format selection, and priority support. Pricing scales with total workers across all instances; the default number of workers equals 2× the CPU cores. 14-day free trial available.

Enterprise / Custom

Unlimited workers and dedicated support. Price on request. Contact sales via email at [email protected] or through AWS Marketplace.

Try imgproxy Pro free for 14 days—no credit card required.

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Frequently asked questions

Is imgproxy free?
Yes, imgproxy has a free open-source version on GitHub with core features (JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, resizing, cropping, security basics). The Pro version adds advanced features and starts at $49/month with a 14-day free trial.
How does imgproxy pricing work?
imgproxy Pro pricing is based on the total number of workers across all your instances (default is 2× CPU cores per instance). The smallest plan starts at $49/month for up to 16 workers. Yearly billing is $499/year (2 months free). Enterprise pricing is available on request.
What is imgproxy best used for?
imgproxy is best for developers and SaaS teams who need fast, secure, self-hosted image processing — especially e-commerce product images, user-generated content, media thumbnails, and real-time image optimization at scale.
What are the top alternatives to imgproxy?
Popular alternatives include Cloudinary (SaaS, higher cost), Imgix (SaaS, per-GB pricing), ImageKit (SaaS + self-hosted), and Thumbor (open-source, less maintained). imgproxy stands out for being self-hosted, open-core, and AI-powered.
Does imgproxy support video previews?
Yes, the Pro version supports preview generation for video, PDF, and Photoshop documents. The open-source version does not.
Can imgproxy be used with AWS or Google Cloud?
Absolutely. imgproxy runs on any Docker or Linux environment, including AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, and local machines. The Pro version is also available via AWS Marketplace.

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