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Best / Image CDN

Best open-source Image CDN

The best self-hosted image-CDN split in the c17.io catalog is imgproxy for Apache-2.0 on-the-fly resize (the published Cloudinary / Imgix stack — skip Pro processors), Thumbor when you want that MIT thumbnail service — /compare/imgproxy-vs-thumbor, Imagor when you want Apache-2.0 libvips in Go, and Garage when the job is the object store behind the proxy rather than a transform URL. You still put a CDN in front. This is not Cloudinary's DAM or Imgix's every video SKU. Background removal stays on /replace/remove-bg.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    imgproxy

    Apache-2.0 image proxy — the c17 Cloudinary / Imgix path. Skip Pro processors. /compare/imgproxy-vs-thumbor.

    When to pick it: Signed resize URLs in front of objects you already have.

    11,150 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    Thumbor

    MIT thumbnail service. /compare/imgproxy-vs-thumbor.

    When to pick it: A Python transform box if imgproxy is not the shape.

    10,527 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Imagor

    Apache-2.0 Go image server on libvips.

    When to pick it: The other Go proxy if imgproxy is not the API.

    4,049 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Garage

    AGPL-3.0 S3 store already on /best/object-storage. Not a transform URL.

    When to pick it: The originals, not the resize.

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
imgproxyApache License 2.0EasySigned resize URLs in front of objects you already have.
ThumborMIT LicenseMediumA Python transform box if imgproxy is not the shape.
ImagorApache License 2.0EasyThe other Go proxy if imgproxy is not the API.
GarageGNU Affero General Public License v3.0EasyThe originals, not the resize.

Related pages

FAQ

imgproxy or Thumbor?
imgproxy if you want the published Cloudinary / Imgix path. Thumbor if you want that MIT service — /compare/imgproxy-vs-thumbor.
Imgix or Cloudinary?
Same published transform — /replace/imgix and /replace/cloudinary.
Is this a DAM?
No. Uploads stay in your app or Nextcloud. This page resizes and serves.
Are these free?
imgproxy OSS and Imagor are Apache-2.0. Thumbor is MIT. imgproxy Pro processors are paid — skip them. You pay hosting and a CDN. Template users never pay c17.
How do I deploy it?
Open /stacks/imgproxy-media. Point the proxy at S3/MinIO or a volume. Sign URLs.

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