A simpler, more predictable Cloudinary alternative
Get the same image optimization and transformation features with straightforward pricing. No credits to manage, no surprise bills.
- Save ~$114/month at 500 GB usage
- No confusing credit system — pay for what you use
- All transformations included on every plan
- Simpler URL-based API
- Zero vendor lock-in with multi-storage support
PixelFiddler is built for teams who:
- Already store images in S3, GCS, or Azure
- Want predictable bandwidth-based pricing
- Don't need enterprise DAM workflows
- Care about performance and cost efficiency
- Prefer URL-based transformations without credit limits
See how much you'll actually save
For a growing business using 500 GB bandwidth and 100 GB storage per month
BEST VALUE
PixelFiddler
$110
per month
How is this calculated?
Business Plan ($15) + 475 GB bandwidth overage ($0.20/GB)
Cloudinary
$224+
per month
~2× more expensive more expensive
How is this calculated?
Advanced Plan ($224/mo for 600 credits). Credits are shared across bandwidth, storage, and transformations. High-usage scenarios may require additional credits.
Plan-by-plan comparison
Compare pricing tiers side by side
| Tier | PixelFiddler | Cloudinary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Bandwidth | Storage | Price | Bandwidth | Storage | |
| Free | $0 | 2 GB/mo | 5 GB | $0 | 25 credits/mo | Shared credits |
| Starter | $5/mo | 5 GB/mo +$0.25/GB overage | 30 GB +$0.08/GB overage | $89/mo | 225 credits/mo | Shared credits |
| Business | $15/mo | 25 GB/mo +$0.20/GB overage | 300 GB +$0.05/GB overage | $224/mo | 600 credits/mo | Shared credits |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Pricing comparisons are based on publicly available pricing as of February 2026. Actual costs may vary depending on usage and configuration.
Switching is simple
1
Connect your storage
Link your existing S3, GCS, Azure, or HTTP storage
2
Update your delivery URL
Replace your image delivery base URL with PixelFiddler
3
Keep your transformations
Keep using URL-based transformations as before
No asset re-uploads. No storage migration. No vendor lock-in.
Feature-by-feature comparison
See how PixelFiddler and Cloudinary stack up across key capabilities
| Feature | PixelFiddler | Cloudinary |
|---|---|---|
| Image Transformations | ||
| Resize & crop | ||
| Format conversion (WebP, AVIF) | ||
| Auto optimization | ||
| Text & image overlays | ||
| Smart crop (face detection) | ||
| Client hints adaptation | ||
| URL-based aliasing | ||
| Video Processing | ||
| Video transcoding | Not supported | |
| Adaptive streaming (HLS/DASH) | Not supported | |
| Video player | Not supported | |
| Storage & Delivery | ||
| Global CDN | ||
| Multi-storage support (S3, GCS, Azure) | ||
| Built-in media hosting | ||
| Custom domain | Enterprise | Advanced ($224/mo) |
| Cache invalidation | ||
| Platform & Pricing | ||
| Transparent pricing | Credit-based | |
| Unlimited transformations | Uses credits | |
| Unlimited users | 3-5 depending on plan | |
| Free tools (converters, compressors) | ||
| Real-time analytics | ||
| Watermarks | ||
| DAM (Digital Asset Management) | ||
| Media library | ||
| AI auto-tagging | ||
| AI background removal | ||
| AI image generation | ||
| AI generative fill | Not supported | |
| Approval workflows | ||
| Version control | ||
When Cloudinary might be the better choice
We believe in being upfront. Cloudinary may be a better fit if you need:
- •Video processing and transcoding
- •AI generative fill
- •Advanced DAM workflows (approval chains)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about switching from Cloudinary to PixelFiddler
PixelFiddler uses straightforward bandwidth + storage pricing, while Cloudinary uses a credit system where credits are shared across bandwidth, storage, and transformations. For a typical use case of 500 GB bandwidth per month, PixelFiddler costs around $110/mo vs Cloudinary's $224+/mo - that's over 50% savings.
Yes. PixelFiddler supports multiple storage backends including S3, Google Cloud Storage, Azure, and HTTP sources. You can keep your existing storage and simply update your delivery URLs to use PixelFiddler's CDN.
PixelFiddler covers the core image transformations that most developers need: resize, crop, format conversion, optimization, overlays, and more. PixelFiddler now also offers AI background removal and AI image generation via a pay-per-token model. The only AI feature Cloudinary has that PixelFiddler does not is generative fill.
Yes. PixelFiddler offers an Enterprise plan with custom SLA, dedicated support, custom domain, and feature request priority. Contact support@pixel-fiddler.com for a tailored quote.