OSI-licensed only · self-hostable
Cloudinary is a proprietary media platform for storing, transforming and delivering images and video. Open-source tools cover the image-transformation part well, and you pair them with your own storage and CDN.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (Apache-2.0, MIT, LGPL-2.1), checked against its repository. Pimcore, which includes digital asset management, is listed separately because its licence is open-core.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Licence | Runs as |
|---|---|---|---|
| imgproxy | Fast URL-based image processing | Apache-2.0 | Docker |
| Thumbor | Smart cropping | MIT | Server |
| imagor | High-throughput image server | Apache-2.0 | Docker |
| IPX | Image optimisation for JS apps | MIT | Server |
| sharp | Image processing in Node.js | Apache-2.0 | Server |
| libvips | Low-level image processing engine | LGPL-2.1 | Server |
Best for: Fast URL-based image processing
A standalone server that resizes, processes and converts images on demand. A paid Pro edition also exists.
Best for: Smart cropping
An open-source Python service that crops, resizes, filters and optimises images on demand, using AI-based smart cropping.
Best for: High-throughput image server
A fast, high-throughput image server and Go library that uses the libvips image processing engine.
Best for: Image optimisation for JS apps
A fast, secure and easy-to-use image optimiser that uses sharp and svgo to resize, convert and transform images through URL modifiers.
Best for: Image processing in Node.js
A Node.js module that resizes and converts formats such as JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF and TIFF, built on libvips.
Best for: Low-level image processing engine
A fast image processing library with low memory needs, licensed LGPL-2.1-or-later.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Self-hosted image CDN origin | imgproxy or imagor |
| Smart cropping | Thumbor |
| Nuxt or Node apps | IPX |
| Processing inside your own code | sharp or libvips |
| Digital asset management | Check Pimcore's licence first |
Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.
Source is public and covers digital assets among other areas, but the Open Core License is not OSI-approved.
Quick answers to common questions
Cloudinary is proprietary. imgproxy, Thumbor and imagor cover image transformation, but you handle storage and CDN yourself.
Thumbor describes AI-based smart cropping.
The ones above are image-focused, so video transformation needs separate tools.
The repository is Apache-2.0. A separate paid Pro edition exists.
Storage for originals and a CDN for caching and delivery.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this page.
