Thumbor

Self-Hosted

Open-source image processing service with gallery capabilities and intelligent resizing

Overview

Thumbor is a self-hosted image processing and gallery service designed for developers and teams. It enables on-the-fly resizing, cropping, filtering, and face detection to optimize images for web/mobile use. With support for storage backends like local files, S3, and Google Cloud Storage, it organizes processed assets into accessible galleries. Deployable via Docker, Kubernetes, or standalone, it offers REST API access for seamless app integration. It prioritizes performance and customization, ideal for self-hosted environments needing scalable image management and gallery features.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  thumbor:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: thumbor
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

On-the-fly image resizing, cropping, and filtering
Face/feature detection for intelligent cropping
Multi-storage backend support (local, S3, GCS)
REST API for easy app integration
Customizable security policies

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Thumbor hard to install?

Thumbor is easiest to install via Docker (using official images) or Docker Compose, which simplifies setup for most users. Beginners may need to learn basic containerization or server management, but detailed docs and community guides help reduce friction.

? Is it a good alternative to Cloudinary?

Yes—Thumbor offers core image processing features like Cloudinary but with self-hosted control and no subscription costs. However, Cloudinary has a more polished UI and built-in CDN, so Thumbor is better for teams prioritizing privacy and customization over out-of-the-box convenience.

? Is Thumbor completely free?

Absolutely—Thumbor is open-source under the MIT License, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any hidden fees or restrictions. You only incur costs for your own server/storage infrastructure.

Top Alternatives

Cloudinary (Proprietary image service with gallery) Search Google

ImageKit (Proprietary image management platform) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Photo Galleries

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Highly customizable via plugins
⊕ Scalable deployment options (Docker/K8s)
⊕ Open-source with active community support

Cons

⊖ Requires technical setup (beginners may struggle)
⊖ Limited built-in UI for gallery management (API-driven)
⊖ Steeper learning curve for advanced features
⊖ Needs additional tools for full-fledged gallery UI