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Cloudinary Reviews

Vendor: Cloudinary
4.2 out of 5
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What is Cloudinary?

Cloudinary provides a comprehensive API for image transformation, offering easy integration and a user-friendly interface. With automated asset optimization and robust media management, it enables seamless image storage and retrieval, making it a preferred choice for websites and applications.

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Buyer's Guide
Cloudinary
March 2025
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Helped 841,302 peers since 2012

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PeerAnalyst reports based on Cloudinary reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryDigital Asset ManagementMar 12, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMar 12, 2025Download
ComparisonCloudinary vs Adobe WorkfrontMar 12, 2025Download
ComparisonCloudinary vs BoxMar 12, 2025Download
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Cloudinary provides users with valuable features such as a broad API for easy integration into platforms, efficient image transformation, storage, and organization. The user interface is intuitive, and its automation optimizes assets without user intervention. Cloudinary supports media encoding, validation, and robust CDN capabilities. The generous free-tier program is beneficial, as is the straightforward API integration. Cloudinary's asset management, including categorization and tagging, enhances user engagement and simplifies media handling for various development needs.
  • "I can create folders in the Cloudinary interface using the front end, allowing me to store profile pictures, post pictures, cover pictures, and other media files."
  • "As a developer, I find Cloudinary valuable because it provides many opportunities for building applications. For example, I recently created an AI application that can read images and automatically generate captions, which helps in describing images or videos without manual input. Cloudinary's APIs support this functionality and enhance my development process.One of the most beneficial features of Cloudinary is its asset management capabilities. I can tag and categorize images and videos based on their content, such as tagging videos where a person is wearing glasses. This helps in organizing and managing media effectively.I have experimented with Cloudinary's automation capabilities, but I am still learning and haven't fully explored its potential. Currently, I want to use Cloudinary to improve user engagement with my videos, such as tracking who is viewing and interacting with my media. This is a feature I plan to explore more in the future."
  • "I like the tool best because it's straightforward and doesn't have too many complicated options like AWS. The dashboard is clear - you create a directory, get credentials, and then use those in your Node.js or Java application to access resources. With AWS, you have to consider many things, like bucket policies and user permissions. It doesn't have these complications. Everything on Cloudinary is clearer than other platforms I've seen. It is very easy to use. It's easier than the AWS platforms I've seen. Even general developers can use it, while AWS needs more experience."

Room for Improvement

Cloudinary's management console and user interface often confuse new users. The initial setup is complex and documentation lacks user-friendliness, especially for non-technical users. Navigation in the dashboard can be challenging and more intuitive browsing is desired. There are concerns over its cost compared to competitors. The API struggles with folder management, error handling is inadequate, and enhanced capabilities for hosting large video files are suggested. Improved community engagement could elevate its visibility.
  • "The user interface of Cloudinary needs improvement."
  • "I haven't really thought about what improvements I’d like to see in Cloudinary recently. One thing that comes to mind is the capability for hosting very large video files, similar to platforms like YouTube. Cloudinary is not as widely known for video uploads as other platforms, and it would be great if it had a larger user base for this purpose.Apart from marketing and video uploading, I haven't identified specific features or functionalities that need improvement. It’s been a while since I actively used Cloudinary, and I’m just starting to get back into it. Once I’m more familiar with it again, I’ll have a better idea of any gaps or areas for enhancement. I’ll need to think more about this and might provide feedback later."
  • "I think Cloudinary has room for improvement, depending on the project you're working on. Changes might not be needed if your project fits what Cloudinary already offers. But if your project needs some changes, you can make them."

Pricing

Cloudinary's pricing suits diverse needs, offering a free plan ideal for small-scale use or experimentation. Users appreciate its moderate cost, especially compared to alternatives like AWS. While the free tier is sufficient for many, challenges arise with rapid scaling, where fixed monthly charges may seem steep. Some enterprises find this valuable for consistent media management, despite potential for higher cost at scale. Pricing transparency and scalability remain key considerations for large user bases.
  • "I am using the free version."
  • "We decided to quit using Cloudinary after two years because we were getting a lot of users, and it was becoming expensive. Cloudinary had fixed charges, so if we agreed to pay 500 USD per month, it would be the same whether we used high or low resources. They would notify us if we exceeded our limit, but not if we used less—however, AWS charges according to usage, which became more cost-effective for us as we grew. With AWS, you might pay 100 one month and 200 the next, depending on your usage."
  • "The tool's pricing is very high."

Popular Use Cases

Users primarily utilize Cloudinary for image and media management. It automatically formats images for optimal display across devices and enables efficient storage and retrieval of media files. It is integral in projects requiring image transformation, such as generating artwork mockups or storing user-generated content like profile pictures and vehicle media. Many find its API support crucial for integrating image hosting capabilities into various applications and websites, enhancing the development process significantly.

Service and Support

Cloudinary's customer service and support are highly responsive and efficient. Their active Discord channel and community forum provide quick assistance, while comprehensive documentation often resolves issues. Some users have engaged directly with the team, rating their proficiency in response and knowledge high. Many rely on available resources without needing to contact them, reflecting the reliability of Cloudinary's offerings. Additionally, support is accessible through LinkedIn, Twitter, and webinars. Overall feedback indicates a commendable service experience.

Deployment

The initial setup of Cloudinary is generally easy, with many praising its documentation and available samples. Technical users find it straightforward due to the API's clarity, while some non-technical users may face challenges. Users appreciate the platform’s integration options, though issues have been noted with specific packages. Many find the deployment phase simple, facilitated by clear tutorials and account creation steps. Some mention that advanced configurations might need additional effort.

Scalability

Organizations report that Cloudinary is scalable, scoring a six to ten out of ten. Users find its capacity to handle bulk uploads and large user bases effective. Expansion from five gigabytes upwards is available, but involves additional expenses unlike AWS, which offers pay-as-you-go. Credits dictate usage limitations, necessitating support for higher demands. Cloudinary works well for those sharing files and managing assets. Proper API configuration is necessary when integrating into applications.

Stability

Users find Cloudinary to be generally stable, rating it mostly nine or ten out of ten for stability. Bugs and breakdowns are infrequent, though some report occasional downtimes, especially compared to larger services like Firebase. Several users praise its API for compatibility and uptime, while others note minor delays due to internet issues. Despite some experiencing minor downtimes, the consensus is that Cloudinary offers reliable performance for most usage scenarios.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
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Learn more about Cloudinary

Cloudinary is a leading platform in image management, featuring tools for image transformation, storage, and hosting. Its user-centric design simplifies processes like automated image optimization and media validation. Users benefit from a versatile CDN and a generous free tier, facilitating efficient development and deployment. The ability to handle image uploads and retrievals without complex configurations aids in quick time to market, while intuitive search and manageable media organization enhance user experience. Despite its strengths, users call for improvements in user-friendliness, API functionality, and clearer documentation. Pricing remains a concern, and additional advanced AI capabilities for image generation are desired. There's interest in better video hosting and integration with existing storage solutions.

What features does Cloudinary offer?
  • API for Image Transformation: Offers broad capabilities for customizing images.
  • Automated Asset Optimization: Ensures images are delivered in optimal formats.
  • Media Validation: Verifies media integrity and quality.
  • Intuitive Search: Allows easy retrieval of media assets.
  • CDN Power: Boosts content delivery speed globally.
What benefits do users find in Cloudinary?
  • Seamless Development: Facilitates quick development and deployment.
  • Efficient Image Management: Simplifies image storage and retrieval.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Aids in easy platform navigation.
  • Time-Saving Processes: Reduces time in image handling and delivery.

Cloudinary finds applications across sectors such as e-commerce, where image optimization for different devices significantly enhances user experience. In the web and app development fields, it enables automated management of image sizes and formats, supporting functions like user uploads and profile picture handling. Organizations utilize its media management capabilities for storing and handling documents, videos, and other assets. The API integration streamlines backend operations, making it an appealing choice for developers in diverse industries.

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