Using `R2 + image transformation API` vs the `Images` service
Are these effectively the same but with a lower storage cost for R2 storage? What are the advantages to using the Images API for storage vs the former?
8 Replies
Images is a pipeline/turnkey solution, with direct creator uploads, preset variants, easy importing, etc
plus the cost is flat per image served and not per unique transformation
R2 + Image Resizing can be cheaper, espec if you resize ahead of time and put them in the bucket after, but you're just doing more of the work yourself
But you can use the same Cloudflare Image Optimization service with images stored elsewhere, according to the docs https://developers.cloudflare.com/images/pricing/#images-delivered
So my interpretation is that it's a slightly different workflow but storage costs are different
You linked to Images Delivered. You don't pay per image delivered if you're using Image Resizing, you pay for Images Transformed
it's not exactly the same service, I mean you kind of have some of the same options with variants and their options, but there are differences
My takeaway is still similar given you can use the same transformations in both cases
Guess I need to kick the tires of Images sometime to understand what I'm not grasping from the docs about why Images is worthwhile over R2+transformations
it might not be, depends on your use case
Images Delivered with Images is $1 per 100k flat. Unique Images Transformed is $1 per 2,000 unique per month. Plus you have costs for either R2 or Images.
Do you resize a ton of unique images in a ton of different ways? Do you resize the same small set of images in the same ways? Do you need a more full solution which allows you to easily upload even from clients, migrate from other platforms, have a dashboard list and easy controls? etc
So you eliminate both Images Stored and Images delivered costs by using R2. R2 incurs storage costs (but cheaper than Images) and egress is free. Then, yeah, there is a difference in transformation pricing.
Do you need a more full solution which allows you to easily upload even from clients, migrate from other platforms, have a dashboard list and easy controls?I'll have to try it to see how much value those add. Thanks for responding
You don't pay transformation pricing with CF Images itself, the way you worded it kind of seemed like you think you do unless I'm misunderstanding you
R2 + Image Resizing
R2 Class A (uploads), R2 Class B (get)
Images Transformation (billed perunique)
Images
Images Stored (prepaid)
Images Delivered (variants or flexible variants)
appreciate it!