Yes, ImageKit.io has a permanent free tier alongside its paid plans. The free plan includes 20 GB bandwidth per month, with media delivery stopping at the limit, 3 GB DAM storage, with new uploads stopping at the limit, and 500 video units per month for new video processing. FreeTier.co estimates the free tier at about $9.00/mo.
About
ImageKit.io is an image and video API with an integrated digital asset management (DAM) layer. It connects to existing storage such as S3, Google Cloud Storage, Blob Storage, or HTTP origins, then serves media through URL-based optimization, transformation, and delivery APIs.
The platform includes image and video optimization, 50+ real-time transformations, adaptive video streaming, and DAM features such as storage, access control, metadata, search, comments, audit logs, and public links. The free offering includes monthly bandwidth, DAM storage, video processing units, extension units for AI-powered operations, user seats, and purge requests, with separate plans for the full media platform and DAM-only use cases.
- URL-based image and video delivery
- 50+ real-time media transformations
- Adaptive HLS and DASH streaming
- Integrated DAM storage and access control
- AI tagging and metadata operations
- Monthly bandwidth and purge limits
Free Tier Value
This free tier is a capped but genuinely usable starter plan, and the cheapest paid option is the Lite plan at $9/month. Because the free tier already includes the core media delivery and DAM basics, but with tight monthly limits and no overage allowance, it is worth about the same as roughly one full month of Lite access rather than more. A credit card is not explicitly waived on the page, and the offer is perpetual but clearly capped, which keeps the value below the paid plan.
What's included in the free tier
Verified
- 20 GB bandwidth per month, with media delivery stopping at the limit.
- 3 GB DAM storage, with new uploads stopping at the limit.
- 500 video units per month for new video processing.
- 650 extension units per month for AI-powered features.
- Up to 2 users, including the main administrator.
- 500 purge requests per month for cache invalidation.
- Access to media optimizations, transformations, and streaming features with monthly limits.
- Limited AI-powered operations every month.
- Integrated media library storage.
- Community support.
See ImageKit.io pricing for current limits.
Paid plans
Lite
- bandwidth
- 40 GB
- DAM storage
- 10 GB
- video units
- 500 per month
- extension units
- 650 per month
- users
- 3
- purge requests
- 1000 per month
- Overage allowed for bandwidth and storage
- Higher upload and processing limits
- Email support
- Image optimization, transformation, and storage
- No limits on total traffic or media transformations
Pro
- bandwidth
- 225 GB
- DAM storage
- 225 GB
- video units
- 5000 per month
- extension units
- 4000 per month
- users
- 5
- purge requests
- 1000 per month
- Overage allowed for all core items
- Custom domain name
- Advanced search, sharing and collaboration in DAM
- Unlimited AI-powered operations
- Unlimited Creative Automation exports
- Automatic AVIF optimization on-demand
- Even higher upload and processing limits
- One-time 30-minute implementation consultation
Enterprise
- SSO and multi-account setup
- Advanced security controls
- URL Endpoint functions
- Path policies in DAM
- Origin shield for external origins
- Custom CDN integration
- Dedicated customer success manager
- Phone and Slack support with custom SLAs
DAM pro
- DAM storage
- 225 GB
- users
- 10
- extension units
- 4000 per month
- purge requests
- 1000 per month
- Usage-based pricing after initial inclusions
- Unlimited AI-powered searches
- Unlimited AI tasks for tagging and metadata
- Unlimited Creative Automation exports
- Media Library backup
- API-based access available
- Higher upload and processing limits
- Chat and email support
Enterprise
- SSO and multi-account setup
- Path policies for governance
- Dedicated customer success manager
- Managed migration
- Custom processing limits
- Audit logs
Pricing extracted from ImageKit.io's pricing page. Always verify current pricing before committing.
Common questions
Is ImageKit.io free forever?
Yes. ImageKit.io has a permanent free tier alongside its paid plans, though the allowance typically resets each month.
What happens when you exceed ImageKit.io's free tier?
You move to a paid plan. ImageKit.io's cheapest paid plan is Lite at $9 / month.
What is ImageKit.io's free tier worth?
ImageKit.io's free tier is worth about $9.00 per month. That maps to an FTV score of 49/100. The FTV score is explained at freetier.co/ftv.
