Imgix Technology Intelligence

What is imgix?

imgix is a real-time image processing and delivery service. Founded in 2011 in San Francisco, imgix processes images on-the-fly from your existing storage, transforming and optimizing them via URL parameters.

Unlike upload-based services, imgix connects to sources like S3, Google Cloud Storage, or web folders. Images are processed on first request, cached globally, and delivered via CDN - no migration required.

Processing Features

Transformations

• Resize: 100+ sizing parameters
• Crop: Focal point and face detection
• Format: WebP, AVIF, JPEG XL auto
• Quality: Perceptual optimization

Enhancement

• Auto-enhance: One-parameter improvement
• Colors: Saturation, contrast, vibrance
• Filters: Blur, sharpen, noise reduction
• Watermarks: Overlay composition

Performance

• Global CDN: Edge caching
• Purging: Instant cache clear
• Analytics: Bandwidth and request metrics
• Signed URLs: Secure transformations

Implementation Scenarios

Media Archives

Publishers with millions of legacy images connect imgix to existing storage. No re-upload needed - images transform and optimize on-demand.

Responsive Web

Sites generate srcset URLs for different breakpoints. imgix delivers correctly sized images to phones, tablets, and desktops automatically.

E-commerce Catalogs

Retailers serve product images at every required size. Single master image generates thumbnails, grids, and zoom views via URL parameters.

User Avatars

Social platforms crop and resize profile photos consistently. Face detection ensures heads stay centered regardless of original image dimensions.

Implementation

URL Parameters

Base URL:
https://assets.example.com/photos/hero.jpg

Resize to 800px width:
https://assets.example.com/photos/hero.jpg?w=800

Auto format and quality:
https://assets.example.com/photos/hero.jpg?auto=format,compress

Face-detected crop:
https://assets.example.com/photos/portrait.jpg?w=400&h=400&fit=facearea&facepad=2

JavaScript SDK

import ImgixClient from '@imgix/js-core';

const client = new ImgixClient({
    domain: 'assets.example.com',
    secureURLToken: 'SECRET_TOKEN'
});

const url = client.buildURL('photos/hero.jpg', {
    w: 800,
    auto: 'format,compress',
    fit: 'crop',
    crop: 'faces'
});

// React with srcSet
const srcSet = client.buildSrcSet('photos/hero.jpg', {
    auto: 'format,compress'
});

Comparison & Pricing

Pricing

• Bandwidth: Per GB delivered
• Origin Requests: Per request to source
• Starter: $10/month base
• Growth: Volume discounts

vs Cloudinary

• Architecture: imgix origin-based, Cloudinary stores
• Migration: imgix no re-upload needed
• Video: Cloudinary stronger video features
• Pricing: imgix simpler per-bandwidth

Best For

• Existing image archives
• High-traffic sites needing CDN
• Teams wanting URL-based workflows
• Cost-conscious bandwidth users