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Pillow

python-pillow.org

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Spec score 7.5 #27 of 36 in Image Converter Software

What it is

Pillow is a free, open-source Python library for opening, editing, and saving image files. It can identify and read more than 30 raster formats, while its write support is narrower and covers common interchange and presentation formats. Its documented operations include image processing, color transforms, enhancement, geometric transforms, and image sequences. Pillow supports current Linux, macOS, and Windows systems; its version 12 support table covers Python 3.10 through 3.14. The project documents installation with pip using `python3 -m pip install --upgrade Pillow`. JPEG and zlib are required by default for source builds, while WebP, JPEG 2000, color management, and complex text layout rely on additional libraries. The project flags parsing untrusted image data as its primary attack surface and recommends safeguards including format allowlists, input limits, and sandboxing. Pillow uses the MIT-CMU License. Development and technical discussions are directed to GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Gitter; the core maintainers are volunteers. Commercial support and maintenance are available through a Sonar Subscription.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Pillow adds image processing capabilities to Python for opening, editing, and saving image files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org
Support
Development and technical discussions are directed to GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Gitter, and the core maintainers are volunteers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org
License
Pillow is licensed under the open source MIT-CMU License.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Founded
2010Read 28 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org
Commercial support
The project says commercial support and maintenance for Pillow are available as part of the Sonar Subscription.Read 30 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org
Ecosystem use
The project site names Django, Wagtail, Home Assistant, and Matplotlib as projects that use Pillow for image-related tasks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org
Image formats
The library can identify and read over 30 raster file formats, while write support is less extensive and covers most common interchange and presentation formats.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Image operations
The handbook covers image processing, color transforms, enhancement, geometrical transforms, and image sequences.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Install
The project documents installation with pip using `python3 -m pip install --upgrade Pillow`.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Optional features
Some capabilities require external libraries; JPEG and zlib are required by default when building from source, while WebP, JPEG 2000, color management, and complex text layout use additional libraries.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Python versions
Pillow 12 supports Python 3.10 through 3.14 according to the version support table.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Security guidance
The security documentation identifies parsing untrusted image data as Pillow’s primary attack surface and recommends mitigations such as format allowlists, input limits, and sandboxing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Supported systems
The project aims to support current versions of Linux, macOS, and Windows, and documents platform-specific build and test targets.Read 30 Sep 2026 · pillow.readthedocs.io
Vulnerability reporting
The project directs users to report sensitive vulnerability information privately on GitHub, with a Tidelift contact as an alternative.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Pillow Free Open source software · optional commercial support and maintenance through Sonar Subscription Read 30 Sep 2026 · python-pillow.org

Every Pillow plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Reads more than 30 raster formats
  • Supports current Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Python 3.10 through 3.14 supported by version 12
  • Free under the MIT-CMU License
  • Documents safeguards for untrusted image data

Limits

  • Write support is narrower than read support
  • Some capabilities require additional libraries
  • Core maintainers are volunteers

Who it suits

Pillow suits Python developers who need to open, transform, or save image files across Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may also fit projects that need a free library and can account for optional external libraries or untrusted-image safeguards.

Verdict

Pillow provides broad image-reading support and a documented set of image operations at no cost. Check its narrower write-format coverage and additional-library requirements against the work you need to do.

Where Specifiction places it

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