Cradle vs Fastly Image Optimizer
Cradle
cradle.soFastly Image Optimizer
fastly.comSide by side
| Figure | Cradle | Fastly Image Optimizer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.01/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 8 |
| Spec score · Image Compression Software | 6.9 (#84) | 8.5 (#12) |
| Formats | Cradle converts PNG, JPEG, WebP, and HEIC files. | Fastly Image Optimizer supports WebP, AVIF, JPEG, and PNG formats. |
Plans
Fastly Image Optimizer
- Image Optimizer — 0–100,000 image requestsFree
- Image Optimizer — Beyond 5 Billion image requests$0.01 a month
- Image Optimizer — 1 Billion–5 Billion image requests$0.02 a month
- Image Optimizer — 500 Million–1 Billion image requests$0.02 a month
- Image Optimizer — 150 Million–500 Million image requests$0.03 a month
- Image Optimizer — 50 Million–150 Million image requests$0.07 a month
- Image Optimizer — 10 Million–50 Million image requests$0.15 a month
- Image Optimizer — 100,000–10 Million image requests$0.50 a month
In their own words
Fastly Image Optimizer
Fastly Image Optimizer automates image processing and delivery for image-heavy sites and apps. It resizes, adjusts quality, crops or trims, changes orientation, converts formats, and serves images on demand at the edge. Transformations are made in real time from request parameters, avoiding the need to pre-generate and store multiple variants. Processed images are cached for reuse. Supported formats are WebP, AVIF, JPEG, and PNG; developers control resizing, quality, format, and cropping through query parameters and configuration. The service integrates with existing asset pipelines and CMS platforms while teams keep their current image sources. It can be enabled through the Fastly control panel or API, while Compute SDK access is available through a beta program. Pricing includes 100,000 image requests per month at free. Paid rates are billed per 10,000 image requests and vary by monthly volume, from $0.50 a month for 100,000–10 million requests to $0.01 a month beyond 5 billion. Every request sent to Image Optimizer, including through the SDK, counts as billable.