# imgix Credits Explained: Delivery and Storage Pricing

> Learn how imgix credit packages combine managed media and delivery allowances, then compare the meter with Keenpix managed-delivery pricing.

Canonical HTML: [https://keenpix.com/blog/keenpix-vs-imgix](https://keenpix.com/blog/keenpix-vs-imgix)
Author: Raed Bahri
Published: 2026-07-04
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

imgix publishes a broad rendering API and uses credits across managed media, delivery, and feature-dependent transformations. This guide focuses on those billing mechanics. If you are actively selecting a vendor, use the sourced [Keenpix vs imgix decision guide](/compare/imgix-alternative) for feature fit, migration steps, and cases where imgix is the better choice.

## Two different meters [#two-different-meters]

imgix now sells monthly credit packages. Its published Starter package includes 100 credits, up to 50 GB of managed media, and up to 100 GB of delivery; larger packages raise both allowances. Unused credits do not roll over.

Keenpix meters **optimized bytes delivered through managed cloud** and does not meter the number of origin images, transformations, requests, or team members. Managed Cloudflare edge hits and application responses each count once.

|                     | Keenpix                       | imgix                                             |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Billing unit        | Keenpix managed delivery (GB) | Credit package with media and delivery allowances |
| Transformations     | Unlimited, free               | Credit use varies by feature                      |
| Large image catalog | No origin-image count         | Managed-media allowance applies                   |
| Overage             | One linear published rate     | Plan-dependent                                    |
| Self-host option    | Yes (open source, AGPL)       | No                                                |
| Entry price         | $9/mo                         | $25/mo for Starter (100 credits)                  |

*Re-verified August 31, 2026 against imgix's [current credit packages and costs](https://www.imgix.com/faq-categories/purchasing-credits-and-costs), [pricing page](https://www.imgix.com/pricing), and [credit consumption guide](https://www.imgix.com/credit-consumption). Published monthly packages run from $25 Starter (100 credits) through $500 Growth Plus (3,570 credits), with $75 Basic, $150 Midrange, and $300 Growth between them. Annual packages are about 17% lower. Transformation credit use varies by feature, so model the operations you actually call.*

## Free, unlimited transforms [#free-unlimited-transforms]

Both products give you a powerful URL-based transformation API — resize, crop, format conversion, quality, and more. The difference is the billing consequence: with Keenpix, **transformations never cost anything**, so building responsive `srcset` sets or adding modern AVIF/WebP variants has zero pricing impact.

## The self-host escape hatch [#the-self-host-escape-hatch]

The Keenpix cloud release publishes its image engine under **AGPL-3.0**. You can run that version with Docker without a Keenpix license fee, while paying for and operating the infrastructure yourself. imgix is a managed platform; its service is not a self-hosted deployment path.

For teams with compliance requirements, variable budgets, or a preference for owning their stack, that optionality matters. A move can preserve the transform grammar when you control the hostname and migration path, but it still requires infrastructure and routing work.

## When imgix is the better fit [#when-imgix-is-the-better-fit]

imgix has years of edge-network maturity and a deep rendering feature set. If you are already invested in its API and its credit-package economics fit your media and delivery usage, there may be no reason to switch. Keenpix competes on a published managed-delivery meter, included transforms and teammates, and the self-host option — not on matching every feature of a mature incumbent on day one.

## Related comparisons [#related-comparisons]

* [Keenpix vs Cloudinary](/compare/cloudinary-alternative) — pooled credits versus managed delivery.
* [Keenpix vs ImageKit](/blog/keenpix-vs-imagekit) — two delivery-pricing models, compared.
* [How the Keenpix managed-delivery meter works](/blog/transparent-image-cdn-pricing) — including its cache boundary.
* [Keenpix pricing](/pricing) — current plan limits and application-meter details.

## See your real number [#see-your-real-number]

The honest way to compare is on your own traffic. Point Keenpix at your existing origin and watch the managed-delivery meter — then decide. A migration still requires URL or hostname routing work. Or [self-host with no Keenpix license fee](/docs/self-hosting) while operating the infrastructure yourself.