Uploadcare vs Cloudinary: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Uploadcare and Cloudinary comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Uploadcare
File handling platform
Best for you if:
- • You need cloud storage features specifically
- • Uploadcare is a file handling platform for developers
- • It provides file uploads, CDN delivery, and image transformations
Cloudinary
Image and video management
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need image editing features specifically
- • Media management and delivery platform
- • Image and video optimization on the fly
| At a Glance |  Uploadcare |  Cloudinary |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Cloud Storage | Image Editing |
Rating | 82/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Uploadcare | Cloudinary |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Cloud StorageDigital Asset Management | Image EditingCDN |
How Uploadcare and Cloudinary Compare
Uploadcare
File handling platform
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Cloudinary
Image and video management
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Uploadcare is a cloud storage tool. Cloudinary is in image editing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Uploadcare
Want the highest-rated option?
Uploadcare: 82/100. Cloudinary: 88/100.
Go with: Cloudinary
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cloudinary
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Uploadcare is a cloud storage tool. Cloudinary is in image editing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Cloudinary scores higher: 88/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Cloudinary
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Uploadcare
- Better fit for cloud storage
The Bottom Line
Cloudinary (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uploadcare or Cloudinary better?
Cloudinary scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Uploadcare and Cloudinary used for?
Uploadcare: File handling platform. Cloudinary: Image and video management.
What does Uploadcare cost vs Cloudinary?
Uploadcare is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Cloudinary is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.