As photographers, we often need to upload and share images quickly, and ImgBB is an ideal tool.
Having instant access to free image hosting services can make tasks like delivering images to clients both faster and simpler.
This guide runs you through how to upload and share your photographs using ImgBB and outlines the various options that this free service offers, such as auto-deletion and creating albums.
What is ImgBB?
ImgBB is a free image hosting service that allows you to upload and share images within seconds. It’s one of the quickest and most convenient ways of storing and sharing your photos online.
ImgBB allows you to store jpg, png, bmp, gif, tif, web, heic, and pdf files. These files can be up to 32 mb in size — or 64 mb if you choose to pay a subscription.
As a free image hosting service, ImgBB allows you a quick way to link or embed your uploaded pictures.
Services like ImgBB are useful if you need somewhere to host images to share with friends and family or for selling products on marketplace websites such as eBay or Craigslist.
As with all image hosting services, ImgBB’s terms and conditions state that you must not use it to upload pictures which you do not own.
- Does ImgBB delete photos?
ImgBB offers you the option of either storing your pictures permanently or automatically deleting them after a period of time.
When you add an image, you can choose to set it to auto-delete. Options range all the way from five minutes to one month.
- Who owns ImgBB?
It’s not clear who owns ImgBB, and you may wish to keep this in mind when subscribing or using it as a long-term storage solution.
How to use ImgBB
To upload a photo to ImgBB, simply head to imgbb.com and, from a Finder (macOS) or Explorer (Windows) window, drag an image onto the website.
As you drag your image onto the website, the page will change and tell you to drag and drop your file.
Alternatively, click on START UPLOADING and then browse to select your file or files.
In addition, you can cut and paste the URL of an image from a website. Simply copy the link, go to imgbb.com, and press Command (macOS) or Control (Windows) and V.
Alternatively, click on the UPLOAD button in the top right and then hit “add image URLs.” This allows you to upload photos by pasting more than one link.
After you have added your photos, ImgBB asks if you would like to store your image indefinitely or set it to auto-delete after a period of time.
At this stage, you also have the option to edit your photograph. By clicking on the pencil symbol on your image’s thumbnail, you can resize your picture, and add a title and a description.
After each image upload, ImgBB gives you a URL that you can cut and paste to share your picture.
This image hosting website offers you more features if you sign up — for free — and create an account. Once you have an account, from your Profile page, you can manage the images that you have added and also create albums.
Simply click on “Create new album,” fill out the name and, if you want, a description. Hit “Save changes” and then drag your photos into your browser window.
Once images are in an album, ImgBB gives you a link so that you can share all of the images together. View the album and click on “Share”.
If you wish to store files larger than 32 MB, you can pay a subscription. Click on “Upgrade” to see the three different tiers, the cheapest of which works out at less than $110 for three years.
Alternatives to ImgBB
- Imgur – founded in 2009, Imgur is a popular choice, especially for users who like sharing memes
- PostImage – around since 2004, PostImage includes features that allow you to add images to your own website and there’s even a smartphone app
- Photobucket – it requires a subscription but Photobucket hosts more than 10 billion images, has more than 100 million registered users and has its own print shop
Final Words
ImgBB is a convenient, free image hosting service that is quick and simple to use with useful features such as auto-delete and albums to manage your photos.
If you prefer to pay for all the security and benefits of online image storage, check out our guide for the best options.
Andy Day is a British photographer and writing, living and working in France, specialising in adventure, travel, architectural and landscape photography.
