Pillow is a free Python library for opening, editing, and saving image files. It can identify and read more than 30 raster formats, while writing is supported for a narrower range that includes common interchange and presentation formats. Its handbook covers image processing, color changes, enhancement, geometric transforms, and image sequences. Pillow runs on current Linux, macOS, and Windows systems, and version 12 supports Python 3.10 through 3.14. Installation is documented with pip using `python3 -m pip install --upgrade Pillow`. JPEG and zlib are required by default for source builds; features such as WebP, JPEG 2000, color management, and complex text layout rely on additional libraries. The library is licensed under the MIT-CMU License. When processing untrusted images, the project recommends limiting accepted formats and input size, and using sandboxing. Development and technical discussions are directed to GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Gitter; commercial support and maintenance are available through a Sonar Subscription.
Who it is for
Pillow suits Python developers who need to read, transform, and save images across Linux, macOS, or Windows. It may also fit projects that need batch conversion, resizing, or color mode conversion.
What is good
- Reads more than 30 raster formats.
- Covers color and geometric image transforms.
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Free under the MIT-CMU License.
What to know first
- Write support covers fewer formats than reading.
- Some capabilities require additional libraries.
- Source builds require JPEG and zlib by default.
Verdict
Pillow offers Python image handling across common platforms, with a wide range of reading formats and editing operations. Check its narrower write coverage and external library requirements against the formats and features your project needs.
Pillow plans and pricing
All plansCompared on image converter software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Batch conversion
- Yes
- Image resizing
- Yes
- Color mode conversion
- Yes
- API access
- Yes
