Pillow

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What Pillow is

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 suits

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 it does well

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.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Pillow	Open source software · optional commercial support and maintenance through Sonar Subscription	Free

As python-pillow.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Install Python 3.10 through 3.14 for Pillow 12.
Install Pillow with `python3 -m pip install --upgrade Pillow`.
Use the library in a Python application on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Add external libraries if you need capabilities such as WebP, JPEG 2000, color management, or complex text layout.

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.

Questions

How much does Pillow cost?

The listed Pillow plan costs nothing. The library is open source, and commercial support and maintenance are available through a Sonar Subscription.

Which operating systems does Pillow support?

Pillow aims to support current versions of Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Which Python versions does Pillow 12 support?

The version support table covers Python 3.10 through 3.14.

Is Pillow open source?

Yes. Pillow is licensed under the MIT-CMU License.

What image formats can Pillow handle?

It can identify and read more than 30 raster formats. Its write support is less extensive and covers most common interchange and presentation formats.

How do developers get support for Pillow?

Development and technical discussions are directed to GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Gitter. Commercial support and maintenance are available through a Sonar Subscription.

Facts from Pillow's own pages

Commercial support: The project says commercial support and maintenance for Pillow are available as part of the Sonar Subscription. · python-pillow.org, 30 Sept 2026
Ecosystem use: The project site names Django, Wagtail, Home Assistant, and Matplotlib as projects that use Pillow for image-related tasks. · python-pillow.org, 30 Sept 2026
Founded: 2010 · python-pillow.org, 28 Sept 2026
Image formats: The library can identify and read over 30 raster file formats, while write support is less extensive and covers most common interchange and presentation formats. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Image operations: The handbook covers image processing, color transforms, enhancement, geometrical transforms, and image sequences. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Install: The project documents installation with pip using `python3 -m pip install --upgrade Pillow`. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
License: Pillow is licensed under the open source MIT-CMU License. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Optional features: Some capabilities require external libraries; JPEG and zlib are required by default when building from source, while WebP, JPEG 2000, color management, and complex text layout use additional libraries. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Purpose: Pillow adds image processing capabilities to Python for opening, editing, and saving image files. · python-pillow.org, 30 Sept 2026
Python versions: Pillow 12 supports Python 3.10 through 3.14 according to the version support table. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Security guidance: The security documentation identifies parsing untrusted image data as Pillow’s primary attack surface and recommends mitigations such as format allowlists, input limits, and sandboxing. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Support: Development and technical discussions are directed to GitHub, Stack Overflow, and Gitter, and the core maintainers are volunteers. · python-pillow.org, 30 Sept 2026
Supported systems: The project aims to support current versions of Linux, macOS, and Windows, and documents platform-specific build and test targets. · pillow.readthedocs.io, 30 Sept 2026
Vulnerability reporting: The project directs users to report sensitive vulnerability information privately on GitHub, with a Tidelift contact as an alternative. · github.com, 30 Sept 2026

Where Pillow stands on Freedom251

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