When you're building with SmallPict's API/SDK, one of the first decisions you'll make is how images get delivered to your users: through your own CDN account, or through ours.
Bring Your Own CDN (BYOK)
Bring Your Own storage and CDN (BYOK) — one of two options on Velocity and Momentum — means you connect your own storage (Amazon S3, Cloudflare R2, Google Cloud Storage or another S3-compatible service) together with your own Cloudflare or Amazon CloudFront CDN (the CDNs supported today; more are planned), and SmallPict handles compression and optimization while your own infrastructure handles delivery. Files delivered or stored this way live in your own account, so you stay responsible for them, including your own backups.
This is the right choice if you:
- Already have existing CDN infrastructure with committed pricing.
- Want granular control over caching rules, edge workers, and your own domains (managed in your CDN account).
- Need to keep bandwidth costs directly on your own cloud provider bill.
On Velocity and Momentum, you choose: use SmallPict storage (50 GB) and the SmallPict CDN with a bandwidth cap, or bring your own storage and CDN. If you bring your own, SmallPict has no involvement with that data or with the CDN's performance; those are your responsibility.
Fully Managed Global CDN
Fully Managed CDN — the default on Velocity and Momentum — means SmallPict provisions, configures, and monitors image delivery for you through the SmallPict CDN (cdn.smallpict.app), our global edge network. Originals are kept in SmallPict's secure, encrypted cloud storage.
This is the ideal option if you:
- Prefer not to manage another piece of cloud infrastructure.
- Want global image delivery to just work out of the box with zero DevOps maintenance.
- Want generous bandwidth bundled into one predictable monthly subscription.
Architecture Comparison
| Capability | Bring Your Own CDN | Fully Managed CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 5 - 10 minutes | Instant (0 minutes) |
| Bandwidth Bill | Directly to your Cloud Provider | Bundled in SmallPict Plan |
| Your Own Domain | Yes, managed in your own CDN account | No, served from cdn.smallpict.app |
| Edge Cache Purge | Triggered via API / SDK | Automated on Upload |
Which One Should You Pick?
If your priority is cost minimization at scale and you already manage your own S3-compatible buckets, BYOK gives you total freedom. If your priority is shipping fast without worrying about DNS certificates and CDN edge invalidation, Managed CDN is your best bet.
Not sure which fits your project? Check out our API Documentation or reach out to our team.