Discord's CDN (cdn.discordapp.com / media.discordapp.net) hosts files you upload into chat. Attachment URLs are signed with a short-lived `?ex=` parameter that rotates roughly daily, which makes them unsuitable for embedding outside Discord. swiftimg gives you a permanent, globally cached URL that's safe to embed anywhere.
swiftimg vs Discord CDN at a glance
| Feature | swiftimg | Discord CDN |
|---|---|---|
| URL expiry | Never | ~24h signed (rotating) |
| Usable outside Discord | Anywhere | Effectively no (URL rotates) |
| Per-message size cap | Plan-based, well above 25 MB | 25 MB (free) / 50 MB (Nitro Basic) |
| OpenGraph / oEmbed share page | Yes | No |
| Free, no-account uploads | Yes | Discord account required |
| Resize on the fly | Yes (signed) | No |
List prices as of 2026 for context — directional, not apples-to-apples. Check each provider for current pricing.
When Discord CDN is the better choice
Discord's CDN if the image will only ever be seen inside Discord chat and you don't need the URL anywhere else.
swiftimg vs Discord CDN — FAQ
Why are Discord image URLs expiring?
Discord signs CDN URLs with a short-lived `?ex=` parameter so they're only valid for about a day, then rotate. They re-sign on view inside Discord, but the literal URL stops working for outside embeds.
Will the image still embed in Discord if I host on swiftimg?
Yes — paste the swiftimg URL and Discord unfurls it inline. No upload required, and the link survives in archives.
What size files can I upload?
Free plan accepts files well above Discord's 25 MB cap; paid plans raise it further. See /pricing for the exact figures.
Switching from Discord CDN?
Image hosting for Discord
Upload images and GIFs to swiftimg and paste a direct link in Discord. The link unfurls inline, and you skip Discord's per-message attachment limit.
Image hosting for Slack
Upload images and GIFs to swiftimg and paste the URL into Slack. The link unfurls with an inline preview, with no per-channel storage cap.
Image hosting for Telegram
Upload to swiftimg and share the link in a Telegram chat or channel for a permanent URL with inline preview.
Discord image links expiring? Here's how to fix it permanently
Discord's cdn.discordapp.com URLs now expire after about 24 hours. Re-host on an external image host with a permanent URL so embeds outside Discord don't break.
How to embed an image anywhere: HTML, Markdown, BBCode & forums
A practical guide to embedding an image on a website, in Markdown, on a forum, or in a README — with copy-paste snippets and tips for fast, reliable hotlinking.
Weigh it up before you migrate: swiftimg pricing and plan limits next to Discord CDN, and the image hosting API documentation covering uploads, transforms and signed URLs.
Ready to switch from Discord CDN?
Start free, then unlock the full API, transforms, signed URLs, and a custom domain on the Developer plan.