GitHub's user-attachments (pasting an image into an issue or PR) is the easiest way to host an image inside GitHub. The catch: the URL is tied to GitHub's session and isn't usable outside the platform. swiftimg gives you a permanent public URL you can paste anywhere — README, blog, Slack, forum.
swiftimg vs GitHub user-attachments at a glance
| Feature | swiftimg | GitHub user-attachments |
|---|---|---|
| Public, no-login URL | Yes | Tied to GitHub session |
| Works outside GitHub | Anywhere | GitHub UI only (in practice) |
| Permanent direct URL | Yes | Tied to user/session |
| Upload from CLI / API | Yes | Web UI only |
| On-the-fly resize | Yes (signed) | No |
| Animated GIF → WebP grid | Automatic | No |
List prices as of 2026 for context — directional, not apples-to-apples. Check each provider for current pricing.
When GitHub user-attachments is the better choice
GitHub user-attachments if your audience is always logged into GitHub and the image only lives inside an issue/PR thread.
swiftimg vs GitHub user-attachments — FAQ
Will my README image render through GitHub's camo proxy?
Yes — GitHub proxies external images through camo.githubusercontent.com. swiftimg URLs work through camo because they're plain HTTPS with no auth headers.
Can I migrate existing user-attachment URLs?
Open the issue/PR with the image, download it, and upload to swiftimg. Then replace the GitHub URL in your README.
Why does GitHub change attachment URLs sometimes?
GitHub rotates the signed-URL portion of attachments occasionally, which is one of the reasons external hosts are more reliable for public READMEs.
Ready to switch from GitHub user-attachments?
Start free, then unlock the full API, transforms, signed URLs, and a custom domain on the Developer plan.