Head-to-head · Stock Photo Websites
Adobe Stock vs Pixabay
Adobe Stock leads on 0 checks, Pixabay on 1, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAdobe Stock · 9.2/10
- Free planonly Pixabay
- Free trialonly Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock scores higher on our rubric for stock photo websites: 9.2 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.
Pixabay offers free plan; Adobe Stock doesn't.
Adobe Stock is the better fit for creative Cloud users needing stock assets. Pixabay is the better fit for free stock media with vectors and an API.
- Adobe Stock fits best
Creative Cloud users needing stock assets
- Pixabay fits best
Free stock media with vectors and an API
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Side by side
| Feature | Adobe Stock 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Pixabay 9.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 9.1 |
| Ranking | #2 in Stock Photo Websites | #3 in Stock Photo Websites |
| Best for | Creative Cloud users needing stock assets | Free stock media with vectors and an API |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Adobe Stock 4/4 · Pixabay 4/4 | ||
| Vector assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Illustration assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editorial assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Monthly downloads | 10 /mo | Not checked yet |
| Included team seats | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Adobe Stock is a web-based stock content service for designers, businesses, and other creative users. Its library covers photos, videos, illustrations, vector graphics, templates, 3D assets, audio, and editorial content. Users can search… Read the review → |
Pixabay is a free stock-media platform for creators, publishers, marketers and other users. Its library covers searchable photos, illustrations, vector graphics, editorial images, videos, music, sound effects, GIFs and 3D models. Users can… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Adobe Stock — where it wins
- Integrates with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere, and After Effects
- Offers visual search, watermarked previews, and Creative Cloud Libraries
- Supports subscriptions, credit packs, and API licensing workflows
Where it doesn't
- No free plan is available
- API access is restricted to approved enterprise customers and partners
- Annual plans are paid monthly and limit monthly asset allowances
Pixabay — where it wins
- Free access to photos, vectors, illustrations, editorial images and more
- REST API supports searching and retrieving images and videos
- Mobile apps support browsing, downloading and uploading content
Where it doesn't
- Content use is subject to prohibited uses and third-party rights
- The API covers images and videos rather than every media type
- Uploading requires users to register as creators
- Adobe Stock9.2/10 · 7-day trial
A broad stock library with strong Creative Cloud and API workflows.
Visit Adobe StockFull verdict → - Pixabay9.1/10 · Free plan
A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.
Visit PixabayFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Shutterstock vs Adobe Stock
- Shutterstock vs Pixabay
- Adobe Stock vs Pexels
- Adobe Stock vs Unsplash
- Adobe Stock vs Depositphotos
- Adobe Stock vs Dreamstime
- Adobe Stock vs iStock
- Pixabay vs Pexels
All stock photo websites comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update