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Head-to-head · Stock Media APIs

Getty Images vs Pexels

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Getty Images #3 in Stock Media APIs 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Getty Images
Pexels #8 in Stock Media APIs 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Pexels

Getty Images leads on 0 checks, Pexels on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGetty Images · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Pexels

Getty Images scores higher on our rubric for stock media apis: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Getty Images is the better fit for editorial and creative image licensing via API. Pexels is the better fit for free commercial-use photo and video API access.

  • Getty Images fits best

    Editorial and creative image licensing via API

  • Pexels fits best

    Free commercial-use photo and video API access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Getty Images 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Pexels 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Stock Media APIs #8 in Stock Media APIs
Best for Editorial and creative image licensing via API Free commercial-use photo and video API access
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Pricing on request Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Getty Images 0/3 · Pexels 0/3
Commercial licensing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Attribution required Not checked yet Not checked yet
Bulk downloads Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Asset types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Max results per request Not checked yet Not checked yet
API authentication Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Searchable library spans photos, vectors, illustrations and editorial imagery
  • Image API supports application integration
  • Licensing options address commercial and publishing uses
  • Search and download stock photos and videos across web and mobile apps.
  • REST API supports media search plus curated feeds and collections.
  • Commercial-use downloads do not require attribution under the Pexels License.
Cons
  • Pricing and availability can vary by region and license type
  • Pricing is handled through sales contact
  • API-specific capabilities are less broad than broad catalogs
  • The catalog is narrower than leading stock media API options.
  • Support is limited to documentation.
  • The product focuses on stock media rather than broader creative production tools.
Our verdict

Getty Images is a web-based stock content library for businesses, publishers, agencies and creative professionals that need licensed visual material. Its searchable collection covers photographs, vector artwork, illustrations and editorial…

Read the review →

Pexels is a free stock media platform for designers, bloggers, marketers, developers and other storytellers who need searchable photos and videos. It offers a website, iOS and Android apps, and a REST API, with downloads available for…

Read the review →
  1. Getty ImagesStock Media APIs 9.0Pricing on request
  2. PexelsStock Media APIs 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Getty Images — where it wins

    • Searchable library spans photos, vectors, illustrations and editorial imagery
    • Image API supports application integration
    • Licensing options address commercial and publishing uses

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing and availability can vary by region and license type
    • Pricing is handled through sales contact
    • API-specific capabilities are less broad than broad catalogs

  • Pexels — where it wins

    • Search and download stock photos and videos across web and mobile apps.
    • REST API supports media search plus curated feeds and collections.
    • Commercial-use downloads do not require attribution under the Pexels License.

    Where it doesn't

    • The catalog is narrower than leading stock media API options.
    • Support is limited to documentation.
    • The product focuses on stock media rather than broader creative production tools.

More comparisons

All stock media APIs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update