Head-to-head · Stock Photo Websites
Pexels vs Dreamstime
Pexels leads on 0 checks, Dreamstime on 0, and 5 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 scorePexels · 9.0/10
- Free planboth
Pexels scores higher on our rubric for stock photo websites: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
Pexels is the better fit for free photos and video with strong integrations. Dreamstime is the better fit for free users needing broad stock and office integrations.
- Pexels fits best
Free photos and video with strong integrations
- Dreamstime fits best
Free users needing broad stock and office integrations
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Side by side
| Feature | Pexels 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Dreamstime 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #4 in Stock Photo Websites | #7 in Stock Photo Websites |
| Best for | Free photos and video with strong integrations | Free users needing broad stock and office integrations |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Pexels 4/4 · Dreamstime 4/4 | ||
| Vector assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Illustration assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editorial assets | ✓ | ✓ |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Monthly downloads | Not checked yet | 5 /mo |
| Included team seats | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Pexels is a free stock media website for individuals, businesses, creators, and developers. Its library combines searchable photos and videos contributed by a global creator community, with downloads for personal and commercial projects… Read the review → |
Dreamstime is a stock media licensing platform for individual creators, publishers, agencies, businesses and enterprise teams. Its catalog covers royalty-free photos, vector graphics, illustrations, editorial imagery, video footage, music… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Pexels — where it wins
- Free downloads for personal and commercial projects under the Pexels license
- Searchable photo and video libraries with curated feeds and collections
- Integrations across Canva, Figma, Google Slides, Office, and developer workflows
Where it doesn't
- Focused on stock photos and video rather than broader asset-production workflows
- API access is aimed at developers embedding media into websites and applications
- Desktop workflows depend on web access, browser extensions, and integrations
Dreamstime — where it wins
- Free and public-domain collections broaden access to stock media
- Microsoft Office, Google Docs and WordPress integrations support content workflows
- APIs, corporate accounts and AI-assisted tools extend business use
Where it doesn't
- The listed subscription tier includes 5 downloads per month
- Monthly and annual options shown are limited to the 5-image plan
- Corporate sub-account seat limits are not stated on the official page
- Pexels9.0/10 · Free plan
A free stock media library with useful integrations, mobile apps, and API access.
Visit PexelsFull verdict → - Dreamstime8.7/10 · Free plan
A broad stock media library with free collections, integrations, APIs and AI-assisted tools.
Visit DreamstimeFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- Pexels vs Unsplash
- Pexels vs Depositphotos
All stock photo websites comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update



