Head-to-head · Stock Media Software
Pexels vs iStock
Pexels leads on 0 checks, iStock 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 scorePexels · 9.0/10
- Free planonly Pexels
Pexels scores higher on our rubric for stock media software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
Pexels is the better fit for free photo and video downloads with API access. iStock is the better fit for buyers needing images, editorial assets and video.
- Pexels fits best
Free photo and video downloads with API access
- iStock fits best
Buyers needing images, editorial assets and video
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Side by side
| Feature | Pexels 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | iStock 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #4 in Stock Media Software | #7 in Stock Media Software |
| Best for | Free photo and video downloads with API access | Buyers needing images, editorial assets and video |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | $29/user/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Support | Docs | Email, Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business |
| Specs | ||
| Asset formats | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Free downloads | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Paid download limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| License scope | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Video resolution | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Team seats | Not checked yet | 1 |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Pexels gives designers, bloggers, marketers, developers and other storytellers free access to searchable stock photos and videos contributed by a creator community. Downloads are available for personal and commercial use under the Pexels… Read the review → |
iStock brings royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors, editorial content and video into a web-based stock-media library. It suits solo buyers and small businesses that need creative assets, with editorial filtering for finding… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Pexels — where it wins
- Free photo and video downloads with commercial use and no required attribution
- Collections, contributor profiles and challenges support content discovery
- REST API offers search plus curated feeds and collections
Where it doesn't
- A narrower catalog than paid all-media libraries
- Support is limited to documentation
- Not a fit for buyers seeking a paid stock-media plan
iStock — where it wins
- Royalty-free photos, vectors, illustrations and editorial filtering
- Boards, Dropbox integration and Getty Images API access
- Premium + Video combines images, video, music and sound effects
Where it doesn't
- Annual plans start at $29 per user monthly
- Every listed plan includes a single-user standard license
- Video is included only in the $125 Premium + Video tier
- Pexels9.0/10 · Free plan
A free source of searchable photos and videos, with mobile apps and API access.
Visit PexelsFull verdict → - iStock8.7/10 · Paid
A stock-media library with image tiers, editorial filtering and a video-inclusive plan.
Visit iStockFull verdict →
More comparisons
All stock media software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update