Pexels vs Unsplash

PPexels9.0Visit Unsplash8.9Visit

Higher score P Pexels #4 in Stock Photo Websites 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Pexels

vs

Unsplash #5 in Stock Photo Websites 8.9/10 Free plan · 90-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Unsplash

• Pexels fits best

  Free photos and video with strong integrations

• Unsplash fits best

  Free photo browsing with a capable developer API

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Side by side

Feature	PPexels 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Unsplash 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.9
Ranking	#4 in Stock Photo Websites	#5 in Stock Photo Websites
Best for	Free photos and video with strong integrations	Free photo browsing with a capable developer API
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	90 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Pexels 4/4 · Unsplash 4/4
Vector assets	✓	✓
Illustration assets	✓	✓
Editorial assets	✓	✓
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Monthly downloads	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Included team seats	Not checked yet	1 seats
Our review
Pros	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	Free downloads from an open library under the Unsplash License API supports search, editorial feeds, image URLs, and transformations Works across web, mobile, Chrome, macOS, and Figma workflows
Cons	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	Some content and editing tools require Unsplash+ Free downloads remain subject to Unsplash License restrictions Developer API workflows require technical implementation
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 →	Unsplash is a visual asset platform for people who need photos, illustrations, and other visual content for creative, commercial, editorial, or personal projects. Its open library supports browsing, searching, downloading, and organizing… 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

• Unsplash — where it wins

  • Free downloads from an open library under the Unsplash License
  • API supports search, editorial feeds, image URLs, and transformations
  • Works across web, mobile, Chrome, macOS, and Figma workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Some content and editing tools require Unsplash+
  • Free downloads remain subject to Unsplash License restrictions
  • Developer API workflows require technical implementation

• PPexels9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free stock media library with useful integrations, mobile apps, and API access.

  Visit PexelsFull verdict →
• Unsplash8.9/10 · Free plan · 90-day trial

  A broad free visual library with collections, mobile tools, Figma support, and a capable API.

  Visit UnsplashFull verdict →