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Head-to-head · Stock Photo Websites

Pixabay vs Dreamstime

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Pixabay #3 in Stock Photo Websites 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Pixabay
Dreamstime #7 in Stock Photo Websites 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Dreamstime

Pixabay 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 scorePixabay · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Pixabay scores higher on our rubric for stock photo websites: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Pixabay is the better fit for free stock media with vectors and an API. Dreamstime is the better fit for free users needing broad stock and office integrations.

  • Pixabay fits best

    Free stock media with vectors and an API

  • Dreamstime fits best

    Free users needing broad stock and office integrations

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 Pixabay 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Dreamstime 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #3 in Stock Photo Websites #7 in Stock Photo Websites
Best for Free stock media with vectors and an API 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 Email, Community, Docs Email, Phone
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Pixabay 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
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
Cons
  • 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
  • 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
Our verdict

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 →

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 →
  1. PixabayStock Photo Websites 9.1Free plan
  2. DreamstimeStock Photo Websites 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • 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

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update