Head-to-head · Stock Photo Websites
Pixabay vs 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
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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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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
- Pixabay9.1/10 · Free plan
A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.
Visit PixabayFull 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
- Shutterstock vs Pixabay
- Shutterstock vs Dreamstime
- Adobe Stock vs Pixabay
- Adobe Stock vs Dreamstime
- Pixabay vs Pexels
- Pixabay vs Unsplash
- Pixabay vs Depositphotos
- Pexels vs Dreamstime
All stock photo websites comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update



