Head-to-head · Stock Photo Websites
Pixabay vs Pexels
Pixabay leads on 0 checks, Pexels 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 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.
Pixabay is the better fit for free stock media with vectors and an API. Pexels is the better fit for free photos and video with strong integrations.
- Pixabay fits best
Free stock media with vectors and an API
- Pexels fits best
Free photos and video with strong integrations
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Side by side
| Feature | Pixabay 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Pexels 9.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 9.0 |
| Ranking | #3 in Stock Photo Websites | #4 in Stock Photo Websites |
| Best for | Free stock media with vectors and an API | Free photos and video with strong integrations |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Pixabay 4/4 · Pexels 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 | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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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 → |
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 → |
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
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
- Pixabay9.1/10 · Free plan
A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.
Visit PixabayFull verdict → - Pexels9.0/10 · Free plan
A free stock media library with useful integrations, mobile apps, and API access.
Visit PexelsFull verdict →
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- Pexels vs Unsplash
All stock photo websites comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update