Pixabay vs Unsplash

PPixabay9.1Visit Unsplash8.9Visit

Higher score P Pixabay #3 in Stock Photo Websites 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Pixabay

vs

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

• Pixabay fits best

  Free stock media with vectors and an API

• Unsplash fits best

  Free photo browsing with a capable developer API

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Side by side

Feature	PPixabay 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Unsplash 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.9
Ranking	#3 in Stock Photo Websites	#5 in Stock Photo Websites
Best for	Free stock media with vectors and an API	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	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Pixabay 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 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 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	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	Some content and editing tools require Unsplash+ Free downloads remain subject to Unsplash License restrictions Developer API workflows require technical implementation
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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• PPixabay9.1/10 · Free plan

  A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.

  Visit PixabayFull 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 →