Pixabay
Pixabay: A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API. Ranked #3 of 80 in Stock Photo Websites by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free stock media with vectors and an API.
At a glance
- Editor score9.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree stock media with vectors and an API
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2010 · Berlin, Germany
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Pixabay
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 download and adapt content under the Pixabay Content License, making it suitable for projects that need varied visual or audio media without a paid plan. Mobile apps extend browsing, downloading and uploading to iOS and Android, while the web experience supports the broader library.
Breadth is the main reason to choose Pixabay. The platform combines standard stock photos with vector graphics, illustrations, editorial images, video, music, sound effects, GIFs and 3D models. That range can help creators and publishers source different asset types in one place. Registered creators can also upload media, adding a contribution path alongside search and download workflows. The Content License permits modification or adaptation of downloaded content, but use remains subject to prohibited uses and third-party rights, so each asset still calls for appropriate license review.
For teams building media discovery into a product, Pixabay offers a REST API for searching and retrieving images and videos. That makes the platform more relevant to developers than a download-only library, although the documented API scope is narrower than the full media collection. Choose Pixabay if free access, vector assets, broad media coverage and mobile support matter most. Consider another option if your workflow requires an API for music, sound effects or other non-image and non-video assets, or if your use case does not fit the Content License restrictions.
Your product? Our editors can test Pixabay in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Pixabay pricing
Pixabay fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Vector assets | Yes |
| Illustration assets | Yes |
| Editorial assets | Yes |
| Monthly downloads | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Included team seats | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | pixabay.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Pixabay
- ShutterstockA broad stock-media library with API access, AI tools, and team controls.9.3
- Adobe StockA broad stock library with strong Creative Cloud and API workflows.9.2
- PexelsA free stock media library with useful integrations, mobile apps, and API access.9.0
See all Pixabay alternatives →
Pixabay vs the competition
- Pixabay vs Shutterstock
- Pixabay vs Adobe Stock
- Pixabay vs Pexels
- Pixabay vs Unsplash
- Pixabay vs Depositphotos
- Pixabay vs Dreamstime
Compare Pixabay with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Pixabay is ranked in 5 of our directories.
Used Pixabay? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Pixabay for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Pixabay is listed in our Stock Photo Websites directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/pixabay/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/pixabay.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update