Pixabay review
A broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Pixabay pros and cons
- 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
Pixabay fact sheet, pricing and score →
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