Stockvault
Stockvault: A free stock media community with broad asset types, licensing options and API search. Ranked #12 of 80 in Stock Photo Websites by our editors (8.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free stock photos with API access.
At a glance
- Editor score8.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree stock photos with API access
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Founded2004
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free photos, vectors, illustrations, textures and backgrounds
- API supports image queries and latest-photo searches
- Commercial, non-commercial and CC0 licensing options
Where it doesn't
- Licensing terms vary by contributor and individual asset
- API access requires an API key
- The collection includes multiple asset types to filter and review
Our verdict on Stockvault
Stockvault is a free, web-based stock media community for designers, bloggers, students, webmasters and other creatives who need downloadable visual assets. Its catalog includes stock photos, vector images, illustrations, textures and backgrounds. Users can search and browse categories, create accounts, build collections and upload images. Founded in 2004, Stockvault is operated by Curly Eskimo ehf and combines contributor-uploaded media with image moderation.
The pricing model is straightforward: Stockvault is free, with a free plan covering its core collection and access through the web. The main consideration is licensing rather than tier selection. Individual contributors can offer commercial, non-commercial or Creative Commons materials, so the permitted use depends on the asset and its stated license. This makes Stockvault a practical starting point for projects that need varied visual media, while teams should review the license attached to each image before publishing or distributing it.
For workflows that need programmatic discovery, Stockvault also provides API access for image queries and latest-photo searches with an API key. That gives developers a way to connect image search to a website or other service, while the web interface supports category browsing, collections and account-based uploads. The platform suits users who value a free catalog with more than photographs alone and want an API option. It is less suitable for buyers seeking a single uniform license across every asset or a paid plan structure with standardized feature tiers.
Your product? Our editors can test Stockvault in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Stockvault pricing
Stockvault fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Vector assets | Yes |
| Illustration assets | Yes |
| Editorial assets | Not verified |
| Monthly downloads | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Included team seats | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | stockvault.net |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Stockvault
- 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
- PixabayA broad free media library with vector assets, mobile apps and an image-and-video API.9.1
See all Stockvault alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
Stockvault is listed in our Stock Photo Websites directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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