123RF vs CriticalPast
123RF
123rf.comCriticalPast
criticalpast.comSide by side
| Figure | 123RF | CriticalPast |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16.10/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 6 | 5 |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 9.2 (#1) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Founded | 123RF states it was founded in 2005. | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Singapore | Reston, Virginia, USA |
| Intended customers | 123RF says it serves multinational companies, creative agencies, small business owners, and freelancers. | CriticalPast says it serves broadcast news, television, film, and publishing professionals, and lists production companies, broadcasters, filmmakers, advertisers, publishers, museums, and online education companies among its clients. |
| Licensing | The standard license permits unlimited social, web, email and mobile views and up to 500,000 print runs, while excluding merchandise for sale. | The site says licensed footage and still images are available worldwide, in perpetuity, for all media, subject to the selected license terms. |
| Security | INMAGINE publishes a security disclosure policy for vulnerability reports covering *.123rf.com. | The privacy policy says passwords are hashed, database servers are not accessible from outside the corporate network, and payment and billing data are handled by PayPal Braintree rather than stored on or transmitted by corporate servers. |
| Support | 123RF support provides help categories for billing, licensing, technical issues, contributor information, and online credential protection; it lists [email protected] and a phone number. | The FAQ lists staff availability for cancellation requests as 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. |
Plans
123RF
- PLUS free trialFree
- Credits$7.95, paid once
- PLUS Team$16.10 a month
- PLUS$24.50 a month
- PLUS EnterprisePriced on request
- PLUS EnterprisePriced on request
CriticalPast
- Video screenerFree
- Still image — Personal use only$5, paid once
- Still image — Standard License$20, paid once
- Still image — Premium License$30, paid once
- Broadcast-ready video clip master$95, paid once
In their own words
123RF
123RF is a stock-content service for photos, vectors, videos, audio, fonts, and AI creative tools. The site advertises more than 302 million stock assets, including vector, illustration, and editorial content. Its AI Suite includes image and video generation, upscaling, generative fill, background blur and remix, background removal, and image extension. Stock images are described as royalty-free for marketing, advertising, and business use. The Standard License permits up to 500,000 print-runs but excludes merchandise for sale; the Extended License permits unlimited print-runs and merchandise for sale. Buyers can use credits or PLUS subscriptions. Credits start at $7.95, paid once, with credits valid for one year. PLUS starts at $24.50 a month for one user and has a daily download limit; PLUS Team costs $16.10 a month per seat for up to five users. The service runs on the web and offers an API for integrating image search, viewing, and downloads. Compatible AI clients can use its MCP connection to search and license photos and vectors with an active plan. 123RF was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Singapore.
CriticalPast
CriticalPast is a web archive for searching and licensing historic video clips and still images about worldwide events, people, and B-roll from the 20th century. The site describes a collection of more than 59,000 clips and 7 million stills. Search tools include filters for decade, location, color, and sound, plus advanced operators; registered users can save and share selections in multiple lightboxes. Video is licensed by the clip. Broadcast-ready, unmarked HD masters are available in ProRes or XDCAM with multiple frame rates; the listed master plan is $95, while the stated price range is $95-$295 depending on duration and format. Full-resolution screeners are available at no charge to registered users, with timecode and the CriticalPast logo burned in. JPEG stills cost $5 for personal use, 20.00 USD for a Standard License, or 30.00 USD for a Premium License. The site says licensed material can be used worldwide, in perpetuity, across media, subject to the selected license terms. Orders are typically ready within one hour and remain available for two weeks.