Adobe Stock vs Pixabay
Adobe Stock
stock.adobe.comPixabay
pixabay.comSide by side
| Figure | Adobe Stock | Pixabay |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 29 | 2 |
| Spec score · Stock Photo Websites | 9.1 (#2) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Stock Illustration Websites | 9.0 (#2) | 8.2 (#13) |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 9.1 (#2) | 8.2 (#12) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editorial assets | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1982 | 2010 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, USA | Berlin, Germany |
| Illustration assets | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | Adobe Stock can be used without other Adobe products, while Creative Cloud integration lets users preview, edit, and license assets in Photoshop before purchase. | Pixabay states that Canva integrates Pixabay audio tracks into Canva's media library. |
| License limit | The Standard License generally limits print runs to 500,000 and excludes use in items for resale; an Extended License is needed for larger print runs or resale use. | Content cannot be sold or distributed on a standalone basis, and content containing recognizable trademarks cannot be used commercially in relation to goods or services. |
| Support | Adobe Stock plan pages provide a consultation request option for business plan inquiries. | Pixabay directs users to ask questions on its community forum or contact the company directly. |
| Vector assets | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Adobe Stock
- 10 standard assetsPriced on request
- 10 standard assetsPrice not published
- 25 standard assetsPrice not published
- 25 standard assetsPriced on request
- 40 standard assetsPrice not published
- 40 standard assetsPriced on request
- 750 standard assetsPriced on request
- 750 standard assetsPrice not published
- 3 standard assetsPriced on request
- 3 standard assetsPrice not published
In their own words
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is a stock library with more than 900 million images, videos, audio, templates, and other assets. Subscriptions include standard images, templates, 3D assets, and music; most plans also include HD video. AI Studio lets users edit stock images and videos before licensing and downloading them. Its tools can change colors and moods, alter image ratios, replace backgrounds, animate still images, and make text-based edits. Plans include commercial-use licensing. Adobe Stock works on the web, Android, and iOS, and provides API access. It can be used independently, or connected with Creative Cloud to preview, edit, and license assets in Photoshop before purchase. Team subscriptions pool licenses among members and are described for small to midsize businesses. Enterprise plans add configurable access, advanced administration, and deployment for midsize to large organizations. The Standard License generally limits print runs to 500,000 and excludes items for resale; larger runs or resale use require an Extended License. A seven-day trial is available, but there is no free plan. Prices for the listed plans are not provided.
Pixabay
Pixabay is a community library of royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, music, sound effects, and other media. Its About page reports more than 6.3 million assets. Users can browse on the website or Android and iOS apps, choose a download size, and download media; full-resolution photos and videos require sign-up. The content license permits free use without attribution and allows adaptations, subject to limits: media cannot be sold or distributed on its own, and recognizable trademarks cannot be used commercially in relation to goods or services. Pixabay also offers a REST API for searching and retrieving images and videos as JSON. By default, it allows up to 100 requests per 60 seconds, requires 24-hour caching, and prohibits systematic mass downloads. API users are asked to identify Pixabay as the media source when showing search results. Uploading media requires a registered account. Pixabay is a Canva Germany GmbH brand based in Berlin, and says it reviews reported or potentially violating content using automated tools and human moderators.