CriticalPast vs Dreamstime
CriticalPast
criticalpast.com
Dreamstime
dreamstime.comSide by side
| Figure | CriticalPast | Dreamstime |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 17 |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 8.9 (#4) | 8.9 (#5) |
| Founded | 2007 | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Reston, Virginia, USA | Brentwood, Tennessee, United States |
| Search | Users can search and browse the collection, with search refinements for decade, location, color, and sound. | Dreamstime provides a multi-tiered advanced search engine with detailed filtering. |
| Support | The FAQ lists staff availability for cancellation requests as 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. | The FAQ covers cancellation, selling, licensing, refunds, AI content, upload requirements, review times and tax questions. |
Plans
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
Dreamstime
- 5 imagesPrice not published
- 10 imagesPrice not published
- 15 imagesPrice not published
- 25 imagesPrice not published
- 200 imagesPrice not published
- 750 imagesPrice not published
- 5 images annualPrice not published
- 10 images annualPrice not published
- 15 images annualPrice not published
- Audio 1 per month$20 a month
In their own words
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.
Dreamstime
Dreamstime is an image asset service offering vector, illustration, and editorial assets. It provides API access and lists a free plan with five downloads per month. Image bundles are available in quantities of 5, 10, 15, 25, 200, and 750 images. Each quantity has a listed plan and an annual plan, while the provided facts do not state prices for any of them. The service is listed for the API platform. Dreamstime was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, United States. Buyers can choose among the stated asset types, use the API in supported workflows, and compare bundle sizes from five through 750 images. The free allowance supplies a defined monthly download limit, whereas the paid bundle entries identify image counts and billing periods but no amounts. Annual options cover the same six quantities as the other bundle entries. Dreamstime is also identified as the maker, with no additional platform information listed.