CriticalPast vs Mixkit
CriticalPast
criticalpast.com
Mixkit
mixkit.coSide by side
| Figure | CriticalPast | Mixkit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 8.9 (#4) | 8.2 (#11) |
| Founded | 2007 | Mixkit's official information page states that it was founded in 2019. |
| Video licensing | Video clips are licensed by the clip, not by the second; unmarked broadcast-ready masters are priced between $95-$295 depending on clip duration and format, including licensing and download delivery. | Videos under the Free License can be used commercially, while Restricted License clips are limited to non-commercial personal projects. |
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
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.
Mixkit
Mixkit is a free web library of digital items for creative projects, including stock video, music, sound effects, templates, and digital art. Its stock video includes HD and 4K footage, vertical clips, and no watermark. Music tracks are offered for video projects, podcasts, and online advertising, with unlimited downloads and no attribution or sign-up required. The library also includes sound effects and video templates for Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Mixkit says Premiere Pro templates require the latest Adobe Premiere Pro; After Effects is not needed to open its Mogrts or project files. License terms vary by item type. For stock video, the Restricted License is for non-commercial projects, while the Free License permits commercial use. Mixkit says items covered by its Free License can be used in commercial and non-commercial projects. Downloading grants a non-exclusive license to use an item, not ownership. The terms also prohibit scripts or bots from mass-downloading items or scraping the library.