CriticalPast vs Pexels
CriticalPast
criticalpast.comPexels
pexels.comSide by side
| Figure | CriticalPast | Pexels |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 2 |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 8.9 (#4) | 8.5 (#8) |
| Audience | CriticalPast says it serves broadcast news, television, film, publishing, production, advertising, museum, and online education professionals. | Pexels says hundreds of thousands of photographers and videographers contribute and millions of people use the media, from startups to global brands. |
| Product | CriticalPast is a searchable online collection of historic footage and still images spanning the 20th century. | Pexels is a free stock photo and video website and app for designers, bloggers and anyone seeking downloadable visuals. |
| Security | 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. | Pexels says it uses commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data. |
| Support | The FAQ lists staff availability for cancellation requests as 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. | Pexels directs API users to its Help Center for answers and troubleshooting. |
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.
Pexels
Pexels is a free photo and video library available on the web and through apps and add-ons. Its downloadable photos and videos are licensed for personal and commercial use without attribution. The site lists vector, illustration, and editorial assets. Accounts add collections, download history, photographer follows, a personalized homepage, likes, and uploading. Developers can use the free RESTful JSON API to access the photo and video library programmatically. API keys default to 200 requests per hour and 20,000 requests per month; the API may not be used to reproduce Pexels or make wallpaper and image-gallery apps. Official tools include iOS and Android apps, a Chrome extension, Google Slides add-on, and Figma and Sketch plugins. A community MS Office add-in is also listed. Pexels identifies Canva, Typeform, Sketch, and Airtable as API partners. Its listed Free plan costs nothing. Pexels says uploads created with generative AI are not allowed.