CriticalPast vs Pixabay
CriticalPast
criticalpast.comPixabay
pixabay.comSide by side
| Figure | CriticalPast | Pixabay |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 8.2 (#12) |
| Downloads | Video clips are available as full-resolution HD masters or screeners, with selectable codecs and frame rates; still images are downloadable JPEG files. | Users can choose a download size from a media page, and must sign up to download full-resolution photos and videos. |
| Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Reston, Virginia, USA | Berlin, Germany |
| Support | The FAQ lists staff availability for cancellation requests as 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. | Pixabay directs users to ask questions on its community forum or contact the company directly. |
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.
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.