Dreamstime vs Pexels
Dreamstime
dreamstime.comPexels
pexels.comSide by side
| Figure | Dreamstime | Pexels |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 17 | 2 |
| Spec score · Stock Photo Websites | 9.2 (#1) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 8.9 (#5) | 8.5 (#8) |
| API | Dreamstime exposes partner/search, business and enterprise/intranet API programs, with access activated after a project request. | The RESTful JSON API provides programmatic access to the full Pexels photo and video library, free of charge. |
| API access | Yes | Anyone with a Pexels account can request an API key and receive it instantly. |
| Editorial assets | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Illustration assets | Yes | Yes |
| Library size | The site reports 374 million files, 61 million users and 1.4 million contributors. | The Android listing says the app provides access to more than 3 million free high-resolution photos and videos. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | 4.3 out of 5 from 779 ratings | 4.9 out of 5 from 36K ratings |
| Rating on G2 | 4.3 out of 5 from 645 reviews | 4.6 out of 5 from 113 reviews |
| Rating on Google Play | 3.8 out of 5 from 24.9K reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 168K reviews |
| Support | The FAQ covers cancellation, selling, licensing, refunds, AI content, upload requirements, review times and tax questions. | Pexels directs API users to its Help Center for answers and troubleshooting. |
| Vector assets | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | Dreamstime is a marketplace for royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors, editorial images, videos and audio. | Pexels is a free website and app for finding and downloading stock photos and videos. |
Plans
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
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.
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.