Dreamstime vs Pixabay
Dreamstime
dreamstime.comPixabay
pixabay.comSide by side
| Figure | Dreamstime | Pixabay |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 8.8 (#7) |
| Spec score · Stock Illustration Websites | 8.9 (#4) | 8.2 (#13) |
| Spec score · Stock Video Websites | 8.9 (#5) | 8.2 (#12) |
| API | Dreamstime exposes partner/search, business and enterprise/intranet API programs, with access activated after a project request. | Pixabay provides a REST API for searching and retrieving royalty-free images and videos, returning JSON results. |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editorial assets | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 2000 | 2010 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Brentwood, Tennessee, United States | Berlin, Germany |
| Illustration assets | Yes | Yes |
| Support | The FAQ covers cancellation, selling, licensing, refunds, AI content, upload requirements, review times and tax questions. | Pixabay directs users to ask questions on its community forum or contact the company directly. |
| Vector assets | Yes | Yes |
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.
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.