Pexels

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Score8.9

Rank#2 of 80

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, API, Browser extension, iOS, Web

Summary

Pexels is a free photo and video library for designers, bloggers, and anyone who needs downloadable visuals. Its photos and videos can be used for personal or commercial projects without attribution. The service lists vector, illustration, and editorial assets, and offers Android and iOS apps, a web service, and browser and design-tool add-ons. Accounts can save collections and likes, track downloads, follow photographers, upload content, and receive a personalized homepage. Developers can use its free REST API to access the library in JSON; default API keys allow 200 requests per hour and 20,000 per month. Pexels lists Canva, Typeform, Sketch, and Airtable as API partners. The API cannot be used to reproduce Pexels or build wallpaper and image-gallery apps. Pexels also says generative-AI-created uploads are not allowed. The listed Free plan costs 0.00 USD per free.

Who it is for

Pexels suits people looking for reusable photos and videos, as well as developers who need programmatic library access. Its apps, extension, and design-tool integrations also suit people who want to work with visuals across those tools.

What is good

Photos and videos permit commercial use without attribution.
Free plan includes API access.
Accounts offer collections and download history.
Apps and plugins cover several platforms and tools.

What to know first

API defaults to 200 requests per hour.
API cannot power wallpaper or image-gallery apps.
Generative-AI-created uploads are not allowed.

Verdict

Pexels combines a downloadable visual library with account tools and a free API. Check the API limits and restrictions if you plan to build with its content.

Pexels plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free free photos and videos · API 200 requests/hour · API 20,000 requests/month pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026

Compared on stock photo websites

Free plan: Yespexels.com
Vector assets: Yespexels.com
Illustration assets: Yespexels.com
Editorial assets: Yespexels.com
API access: Yespexels.com

Facts

Product: Pexels is a free stock photo and video website and app for designers, bloggers and anyone seeking downloadable visuals.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
License: Photos and videos are free for personal and commercial use without attribution.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Account features: Accounts provide collections, download history, photographer follows, a personalized homepage, likes and uploading.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
API: The RESTful JSON API provides programmatic access to the full Pexels photo and video library, free of charge.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
API limits: API keys default to 200 requests per hour and 20,000 requests per month.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Integrations: Pexels identifies Canva, Typeform, Sketch and Airtable as API partners.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Apps and plugins: Official tools include iOS and Android apps, a Chrome extension, Google Slides add-on, Figma plugin and Sketch plugin; a community MS Office add-in is also listed.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
API restrictions: The API may not be used to replicate Pexels or create wallpaper and image-gallery apps.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Security: Pexels says it uses commercially reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal data.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Privacy rights: The privacy policy lists rights to access, rectify, delete, restrict, port and object to processing of personal data.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Audience: Pexels says hundreds of thousands of photographers and videographers contribute and millions of people use the media, from startups to global brands.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
AI content policy: Pexels says uploads of content created with generative AI are not allowed.help.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026
Support: Pexels directs API users to its Help Center for answers and troubleshooting.pexels.com · 1 Oct 2026