Pexels Review: Best Free Stock Photos & Videos for Creators?
As a graphic designer, I always look for high-quality stock photos and videos to enhance my projects. Pexels has been my go-to platform, providing an extensive library of free content that never impresses me (I used it a lot when designing posters). Whatever creative project I’m working on, Pexels always has something that perfectly matches my vision.
But with so many stock photography and video websites out there, it can be difficult to determine which is best for creators like myself. That’s why I decided to delve deeper into Pexels and explore what sets it apart from the competition.
In this Pexels review, we will closely examine Pexels, a free stock photo and video platform that has become a go-to resource for creators. Whether you need visuals for commercial purposes or personal projects, Pexels offers a vast collection of free stock images and videos to cater to your creative needs!
Verdict
Pexels stands out with its vast library of over 3.2 million high-quality images and videos available for commercial use, complemented by a user-friendly interface that streamlines navigation and downloads, promoting efficiency. While its photography challenges encourage creativity and engagement, its limitations in offering only images and videos might deter users seeking a broader range of assets compared to some competitors.
Pros
- Over 3.2 million high quality images and videos are suitable for commercial use.
- Excellent user experience with easy navigation simplifies image search and download processes, enhancing overall image use efficiency.
- Photography challenges foster creativity and engagement.
- No need for a subscription.
- Watermark free!
Cons
- Limited to images and videos.
- Doesn’t offer as many assets as some other image sites.
What is Pexels?
Pexels is a stock photo platform that provides over 3.2 million high-quality images and videos. It aims to bridge the gap between creators needing stock media and photographers looking to showcase their work. The platform offers images and videos that can be used for commercial purposes, eliminating the need for licensing or royalties.
As a creator, finding the perfect stock photo or video is crucial for enhancing your content. With its user-friendly app and interface, Pexels has become a go-to platform for creators like myself seeking stunning visuals to elevate their work.
Who is Pexels Best For?
Pexels caters to various creators:
- Bloggers: Pexels is a valuable resource for bloggers who need visually appealing images to accompany their written content. Whether running a personal blog or a professional website, Pexels offers high-quality stock photos and videos to enhance your blog posts and attract more readers.
- Social Media Managers: If you are responsible for managing social media accounts, you understand the importance of captivating visuals. Pexels provides an extensive library of free stock images and videos to help you create eye-catching posts across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Graphic Designers: Designers rely heavily on visual elements to bring their creations to life. Pexels offers a wide variety of high-quality images and videos that can be used in graphic design projects, whether designing websites or promotional materials. With Pexels, graphic designers can access a vast collection of visuals that can inspire and enhance their creative process.
- Small Business Owners: For small business owners on a tight budget, investing in professional photography or videography may not always be feasible. Pexels provides an excellent solution by offering free Pexel stock images and videos that can be used for commercial purposes. Whether you need visuals for your website, social media posts, or marketing materials, Pexels has you covered.
- Content Creators: Content creators, whether you’re a YouTuber, podcaster, or just creating content for your personal brand, Pexels is a game-changer. With its vast collection of high-quality stock photos and videos, you can easily find the perfect visuals to enhance your content and make it more engaging.
Pexels Features
Here are the main features that come with Pexels:
- Photos
- Videos
- Leaderboard
- Challenges
1. Photos
Pexels’ primary resource is its vast collection of high-quality stock photos suitable for various creative projects. Whether you’re looking for images for your blog, social media, or commercial use, Pexels has a diverse selection!
With new images constantly added to the platform, you’ll always find fresh and captivating visuals to enhance your content. I know I have. plus, you can filter these images based on the trending or new ones.
2. Videos
In addition to its extensive photo library, Pexels also offers a wide range of free stock videos. From breathtaking nature footage to captivating time-lapses, the platform has a diverse collection to suit various creative needs.
Whether you’re creating videos for social media, advertisements, or presentations, Pexels provides high-quality stock footage that will bring your vision to life!
3. Leaderboard
Pexels features a leaderboard that showcases the work of top photographers and videographers on the platform. You can filter the leaderboard based on “Recent” and “All Time” and see who’s currently leading each one.
This algorithm-driven ranking displays the most influential contributors, allowing you to discover new talent and popular images. The leaderboard is not only a way to recognize the creative achievements of contributors, but it also serves as inspiration for other creators. It’s a win-win!
Engage with the top photographers and their stunning stock images, and stay up to date with the latest trends in visual content.
4. Challenges
One of my favorite parts of Pexels is their challenges. They offer exciting photography challenges to inspire creators and enhance their skills.
These challenges allow you to showcase your talent and creativity in specific themes. Participating in Pexels photography challenges allows you to engage with the community, gain exposure, and refine your craft. Who knows, you could win a cash prize worth thousands of dollars!
Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting, these challenges are a fantastic way to push your creative boundaries and develop your photography skills.
How to Download Assetsfrom Pexels
Downloading assets from Pexels couldn’t be easier, and you don’t have to create an account:
- Go to Pexels
- Select Photos or Videos
- Type in a keyword
- Download!
Step 1: Go to Pexels
Start by going to the Pexels homepage.
Step 2: Select Photos or Videos
In the search bar, select photos or videos to narrow down your search results.
Step 3: Type in a keyword
Type a keyword into the search bar. When you click on the search bar, Pexels will show you trending topics and collections, so take advantage of those if you need some inspiration for what to search.
Step 4: Download!
Browse the assets, hover over the one you like, and hit “Download”! You can also collect or like this photo.
If you click the photo itself, this opens a new page with even more options. You can follow or donate to the creator, edit the photo in Canva, choose a size, get photo details, or share it.
One of my favorite parts is if you keep scrolling, Pexels will show you more photos like this one, allowing you to discover even more visuals. It functions similarly to Pinterest and is a never-ending stream of inspiration!
Pexels License: What You Need to Know
Understanding the licensing of stock photos and videos is crucial for content creators. Let’s explore the licensing terms offered by Pexels and how they benefit creators seeking high-quality stock content without legal restrictions.
Pexels operates under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, allowing personal and commercial use of its content without attribution. This means you can download, modify, and use images and videos from Pexels for free, even for commercial purposes, without needing attribution.
With Pexels, you can save time and effort on licensing agreements, ensuring you can use the stock content without legal restrictions. It’s important, however, to carefully read the licensing agreement for each image or video to ensure compliance with specific usage terms.
Contributing to Pexels
If you are a talented photographer or videographer looking to showcase your work and gain exposure, consider contributing to Pexels, where your images and videos can reach a global audience of over 30 million and be used by creators worldwide!
You don’t get paid per download, but you can get donations, and Pexels is an excellent way to get exposure to one of the largest free visual libraries on the Internet. You’ll also join a community of over 320,000 photographers for more connections.
How to Upload and Share Your Work on Pexels
Uploading and sharing your work to Pexels couldn’t be easier:
- Select Upload
- Create an Account
- Share Your Work!
Step 1: Select Upload
Start by going to the Pexels homepage and selecting “Upload” on the top right.
Step 2: Create an Account
Create an account either through your Google account or with your email.
Step 3: Share Your Work!
Once your account has been created, you can drag and drop or browse to upload your photos or videos! You can upload fifty assets daily in various file formats, including JPEG, PNG, and MP4.
Not only will your work be seen by millions of users on the Pexels platform, but it may also be featured in various projects such as websites, blogs, and social media posts. Sharing your work on Pexels opens doors for collaboration, recognition, and artistic growth.
With a vast user base and an active community, Pexels provides a platform to showcase your creative work and connect with other like-minded individuals in the creative industry!
Top 3 Pexels Alternatives
While Pexels offers many free stock photos and videos, comparing it to other stock photo platforms is essential. Let’s look at how Pexels measures against its competitors when meeting content creators’ creative needs.
Unsplash
Unsplash is one of the top alternatives to Pexels regarding free stock photos. With over 5 million high-resolution images, Unsplash offers a vast library for content creators. That’s more than what Pexels offers, but Unsplash only offers images, whereas Pexels offers both images and videos.
Unsplash is known for its stunning and diverse collection, ranging from nature and landscapes to urban and lifestyle photography. Users can easily search for specific images or browse through curated collections to find the perfect visual for their projects.
If you want access to millions of images and videos, go for Pexels. For more stunning images, go for Unsplash!
Pixabay
Pixabay is another popular choice for those seeking free stock photos. With over 4.6 million images and videos available, Pixabay provides a wide range of options to suit various creative needs.
The platform offers a user-friendly interface, making searching for specific images or exploring different categories easy. Whether you’re looking for business-related visuals, abstract designs, or breathtaking landscapes, Pixabay has got you covered.
In addition to images and videos, Pixabay also has a library of music, illustrations, and vectors. Go for Pixabay for the most variety of creative assets. Otherwise, choose Pexels for high-quality stock images and videos!
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is among the most well-established stock agencies with the biggest collection of high-quality images and videos. It offers a wide range of content, including photos, videos, music, and even an AI image generator.
With over 475 million assets, Shutterstock caters to diverse creative needs across various industries. Whether working on a marketing campaign, designing a website, or creating social media posts, you can find the perfect visuals on Shutterstock. The platform also provides advanced search filters and licensing options to ensure you can easily find and use content that meets your requirements.
For the most assets overall, choose Shutterstock. Otherwise, Pexels is an excellent choice for high-quality images and videos!
Read my Shutterstock review!
Pexels Review: Is it the Best for Stock Photos & Videos?
Pexels is a valuable resource for creators looking for high-quality, royalty-free stock photos and videos. Its user-friendly interface and lack of subscription fees make it an attractive choice for beginners and experienced professionals. The vast collection of photos and videos and features like the leaderboard and challenges add fun and engagement to the platform.
While other free stock photo websites are available, Pexels stands out for its ease of use and high-quality assets. The photos and videos on Pexels all look professional, and downloading them couldn’t be easier. All assets are covered under the Pexels license, meaning there is no need for attribution, and these assets can be safely used for personal and commercial use.
Thanks for reading my Pexels review! I hope you found it helpful in determining whether or not it’s the best stock assets resource for you. Pexels is a reliable and convenient option for creators seeking visually appealing assets to enhance their projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pexels safe?
Yes, Pexels is safe to use. The platform has a clear license agreement for all its images and videos. They ensure that all the uploaded content is licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CC0), making it free for personal and commercial purposes. However, you should always read the licensing agreement carefully before using any content from Pexels.
Is Pexels legit?
Yes, Pexels is a reputable platform for free stock photos and videos. Thanks to its Creative Commons Zero license, it offers a wide range of high-quality visuals that can be used for commercial purposes without attribution.
Does Pexels cost money?
Pexels is completely free to use. All photos and videos on Pexels are licensed under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, allowing for personal or commercial use without attribution.
Can you make money using Pexels?
Pexels photos or videos can only be sold if they have been edited, modified, or enhanced in some way. However, it’s not permitted to sell or upload Pexels content on other stock photo or wallpaper platforms, even if they have been altered.
What is better than Pexels?
While Pexels is a popular choice for free stock photos and videos, other options like Unsplash, Pixabay, and Shutterstock offer unique libraries worth exploring. The best option ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Can Pexels images be used commercially?
Yes, Pexels images can be used for commercial purposes.
Can I use Pexels images to sell?
Yes, Pexels images can be used to sell. While Pexels contributors value receiving credit, it is not mandatory.
Where can I get 100% free images?
You can get 100% free images from Pexels and other websites offering free images, including Unsplash, Pixabay, and Shutterstock. But don’t forget to check the licensing terms before using these images.
