Pexels vs Unsplash: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Pexels and Unsplash side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Unsplash leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Pexels
Free stock photos and videos for any project
Best for you if:
- • You want free photos and videos
Unsplash
Free, high-res photos from a global community of creators
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free
| At a Glance | Pexels | Unsplash |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Stock Assets Graphic Design | Stock Assets Design |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 112 reviews | 4.8/5 G2 4.7 · SourceForge 5.0 107 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Pexels or Unsplash?
Choose Pexels if
- You want free photos and videos
- You want high quality content
Choose Unsplash if
- You want completely free
- You want high-quality images
In-Depth Analysis
Pexels
Free stock photos and videos for any project
Pexels offers an incredibly generous pricing model, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free photos and videos
- Pro: High quality content
- Pro: No attribution required
- Pro: Easy search
Weaknesses
- Con: Popular content overused
- Con: Less curated than premium sites
- Con: Limited advanced filters
Key features
Unsplash
Free, high-res photos from a global community of creators
Unsplash's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers all its core features, including unlimited high-resolution downloads and commercial use, completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free
- Pro: High-quality images
- Pro: No attribution needed
- Pro: Large library
Weaknesses
- Con: Popular images overused
- Con: Limited search filters
- Con: No exclusive content
Key features
Plans and prices: Pexels vs Unsplash
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pexels |
| pexels.com read Oct 7, 2026 |
| Unsplash |
| unsplash.com/pricing read Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Pexels pricing and Unsplash pricing.
Key Takeaways
Pexels
- Choose if you want free stock photos and videos for any project
Unsplash
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Unsplash leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Unsplash has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 112 reviews for Pexels, 4.8/5 from 107 reviews for Unsplash).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Pexels and Unsplash compare in 2026?
On the data below, Unsplash leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Unsplash has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 112 reviews for Pexels, 4.8/5 from 107 reviews for Unsplash). Both have a free plan.
What are Pexels and Unsplash used for?
Pexels: Free stock photos and videos for any project. Unsplash: Free, high-res photos from a global community of creators.
What does Pexels cost vs Unsplash?
Pexels is free. Unsplash is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Pexels and Unsplash?
Pexels's main strength: free photos and videos. Unsplash's main strength: completely free.