Link copied to clipboard # PixaBay vs Shutterstock Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/pixabay/shutterstock-shutterstock/export.csv) PixaBayShutterstock[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **PixaBay** No pricing available **Shutterstock** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **PixaBay** Not enough reviews yet **Shutterstock** 5 months Based on 59 responses Return on Investment **PixaBay** Not enough reviews yet **Shutterstock** 13 months Based on 57 responses Perceived Cost **PixaBay** $$$$$ **Shutterstock** $$$$$ Average Discount **PixaBay** Not enough reviews yet **Shutterstock** 9% **Pros & Cons** from reviews **PixaBay** [ Easy Search (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2001801&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Free Content (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1537994&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Image Issues (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2517962&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Limited Content (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2517966&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Shutterstock** [ Images (50) ](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1919311&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Video Availability (37) ](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1918812&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Expensive (33) ](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1917668&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Cost (19) ](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1918587&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **PixaBay** Not enough data **Shutterstock** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_0d6021e1f6253f85ed0eb22a67eb101b/adobe-photoshop.png "Product Avatar Image") Photoshop ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7777b3dffcf633e3b8b328a0f135c7c5/adobe-premiere-pro.png "Product Avatar Image") Premiere Pro ](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-premiere-pro/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/integrations) Screenshots **PixaBay** No screenshot available **Shutterstock** ![Shutterstock screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1297768/Shutterstock-Editorial.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **PixaBay** 8.9 8.9128 **Shutterstock** 8.9 8.9522 Ease of Use **PixaBay** 9.4 9.4128 **Shutterstock** 9.1 9.1526 Ease of Setup **PixaBay** 9.6 9.613 **Shutterstock** 9.1 9.1173 Ease of Admin **PixaBay** 9.3 9.312 **Shutterstock** 9.0 9.0124 Quality of Support **PixaBay** 8.5 8.584 **Shutterstock** 8.4 8.4433 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **PixaBay** 9.4 9.48 **Shutterstock** 8.8 8.8126 Product Direction (% positive) **PixaBay** 8.4 8.4124 **Shutterstock** 8.0 8.0507 **Features** ratings from reviews Stock Footage 7.7 32 7.8 227 Stock Music Not enough data 8.7 113 User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 58.0% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 33.8% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 8.3% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 58.0% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 33.8% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 8.3% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 62.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.2% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 7.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 62.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.2% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 7.5% **Reviewers' Industry** [![PixaBay](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_2b9911c5a74d477e3886980b13ab419a/pixabay.png "PixaBay")](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews) PixaBay Consumer Services 17.2% Marketing and Advertising 10.8% Information Technology and Services 5.1% Computer Software 5.1% Writing and Editing 4.5% Other 57.3% [![Shutterstock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/19dd39b419f93df66c0f7f5549667c3b/shutterstock-shutterstock.svg "Shutterstock")](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) Shutterstock Marketing and Advertising 18.3% Graphic Design 9.1% Design 6.3% Computer Software 4.9% Information Technology and Services 4.9% Other 56.7% Alternatives **PixaBay Alternatives** ![Storyblocks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a53858b24c39c32d87876ded80439b1/storyblocks.svg "Storyblocks") [ Storyblocks ](/products/storyblocks/reviews) ![Pexels](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_08cc4908743faa23a928ec55a48c7827/pexels.jpg "Pexels") [ Pexels ](/products/pexels/reviews) ![Adobe Stock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c92ae2255a769e0f012c9d6c6b5c9ede/adobe-adobe-stock.svg "Adobe Stock") [ Adobe Stock ](/products/adobe-adobe-stock/reviews) ![iStock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_866db67bfdbf973da16c24dd7965b41b/getty-images-istock.jpg "iStock") [ iStock ](/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) **Shutterstock Alternatives** ![Storyblocks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a53858b24c39c32d87876ded80439b1/storyblocks.svg "Storyblocks") [ Storyblocks ](/products/storyblocks/reviews) ![iStock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_866db67bfdbf973da16c24dd7965b41b/getty-images-istock.jpg "iStock") [ iStock ](/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) ![123RF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0e3009cc93667a83e5d6ce3ff3319598/123rf.jpg "123RF") [ 123RF ](/products/123rf/reviews) ![Vecteezy](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c09fcde10f2fcbf011dbe92edadac585/vecteezy.svg "Vecteezy") [ Vecteezy ](/products/vecteezy/reviews) ## PixaBay vs Shutterstock FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Shutterstock vs PixaBay? Shutterstock and PixaBay differ most clearly in their pricing model and content exclusivity, with Shutterstock offering a paid, premium library and PixaBay providing free stock content. | [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) | [PixaBay](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.4/5 (656 reviews) | 4.4/5 (164 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 9.1 | 9.6 | | 8.4 | 8.5 | | Images (49 all-time mentions) | Free Content (2 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of Shutterstock and PixaBay compare? PixaBay is considered the stronger value due to its free content and higher Price/Cost satisfaction scores from reviewers. - **Shutterstock:** In recent reviews, many cite high costs and expensive subscription plans as a drawback, especially for frequent or large-scale use. - **PixaBay:** Reviewers consistently highlight the platform's free access to high-quality images and videos as a major advantage for budget-conscious users. - **Switching Reason:** Several reviewers mention leaving Shutterstock due to rising costs and switching to free alternatives like PixaBay for more affordable access to stock content. ### What are the best alternatives to Shutterstock and PixaBay? The top 3 alternatives to Shutterstock and PixaBay are Storyblocks, iStock, and Pexels. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) | 4.4/5 (656) | Small-Business | Pricing can be expensive for frequent use | Massive, high-quality image and video library | | [PixaBay](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews) | 4.4/5 (164) | Small-Business | Free access to images and videos | Free, high-quality stock content | | [Storyblocks](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblocks/reviews) | 4.6/5 (429) | Small-Business | — | Extensive video and audio library | | [iStock](https://www.g2.com/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) | 3.5/5 (117) | Small-Business | — | Brand recognition and professional content | | [Pexels](https://www.g2.com/products/pexels/reviews) | 4.6/5 (113) | Small-Business | — | Free, high-quality images and videos | ### Which Stock Photos features should I prioritize when comparing Shutterstock and PixaBay? Buyers should prioritize content quality, pricing model, ease of use, search functionality, and licensing clarity when comparing Shutterstock and PixaBay. - **Content Quality:** Shutterstock: 36 all-time mentions for quality; PixaBay: 2 all-time mentions for quality. - **Pricing Model:** Shutterstock: 31 all-time mentions for being expensive; PixaBay: 2 all-time mentions for free content. - **Ease of Use:** Shutterstock: 34 all-time mentions; PixaBay: 1 all-time mention. - **Search Functionality:** Shutterstock: 28 all-time mentions for easy search; PixaBay: 2 all-time mentions for easy search. - **Licensing Clarity:** Shutterstock: Multiple reviewers highlight clear licensing; PixaBay: Reviewers note simple, free licensing for commercial use. ### What are the pros and cons of Shutterstock vs PixaBay? Shutterstock's headline strength is its massive, high-quality library, while PixaBay's is its free, accessible content. - **Shutterstock strengths:** Massive image and video library (49 all-time mentions for images, 36 for video availability), high content quality (36 mentions), easy search and user-friendly interface (34 mentions). - **Shutterstock trade-offs:** High cost and expensive subscription (31 mentions for expensive, 18 for cost), repetitive content (12 mentions), pricing issues and rigid cancellation policies (11 mentions). - **PixaBay strengths:** Free access to high-quality images and videos (2 mentions for free content, 2 for quality), easy search and use (2 mentions for easy search), accessible for small businesses and freelancers. - **PixaBay trade-offs:** Limited content and selection compared to paid platforms (1 mention each for limited content and selection), repetitive content (1 mention), variable quality due to open contributions. ### Is Shutterstock or PixaBay better for small businesses? PixaBay is better suited for small businesses due to its free content and higher Ease of Doing Business With score. - **Shutterstock:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers note the platform's high-quality content but frequently cite cost as a barrier for small teams. - **PixaBay:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently highlight the value of free, high-quality images and videos for budget-conscious small businesses. ### Which Stock Photos platform has better integrations? Reviewers indicate parity between Shutterstock and PixaBay for integrations, with no significant advantage for either platform. - **Shutterstock:** Recent reviews mention integration with creative tools, but no specific third-party tools are cited with sufficient frequency for a publishable count. - **PixaBay:** Reviewers mention integration with CloudSocial and note the availability of a mobile app, but no third-party tool reaches a publishable mention count. ### How do Shutterstock and PixaBay compare on customer support? Shutterstock and PixaBay are rated at parity on Quality of Support, with scores of 8.4 and 8.5 respectively. - **Shutterstock:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive but note occasional delays and dissatisfaction with billing and cancellation support. - **PixaBay:** Reviewers consistently report positive support experiences, highlighting helpfulness and ease of resolving issues. ### Which is easier to implement, Shutterstock or PixaBay? PixaBay is rated higher for Ease of Setup, with a score of 9.6 versus Shutterstock's 9.1, indicating a smoother implementation experience. - **Shutterstock:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward and user-friendly, with most reporting quick onboarding and minimal training required. - **PixaBay:** Reviewers consistently highlight the platform's ease of setup, noting that it is fast, intuitive, and accessible for new users. ### Which product has better Subscription? Shutterstock is more frequently cited for its Subscription feature, but reviewers express mixed satisfaction due to pricing and cancellation policies. - **Shutterstock:** Subscription is a recurring theme in reviews, with many citing the flexibility of plans but also noting issues with cost and cancellation; 31 all-time mentions for expensive pricing and 11 for pricing issues. - **PixaBay:** Subscription is not a major theme, as the platform is free and does not require a paid subscription for access to its core content.