Pixabay
Pixabay operates a free, community-driven stock media platform offering 6.2 million+ royalty-free assets across photos, videos, music, sound effects, vectors, illustrations, 3D models, and GIFs, serving creators, designers, marketers, students, and developers globally across 30+ languages.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersNeu-ulm, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Pixabay does
Pixabay operates a free, community-driven stock media platform distributing 6.2 million+ assets across eight media categories: photos (4.4M+), illustrations (1.15M+), vectors (160k+), videos (230k+), music (260k+), sound effects (120k+), 3D models (3,500+), and GIFs (12k+). The platform is built on a cloud-based content delivery architecture with CDN-backed downloads and is localized in 30+ languages. All assets are made available under the Pixabay License for commercial and non-commercial use without direct payment from end users. Contribution flows from an active creator community that uploads content, participates in themed contests, and engages via forums and an ambassador program, while editorial curation (Editor's Choice, Curated Collections, Pixabay Radio) shapes discovery.
The product surface spans self-serve web search and download, a Developer API for programmatic access, and direct integrations with Canva for in-flow image editing. Recent platform extensions include a 3D model library in GLB format, an AI Music submission framework, and the Pixabay Radio streaming playlist experience. The technology stack emphasizes frictionless consumption: no account required for standard downloads, multi-format support across 2D, video, audio, and 3D, and SEO-optimized category and topic pages driving organic inbound demand.
Pixabay operates as a privately held company with a freemium monetization model. It does not charge users for content; revenue mechanics are indirect, relying on advertising and partnership economics, most notably the Canva integration which funnels Pixabay traffic into Canva's paid editing services via tracked referral links. The platform serves a horizontal customer base across content creators, marketing professionals, designers, video producers, students, hobbyists, and developers, with no single dominant customer segment disclosed.
Pixabay firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pixabay
- Website
- https://pixabay.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pixabay operates a free, community-driven stock media platform offering 6.2 million+ royalty-free assets across photos, videos, music, sound effects, vectors, illustrations, 3D models, and GIFs, serving creators, designers, marketers, students, and developers globally across 30+ languages.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pixabay industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Stock Media & Digital Content Marketplace
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms (BPAMAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Creator Music/SFX Asset Libraries & Licensing Platforms (MPACABAM), Stock Motion Graphics Assets & Templates (MPAHACAO)
Keywords
Where Pixabay is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Neu-ulm
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Pixabay business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Free Content Distribution: The platform provides free access to all content under the Pixabay License, generating value through traffic, brand presence, and potentially indirect revenue from partnerships and advertising without directly charging end users
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Access - All content types available at no cost |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Pixabay product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pixabay operates a free, community-driven stock media platform distributing over 6.2 million royalty-free assets across eight categories — photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, music, sound effects, 3D models, and GIFs — under the Pixabay License for personal and commercial use. Content is uploaded by a global community of contributors, indexed and moderated on the platform, and made available via direct web downloads, a Developer API, and partner integrations such as Canva.
Product overview
Pixabay is a comprehensive creative media platform offering over 6.2 million+ free assets across eight core product categories: Photos (4.4M+), Illustrations (1.15M+), Vectors (160k+), Videos (230k+), Music (260k+), Sound Effects (120k+), 3D Models (3.5k+), and GIFs (10k+). The platform operates as a unified marketplace where creators upload and share content under the Pixabay License for free personal and commercial use. Beyond the core asset library, Pixabay offers curated editorial features including Editor's Choice selections and themed Curated Collections, a streaming music service called Pixabay Radio with themed playlists, and a Developer API for programmatic access. The platform fosters community engagement through contests, forums, creator profiles, and ambassador programs, while integrating with design tools like Canva for direct image editing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stock Photos Royalty-free photographs uploaded by community contributors, available for free download and commercial use under the Pixabay License without attribution. Targeted at bloggers, designers, marketers, and content creators.
- Illustrations Royalty-free illustrations provided by community contributors, downloadable for free and usable commercially under the Pixabay License. Targeted at designers, publishers, and content creators.
- Vectors Scalable vector graphics uploaded by community contributors, available for free download and commercial use under the Pixabay License. Targeted at graphic designers and illustrators.
- Stock Videos Royalty-free video footage contributed by the community, free to download and use commercially under the Pixabay License. Targeted at video editors, YouTubers, and filmmakers.
- Music Royalty-free music tracks including AI-generated music contributed by community creators, free to download and use commercially under the Pixabay License. Targeted at video producers, podcasters, and content creators.
- Sound Effects Royalty-free sound effects uploaded by community contributors, available for free download and commercial use under the Pixabay License. Targeted at video editors, game developers, and podcasters.
- 3D Models Royalty-free 3D models contributed by the community, free to download and use commercially under the Pixabay License. Targeted at 3D artists, game developers, and AR/VR creators.
- GIFs Royalty-free animated GIFs contributed by the community, free to download and use commercially under the Pixabay License. Targeted at content creators, social media managers, and marketers.
- Pixabay Developer API Programmatic access to Pixabay's media library for developers and product teams integrating royalty-free images, videos, music, and other media into their own applications and websites.
- Pixabay Radio In-browser streaming radio that plays royalty-free music from Pixabay's catalog, providing free background audio for users. Targeted at general listeners and content creators browsing for music.
Companies that use Pixabay
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Pixabay technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Pixabay partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CanvaminorPixabay content is integrated into Canva's editing platform through 'Edit image' buttons on Pixabay assets. Users clicking 'Edit image' are directed to Canva's background removal tool and other editing features, creating a seamless workflow from Pixabay discovery to Canva editing. This partnership drives traffic to Canva while providing Pixabay users with convenient editing tools.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pixabay competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pexels: Direct free stock photo and video competitor; both platforms offer royalty-free media under permissive licenses with community-contributed libraries and similar SEO-led discovery models.
- Unsplash: Free stock photography platform with community-driven library and similar licensing model; serves the same content creator, marketer, and designer segments as Pixabay.
- Freepik: Freemium stock graphics platform offering photos, vectors, PSDs, and icons; closest direct competitor in multi-format free stock with freemium monetization overlay.
- Storyblocks: Subscription-based stock video, audio, and image platform; comparable unlimited-download model and overlapping customer base of video producers and content creators.
- Artlist: Subscription licensing platform for royalty-free music, sound effects, and footage for video creators; directly competes with Pixabay's music and SFX categories.
Broad incumbents
- Shutterstock: Leading paid stock media marketplace with broad library across photos, video, music, and editorial content; competes for the same end users but operates a premium subscription/credit model rather than free.
- Getty Images: Premium stock photography and editorial media company serving enterprise, news, and creative markets; broader incumbent with higher-end positioning and licensing infrastructure.
- iStock: Getty-owned budget-friendly stock media platform offering photos, illustrations, video, and audio; competes in the same SMB stock media segment as Pixabay but with a paid model.
- Adobe Stock: Adobe's stock media marketplace integrated into Creative Cloud; broad incumbent with deep workflow integration into professional design tools, competing for the same designer and marketer segments.
Emerging players
- Picsart: AI-powered creative platform with stock asset library and editing tools; emerging competitor that combines generative AI with stock content, mirroring where Pixabay is heading.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pixabay social profiles
Digital presencePixabay financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pixabay leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Pixabay funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pixabay M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pixabay
What does Pixabay do?
Pixabay operates a free, community-driven stock media platform distributing over 6.2 million royalty-free assets across eight categories — photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, music, sound effects, 3D models, and GIFs — under the Pixabay License for personal and commercial use. Content is uploaded by a global community of contributors, indexed and moderated on the platform, and made available via direct web downloads, a Developer API, and partner integrations such as Canva.
Is Pixabay a public or private company?
Pixabay is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Pixabay founded?
Pixabay was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pixabay based?
Pixabay is headquartered in Neu-ulm, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Pixabay make money?
One revenue line is on record: free Content Distribution.
Who are Pixabay's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pexels, Unsplash, Freepik, Storyblocks and Artlist. Broad incumbents are Shutterstock, Getty Images, iStock and Adobe Stock. Picsart is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pixabay have an API?
Yes. Pixabay exposes a public API. Developer documentation is at pixabay.com/service/about/api.
What industry is Pixabay in?
Pixabay's product category is Stock Media & Digital Content Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAM, Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms, with a secondary code of MPACABAM, Creator Music/SFX Asset Libraries & Licensing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7330.