Pexels

Leading free stock photo and video platform, operating as part of Canva's content ecosystem

Pexels is a popular free stock photography and video platform that provides high-quality visual content for creators, marketers, and businesses. Founded in 2014 in Germany, Pexels operates as a community-driven platform where photographers and videographers contribute content that can be used freely under the Pexels License, which allows for commercial and personal use without attribution requirements. The platform has grown to host millions of photos and videos, making it one of the largest free stock media resources available. In 2019, Pexels was acquired by Canva, the Australian graphic design platform, and now operates as a subsidiary within Canva's ecosystem. This acquisition strengthened Canva's content library and integrated Pexels' extensive media collection directly into Canva's design tools. While Pexels maintains its standalone website and brand identity, it serves as a key content resource for Canva's millions of users worldwide. Within the broader AdTech and MarTech ecosystem, Pexels plays an important role by providing visual assets that power digital advertising campaigns, social media content, website design, and marketing materials. The platform's free access model and high-quality content library make it particularly valuable for small businesses, content creators, and marketers who need professional visuals without licensing costs. Pexels generates revenue through optional sponsorships and promoted content while keeping the core service free for users.