Pixabay

Leading free stock media platform with millions of users worldwide

Pixabay is a vibrant community-driven platform that offers over 4.5 million high-quality stock photos, videos, illustrations, vectors, and music, all released under a simplified license that allows free use for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Founded in 2010 by Hans Braxmeier and Simon Steinberger in Germany, the platform has grown to become one of the largest free stock media repositories on the internet, serving millions of users worldwide including designers, marketers, content creators, and businesses. In 2019, Pixabay was acquired by Canva, the Australian graphic design platform, and now operates as a subsidiary while maintaining its distinct brand and free-to-use model. The platform continues to serve as a valuable resource for creative professionals and casual users alike, offering an alternative to paid stock photography services. While not a traditional AdTech company, Pixabay plays a role in the broader digital content ecosystem by providing creative assets that support advertising, marketing, and content creation activities. Pixabay generates revenue through a combination of sponsored content, affiliate partnerships with stock photography services like Shutterstock and iStock, and integration with its parent company Canva's ecosystem. The platform's community-driven approach, with thousands of contributing photographers and artists, combined with its generous licensing terms, has established it as a go-to resource for accessible, high-quality visual content.