Brandwave

Getty Images vs Pexels:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Pexels had more branded searches than Getty Images among stock photo libraries worldwide. Pexels had about 2.2 million branded searches, while Getty Images had 1 million. Pexels made up 25.4% of all stock photo library searches we track, and Getty Images accounted for 11.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stock photo libraries, Pexels appeared in four of the five answers and Getty Images in three. Pexels was mentioned before Getty Images in three out of five answers.

Among stock photo libraries worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Pexels, about 2 searches for every 1 for Getty Images

Pexels 2.2M searchesGetty Images 1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Pexels, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Getty Images in 3

Pexels in 4 of 5Getty Images in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Pexels, named ahead of Getty Images in 3 of 5 answers

Pexels first in 3Getty Images first in 2

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Top stock photo libraries in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pexels was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Getty Images was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pexels was listed before Getty Images in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Unsplash1st
  2. Pexels2nd
  3. Getty Images3rd
  4. iStock4th
  5. Pixabay5th
  6. Alamy6th
  7. Depositphotos7th
  8. 123RF–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Unsplash5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pexels4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Pixabay3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Getty Images3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • iStock2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Alamy1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Depositphotos1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • 123RF0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about stock photo libraries

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Getty Images or Pexels more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Getty Images and Pexels by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight stock photo libraries we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Getty Images and Pexels among stock photo libraries worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Pexels, Getty Images. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPixabayPexelsUnsplashGetty ImagesiStockAlamy123RFDepositphotos
Oct 202536.3%24.3%19.9%10.9%5.2%1.6%0.99%0.8%
Nov 202537.1%24.8%20.3%9.1%5.3%1.7%0.83%0.82%
Dec 202539.1%26.2%17.5%9.6%4.7%1.5%0.88%0.71%
Jan 202639%26.1%17.4%9.6%4.6%1.7%0.87%0.71%
Feb 202634.3%28.1%18.7%10.3%4.9%1.9%0.94%0.76%
Mar 202636%24.1%19.7%10.8%4.3%2.3%1.5%1.5%
Apr 202638.9%26.1%17.4%9.6%4.6%2.1%0.72%0.7%
May 202634.6%28.3%18.9%10.4%4.1%1.9%0.94%0.93%
Jun 202638%25.4%17%11.6%4.4%2%0.85%0.69%
Jul 202633.5%27.4%18.3%12.4%4.8%2.2%0.75%0.74%
Aug 202634.7%28.3%19%10.5%4%1.9%0.78%0.77%
Sep 202638%25.4%17%11.5%4.4%2.1%0.86%0.69%

How has the Getty Images and Pexels comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Pexels was ahead of Getty Images in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Getty Images’ share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide moved from 10.9% to 11.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pexels’ share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide moved from 24.3% to 25.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7M to 2.2M.

How did search popularity change for stock photo libraries worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Getty Images gained share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide, from 10.5% to 11.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Pexels lost share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide, from 28.3% to 25.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Getty Images’ and Pexels’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Getty Images

5 branded search terms

  • getty images
  • getty images app
  • getty images software
  • getty images stock
  • gettyimages

Pexels

1 branded search term

  • pexels

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among stock photo libraries

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