iStock vs Pexels:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pexels had more branded searches than iStock among stock photo libraries worldwide. Pexels had about 2.2 million branded searches, while iStock had 384,000. Pexels made up 25.4% of all stock photo library searches we track, and iStock accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stock photo libraries, Pexels appeared in four of the five answers and iStock in two. Pexels was mentioned before iStock in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Pexels, about 6 searches for every 1 for iStock
Who does AI mention more?
Pexels, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, iStock in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Pexels, named ahead of iStock in 4 of 4 answers
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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. iStock was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pexels was listed before iStock in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Unsplash1st- Pexels2nd
Getty Images3rd
iStock4th
Pixabay5th
Alamy6th
Depositphotos7th
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stock photo library should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stock photo libraries?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stock photo library for creative projects?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“royalty free photos”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stock photos for websites”
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 iStock or Pexels more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for iStock 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.
Share of searches by month for Pexels, iStock. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Pixabay | Pexels | Unsplash | Getty Images | iStock | Alamy | 123RF | Depositphotos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 36.3% | 24.3% | 19.9% | 10.9% | 5.2% | 1.6% | 0.99% | 0.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.1% | 24.8% | 20.3% | 9.1% | 5.3% | 1.7% | 0.83% | 0.82% |
| Dec 2025 | 39.1% | 26.2% | 17.5% | 9.6% | 4.7% | 1.5% | 0.88% | 0.71% |
| Jan 2026 | 39% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 9.6% | 4.6% | 1.7% | 0.87% | 0.71% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.3% | 28.1% | 18.7% | 10.3% | 4.9% | 1.9% | 0.94% | 0.76% |
| Mar 2026 | 36% | 24.1% | 19.7% | 10.8% | 4.3% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.9% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 9.6% | 4.6% | 2.1% | 0.72% | 0.7% |
| May 2026 | 34.6% | 28.3% | 18.9% | 10.4% | 4.1% | 1.9% | 0.94% | 0.93% |
| Jun 2026 | 38% | 25.4% | 17% | 11.6% | 4.4% | 2% | 0.85% | 0.69% |
| Jul 2026 | 33.5% | 27.4% | 18.3% | 12.4% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 0.75% | 0.74% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.7% | 28.3% | 19% | 10.5% | 4% | 1.9% | 0.78% | 0.77% |
| Sep 2026 | 38% | 25.4% | 17% | 11.5% | 4.4% | 2.1% | 0.86% | 0.69% |
How has the iStock and Pexels comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pexels was ahead of iStock in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, iStock’s share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide moved from 5.2% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 591K to 384K.
- 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
In September 2026, Pexels lost share of searches among stock photo libraries worldwide, from 28.3% to 25.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for iStock worldwide fell 35.1% over 12 measured months, from 591K to 384K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using iStock’s 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.
Other head-to-heads among stock photo libraries
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