Pexels API alternatives

Free Stock Photos and Videos. If it doesn't fit your project, here are the 10 best free Photography APIs to use instead in 2026, out of 36 in the directory.

For reference, Pexels API: Fast: 76 ms response · Callable from the browser (CORS) · HTTPS.

1. 1

   ObjectCut API

   Online · 356 ms

   Automatic background removal real-time service powered by AI.

   • Fast: 356 ms response
   • Callable from the browser (CORS)
   • HTTPS

   apiKeyHTTPSCORS
2. 2

   APITemplate.io API

   Online · 706 ms

   Dynamically generate images and PDFs from templates with a simple API.

   • Callable from the browser (CORS)
   • HTTPS

   apiKeyHTTPSCORS
3. 3

   localscreenshot API

   Online · 590 ms

   Screenshot or PDF rendering of any public page, from 227 countries.

   • Callable from the browser (CORS)
   • HTTPS

   apiKeyHTTPSCORS
4. 4

   Pexafy API

   Online · 903 ms

   Semantic image search across 9+ free stock photo sources with a unified JSON schema.

   • Callable from the browser (CORS)
   • HTTPS

   apiKeyHTTPSCORS
5. 5

   DynaPictures API

   Online · 780 ms

   Generate Hundreds of Personalized Images in Minutes.

   • Callable from the browser (CORS)
   • HTTPS

   apiKeyHTTPSCORS
6. 6

   Lorem Picsum API

   Online · 536 ms

   Images from Unsplash. A free photography API by Lorem Picsum.

   • No API key needed
   • HTTPS

   No authHTTPSCORS ?
7. 7

   PlaceKeanu API

   Online · 961 ms

   Resizable Keanu Reeves placeholder images with grayscale and young Keanu options.

   • No API key needed
   • HTTPS

   No authHTTPSCORS ?
8. 8

   Readme typing SVG API

   Online · 704 ms

   Customizable typing and deleting text SVG.

   • No API key needed
   • HTTPS

   No authHTTPSCORS ?
9. 9

   Screenshotlayer API

   Online · 993 ms

   Free URL to Screenshot API - capture crisp and clean snapshots of any website, with any device, any setting and lightning fast.

   • No API key needed
   • HTTPS

   No authHTTPSCORS ?
10. 10

    Kavel API

    Online · 1041 ms

    Generate and edit images with AI, no key or account required.

    • No API key needed
    • HTTPS

    No authHTTPSNo CORS

Pexels API vs alternatives

Pexels API compared with its alternatives

API	API key	HTTPS	CORS	Uptime	Response	Rating
Pexels	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	76 ms	Not rated
ObjectCut	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	356 ms	Not rated
APITemplate.io	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	706 ms	Not rated
localscreenshot	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	590 ms	Not rated
Pexafy	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	903 ms	Not rated
DynaPictures	Required	Yes	Yes	Up	780 ms	Not rated
Lorem Picsum	No	Yes	Unknown	Up	536 ms	Not rated
PlaceKeanu	No	Yes	Unknown	Up	961 ms	Not rated
Readme typing SVG	No	Yes	Unknown	Up	704 ms	Not rated

See also: best Photography APIs · all Photography APIs