Pixelio
Berlin community library of free photos for editorial and commercial use, with a credit line and link back to Pixelio
Quick Overview
| Company | Pixelio Media GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Stock Photos |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | 2003 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages reviewed |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Free photos and illustrations, editorial and commercial licence, categories, member community, AI-generated category, credit line requirement |
| Pricing | Free with registration; attribution required |
| Best For | Bloggers, clubs and small sites in German-speaking markets that can credit the photographer and link to Pixelio |
| Replaces | Shutterstock free images, Pixabay |
Detailed Review
Pixelio is a photo platform where photographers upload images and registered members download them for free. The licence agreement is titled as a contract between author and user for editorial and commercial use and is valid from 1 November 2019. The site footer shows copyright from 2003.
The operator named in the terms and imprint is Pixelio Media GmbH, Friedrichstrasse 171, 10117 Berlin, with Dr. Ralf Baumgarten as managing director and entry in the commercial register under HRB 163388.
How the licence works
The authors waive payment for the usage rights they grant. In return the user must name the photographer and Pixelio in the form 'Photographer name / PIXELIO' at the image or on the same page, and online use also needs a link to pixelio.de. A link from the site, for example in the imprint, is enough according to the licence.
Registration and limits
Searching and viewing thumbnails works without an account, but downloading needs a free registration. Download managers and comparable software are not allowed.
Content with identifiable people carries restrictions, and the social media use of images is limited under the licence terms.
Catalogue
Categories include architecture, jobs and industries, food and drink, vehicles, finance, art and culture, landscape and nature, people, sport and technology, and a separate category for AI-generated images.
Limitations to Consider
Pixelio is built on member uploads, so the quality and the model releases vary by image. The credit and link requirement does not suit print ads or client work where attribution is not possible. There is no paid tier, indemnification or support plan on the pages reviewed.
Who Should Use Pixelio
Hobby sites, associations and small publishers that need free German-language-friendly images and can give credit.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free commercial and editorial use
- Operator and register entry named
- Large category tree
- No subscription
- Licence text in plain contract form
Cons
- Credit line and link mandatory
- Quality varies by uploader
- People photos restricted
- No paid support tier seen
Alternatives to Pixelio
Other European stock photos worth comparing before you decide:
Alamy
United Kingdom · UK stock library with creative and editorial images and shared subscription packs
Freepik
Spain · Spanish stock library with AI image and video generation in one subscription
Colourbox
Denmark · Danish library with one price per photo, vector or video download
mauritius images
Germany · Owner-led German agency, about 70 million RF and RM images
See all European stock photos or compare them directly against Shutterstock free images on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the licence covers editorial and commercial use, but the user must credit the photographer and Pixelio and, online, link to Pixelio.
Yes. Searching and viewing thumbnails works without an account, while downloading needs a free registration.
The terms name Pixelio Media GmbH in Berlin as the provider of the platform.