The Pexels API is genuinely excellent — fast, well-documented, and free to use. But getting a key requires registration, and using it directly requires coding knowledge. For content creators who just want to search and download, that is two unnecessary barriers.
Here is how to access Pexels content without dealing with the API yourself.
Why People Look for API Alternatives
- They want to search Pexels and Pixabay together in one place
- They do not want to register for yet another account
- They are not developers and do not want to write code
- They want bulk download features the Pexels website does not offer
Option 1: Use MediaFlow (No Account Needed)
MediaFlow uses the Pexels API on the backend, so you never need your own API key. Just type your search and get results from Pexels (and Pixabay simultaneously) instantly. Features include:
- Search Pexels photos and videos without registration
- Filter by orientation, media type, and quality
- Preview videos on hover before downloading
- Bulk video download with duration targeting
- 30 free searches per day — no sign-up
Option 2: Use the Pexels Website Directly
The Pexels.com website lets you browse and download without an API key or a developer account. The limitations compared to using the API (or a tool like MediaFlow) are:
- No simultaneous cross-platform search
- No bulk download tooling
- Requires navigating the Pexels UI rather than a unified interface
Option 3: Get Your Own Pexels API Key
If you are a developer building an app, the Pexels API is free up to 200 requests per hour and 20,000 per month. Register at pexels.com/api. For most content creators, this is overkill — but it is a legitimate option if you need programmatic access.
What the Pexels API Actually Lets You Do
For the curious — the Pexels API supports search by keyword, curated collections, video search, and individual asset retrieval. All results are royalty-free and commercially usable. MediaFlow exposes all of this functionality (plus Pixabay in parallel) through a simple search interface, so you get the power of the API without the setup.
Related: Pexels vs Pixabay compared · Top free stock footage websites · Free stock footage with no attribution