Rhyno Hu
19 août 2025
5min
Rhyno Hu
19 août 2025
5min
In 2025, Freepik is at the forefront of digital design, transforming how creators access and generate visual content. Having started life as a simple stock image search engine, the platform has evolved into a global hub offering millions of photos, vectors, templates and advanced, AI-powered tools. Its rapid growth, strategic acquisitions and integration of leading generative models have established it as a key resource for designers, marketers, educators and enterprises around the world.
In today's creative landscape, speed, scalability and innovation are paramount. Freepik meets these demands with features such as AI image generation, background removal, video tools, and enterprise-level indemnity coverage. These capabilities make Freepik a robust solution for individuals and large organisations alike, providing access to an extensive library while keeping pace with the surge in artificial intelligence adoption.
However, Freepik's rise also raises important questions. Licensing clarity, the balance between human-made and AI-generated content, and subscription structures are all areas of concern for many professionals. Alternatives have emerged, each offering distinct strengths, from authentic photography to simplified licensing and specialised creative tools.
To understand Freepik in 2025, it is necessary to examine not only its features and pricing, but also its limitations and competitors. This exploration empowers creative professionals to select platforms that best support their evolving design needs.
Freepik is a technology company and platform specialising in providing AI-powered tools for creating and editing audiovisual content. Operating under a freemium business model, it offers a large collection of stock content, including photos, vector graphics, videos, music, and more.
Originally launched in 2010 as a search engine for free design content, Freepik has evolved into a comprehensive platform that provides stock assets and innovative AI tools to assist graphic designers and creative professionals. These AI tools include image and video generators, background removers, image upscalers and mockup and icon generators, which help to streamline the design process and enhance creative workflows.
In recent years, Freepik has expanded into generative AI products, incorporating state-of-the-art models for image and video generation. Enterprise-level plans are also available for large organisations, offering legal indemnification for AI-generated content and additional security features.
Freepik was launched by brothers Alejandro and Pablo Blanes with Joaquin Cuenca in 2010. Their goal was to build a free design search engine that helped designers find stock assets quickly.
Key milestones in Freepik’s growth:
2010 – Launch as a stock image search engine.
2013 – Introduction of the freemium model (free + premium assets).
2015–2020 – Expansion into PSDs, templates, icons, and vector graphics.
2020–2024 – Acquisitions of Videvo (video assets), Iconfinder (icons), EyeEm (photography), and Magnific (AI tools).
2024 – New AI-powered services and partnerships with Google Imagen, Flux, and Mystic models.
Freepik now serves millions of designers worldwide, with offices in Malaga and San Francisco. It competes directly with creative market similar sites such as Envato and VeeSpark by offering both human-created and AI-generated content.
Freepik offers a mix of traditional stock assets and modern AI-driven tools. By 2025, it has positioned itself as both a stock marketplace and an AI creative suite.
Photos – Royalty-free stock images in multiple resolutions.
Vectors – Scalable graphics for branding, infographics, and illustrations.
Templates – PSDs and design templates for social media, presentations, and websites.
Icons – Packs covering business, education, and modern UI/UX needs.
Videos and Audio – Through Videvo and EyeEm acquisitions.
Freepik has expanded into AI tools that make content creation faster:
AI Image Generator – Creates artwork from text prompts.
AI Video Generator – Generates short clips with Google’s Veo model.
AI Voice & Audio Generator – Creates narration and sound effects.
AI Background Remover – One-click image isolation.
AI Upscaler – Improves image quality for print or web.
Sketch-to-Image – Turns hand-drawn sketches into finished images.
AI Mockups & Reimagine Tool – For marketing and product design.
These features compete with newer sites like Freepik that integrate AI natively. VeeSpark, for instance, focuses on AI-assisted stock discovery to cut design time.
Freepik’s AI tools are powered by multiple engines:
Mystic
Veo (for video)
This hybrid approach means Freepik doesn’t rely on just one AI model but blends several for more flexible results.
Here are the main Freepik plans and pricing details for 2025:
Additional Notes:
AI credits are consumed when using AI-powered tools such as image generator, upscaler, video generator.
Premium and Premium+ plans provide access to royalty-free stock content and AI tools with generous credits.
Essential plan focuses on AI tools without access to full premium content.
Free plan has daily download limits and requires attribution for content use.
Regional pricing may vary with VAT and currency differences.
Pricing has increased compared to previous years, with a focus on AI-first features and plans.
Essentially, Freepik’s pricing reflects a transition to an AI-focused platform with subscription tiers targeting different usage needs from casual AI use to professional unlimited design and team collaboration.g structure in 2025 is based on a mix of downloads per day, AI credits, and indemnity coverage.
Like any creative platform, Freepik has strong points but also clear drawbacks.
Huge asset library – Millions of photos, vectors, PSDs, icons, and templates.
AI-powered tools – Faster workflow with image, video, and voice generation.
Freemium access – Free plan for casual users plus affordable subscriptions.
Enterprise support – Legal indemnity and team access for big organizations.
Consistent updates – New models like Google Imagen 4 and Veo integrated in 2025.
AI-heavy content – Many users complain that real photos and human-created vectors are harder to find.
License limits – Some assets cannot be used on merchandise or resale items.
Ambiguity in usage rights – Users often raise concerns on Reddit about unclear licensing in niche cases.
Strict moderation – Accounts may face suspension if download rules are broken.
Interface changes – Frequent updates frustrate long-time users.
Many designers now combine Freepik with sites like VeeSpark’s free stock photos to ensure they always have authentic, diverse, and clearly licensed content.
Freepik is popular, but it isn’t always the right choice. Here are common reasons designers look for Freepik alternatives:
Licensing Clarity
Some Freepik licenses restrict use on products for sale. Designers who want clear, flexible rights often prefer websites like Freepik that offer straightforward licensing.
Cost Efficiency
For small businesses, Freepik’s daily download limits can be frustrating. Alternatives like VeeSpark’s AI video generation offer free sections plus affordable premium plans.
Content Authenticity
With AI dominating Freepik’s search results, many professionals want human-made photos and illustrations. Sites like VeeSpark provide a balance of AI-assisted discovery and authentic creative assets.
Format Diversity
Some users need assets Freepik doesn’t prioritize, such as niche icon sets, rare fonts, or editable templates. That’s where sites similar to Freepik come into play.
Commercial Security
Businesses value indemnity coverage. Freepik provides it, but some companies prefer platforms with even clearer terms and enterprise-grade support.
For these reasons, many creators explore sites like Freepik and compare them with Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and other providers.
Not every website like Freepik meets professional design needs. To identify the best alternatives, we evaluate platforms using these criteria:
Asset Variety – Does the platform offer stock photos, vectors, videos, templates, and icons?
Licensing Clarity – Are commercial rights clearly explained and easy to understand?
Pricing Models – Is the service affordable and flexible for freelancers, agencies, and enterprises?
AI Integration – Does the platform use AI responsibly to enhance user workflows?
Ease of Use – Is the website’s search, filtering, and download system simple?
Community & Support – Does the company provide strong support and consistent updates?
Based on these criteria, here are the top sites like Freepik in 2025.
VeeSpark is an All-in-one AI creative studio. VeeSpark transforms your ideas into polished narratives and dynamic visuals in minutes. With specialized tools like Idea Booster, Smart Script Expansion, AI Storyboard Generation, AI Video Generation, and Timeline Navigation & Editing, you can easily craft detailed storyboards, scripts, and branded videos in minutes.
Conçu pour les spécialistes du marketing, les éducateurs, les créateurs de contenu et tous ceux qui ont besoin d'un contenu visuel époustouflant, VeeSpark accélère la création de contenu. L'accent est mis sur la facilité d'utilisation de fonctionnalités avancées telles que l'inpainting, qui permet d'intégrer des visuels personnalisés, de maintenir la cohérence des personnages et de peaufiner chaque image. La plateforme génère différents styles d'art, y compris le cinéma, le noir et blanc et l'animation, ce qui vous permet de tester des concepts sans avoir recours à des tournages coûteux et de perfectionner votre narration grâce à nos outils d'IA.
Best for: Designers who want free and premium options with clear licenses. Whether you’re creating social media content, or making product ads videos, VeeSpark turns your text and ideas into compelling videos with intuitive tools that adapt to your creative needs.
Pricing: Free plan + affordable premium upgrades.
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock integrates directly into Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe Creative Cloud apps. It offers premium-quality stock photos, videos, and templates.
Best for: Professional designers using Adobe tools.
Pricing: Subscription or credit-based downloads.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock remains one of the largest stock marketplaces. It features millions of high-resolution images, videos, and music tracks.
Best for: Agencies needing large-scale, professional content.
Pricing: Subscriptions or on-demand packs.
Artlist
Artlist focuses on music and video content, making it a strong Freepik alternative for filmmakers, YouTubers, and marketing teams.
Best for: Video creators and content producers.
Pricing: Subscription with unlimited downloads.
Google Fonts
While not a traditional Freepik competitor, Google Fonts is a must-use resource for web designers. It provides free, open-source fonts with clear licensing.
Best for: Developers and UI/UX designers.
Pricing: Free.
Pixabay
Pixabay offers free photos, illustrations, and videos under a simplified license. It’s a great option for those who need sites like Freepik without cost barriers.
Best for: Bloggers, small businesses, and students.
Pricing: Free (with optional premium content).
123FreeVectors
This site focuses only on free vector resources. While smaller than Freepik, it provides a niche option for designers on a budget.
Best for: Free vector-only downloads.
Pricing: Free.
Freepik in 2025 remains a powerful creative platform, blending stock assets with AI-driven tools. It is useful for freelancers, agencies, and enterprises that want fast access to millions of files. But Freepik also has limitations: strict licenses, AI-heavy search results, and capped downloads.
That’s why many professionals explore Freepik alternatives. Options like VeeSpark’s All in One AI Creative Studio provide cost-effective, flexible, and user-friendly solutions. Other platforms such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Artlist also fill gaps Freepik cannot cover.
Is Freepik safe to use commercially?
Yes, Freepik is safe for commercial use if you follow its license terms. However, some assets cannot be used on products for resale. For clearer rights, many designers prefer sites like VeeSpark that simplify commercial licensing.
Does Freepik allow unlimited AI usage?
No. Freepik limits AI-generated downloads based on your plan. Higher tiers like Premium+ or Pro include more AI credits. Platforms such as websites like Freepik often offer more flexible access without strict AI caps.
How do I avoid AI-only search results on Freepik?
Freepik integrates AI content heavily. To filter, use advanced search tags or rely on sites similar to Freepik that separate human-made and AI-generated assets.
What happens when I cancel my Freepik subscription?
When you cancel, you keep files you downloaded during your active subscription, but you lose access to future downloads. For ongoing access to free resources, sites like Freepik remain a reliable option.