Pngtree vs Storyblocks
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Quick verdict: Pick Pngtree for free or short-term graphics access; pick Storyblocks if you need unlimited stock video, audio, and editor integrations.
Best for: Social media managers who publish frequently and need a steady supply of cut-out graphics and seasonal elements, E-commerce sellers and marketers producing banners, ads, and promotional materials that require commercially licensed assets
Read the full Pngtree reviewBest for: Video editors and creators who need footage, music, and templates often, Marketing teams producing social video and ads on a regular schedule
Read the full Storyblocks reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
Pngtree vs Storyblocks: features compared
Compare key features side by side
Feature Comparison Summary
Which should you choose?
Choose Pngtree if
- You prefer short 3-month terms or a lifetime license
- You want a 15-day refund guarantee
Choose Storyblocks if
- You need unlimited 8K stock video, music, and templates
- You edit in Premiere Pro or After Effects
- You need team licensing with broadcast and OTT rights
Pngtree vs Storyblocks: pros and cons
Pngtree
Pngtree bundles millions of pre-cut transparent PNGs with templates, backgrounds, and browser-based editing tools, and every paid plan adds commercial licensing. The free tier is genuinely usable but tightly capped, auto-renewal is on by default, and licenses cover one person only. Overall, it's a solid pick for solo designers who need transparent graphics regularly.
Pros
- Described as the largest online collection of transparent PNG images, which directly eliminates manual background-removal work
- The free plan is genuinely usable — 5 million assets and two downloads per day at no cost, enough to evaluate the catalog
- Lifetime plan (US$199 one-time) grants unlimited downloads, a commercial license, and 500 AI credits with no auto-renewal — an uncommon model among stock sites
Cons
- Free tier limits are tight — two downloads per day, 0.5MB/s download speed, a basic background remover, and only two photo editor uses daily
- The 3-month and 6-month plans cap downloads at 30 per day, while only the annual and lifetime plans offer unlimited downloads
- The 3-month, 6-month, and annual plans auto-renew by default, which can produce unwanted charges unless canceled
Storyblocks
Storyblocks bundles unlimited downloads of human-made stock video, audio, images, and templates with AI editing and voiceover tools under one license. The catch is annual-only billing with no advertised free trial, and the editor plugin fits only Premiere Pro and After Effects. Overall, it's a strong pick for frequent creators who already edit in Adobe apps.
Pros
- Unlimited downloads across the entire library — stock video in 8K/4K/HD, music, sound effects, photos, vectors, and templates — with no per-clip metering, so heavy users avoid escalating per-asset fees
- Every asset is 100% human-made with zero AI-generated content, a meaningful differentiator for brands and clients whose guidelines exclude AI media, and each download pays the originating artist directly
- The AI Toolkit is bundled under one license rather than sold separately, including clip editing via Runway's Aleph model and voiceover generation powered by ElevenLabs, with 3,000–6,000 monthly credits depending on plan tier
Cons
- All self-serve plans are annual commitments with no monthly billing option shown, and the pricing page doesn't advertise a free trial or money-back guarantee — trial and refund terms must be verified at checkout before committing to a year
- The Small Business plan ($40/month) explicitly excludes agencies, production companies, and broadcasters, forcing those users into the custom-quoted Business plan; broadcast and OTT distribution rights are also locked behind that tier
- The in-app plugin only supports Premiere Pro and After Effects, so editors using DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or other software lose the in-editor workflow and must use the web interface
Pngtree and Storyblocks in detail
Pngtree
Pngtree is a media library and marketplace where users search, preview, and download design assets, with transparent PNG images as its core specialty. The catalog is organized around ready-to-use graphics: cut-out objects and characters, scene backgrounds, templates, text effects, and illustrations. Files download directly from the site, and browser-based tools — a one-click background remover and a simple photo editor — handle light editing without separate software. Licensing depends on the plan: the free tier draws from 5 million assets, while paid plans cover the full premium catalog and include commercial-use rights.
Standout features
- Transparent PNG Library
- Backgrounds, Templates, and Text Effects
- Built-in Background Remover and Photo Editor
- Commercial Licensing and AI Tools
- Marketing Calendar
Use cases
- Social Media Content Production
- E-commerce and Marketing Creatives
- Seasonal Campaign Planning
- Short-Term Client Projects
Storyblocks
Storyblocks is a subscription stock media platform. It offers unlimited downloads of stock video, motion graphics templates, audio, and images, all created by human artists rather than AI. It targets people who produce content regularly: video editors, marketers, agencies, and social teams. Subscriptions also include an AI Toolkit, editable templates, and a plugin that brings the library into Premiere Pro and After Effects.
Standout features
- Download without limits
- Real footage from real artists
- Search the way you think
- Edit without leaving your timeline
- AI tools under one license
Use cases
- Social Media Managers Shipping on a Schedule
- Editors Staying Inside Premiere Pro or After Effects
- Agencies Handling Multiple Clients
- Brands That Require Human-Made Stock Only
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | Pngtree | Storyblocks |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | $14.92/mo Annual Plan | $21/mo Essentials |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Not stated | Not stated |
| Money-back guarantee | 15 days | Not stated |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Flat price |
| Cost for 1 user | $14.92/moCheaper Annual Plan plan, billed annually | $21/mo Essentials plan, billed annually |
| Cost for 5 users | $14.92/mo Annual Plan plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | — |
| Cost for 10 users | $14.92/mo Annual Plan plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | — |
| Cost for 25 users | $14.92/mo Annual Plan plan, billed annually · price per account (user limit not stated) | — |
| Plans | 5 | 4 |
| Prices checked | Vendor page checked Oct 13, 2026 | Vendor page checked Oct 13, 2026 |
| Price history | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed annually), Pngtree costs $14.92/mo vs Storyblocks at $21/mo.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Storyblocks offer a refund or trial?
No free trial or money-back guarantee is advertised. All self-serve plans are billed annually, so review checkout and cancellation terms carefully before you commit to a full year.
Which tool works better for video projects?
Storyblocks. It includes unlimited 8K and 4K footage, music, templates, and a Premiere Pro and After Effects plugin. Pngtree focuses on graphics like PNGs, not video or audio.