Pond5 Review (2023): Video and Photo Marketplace
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Review Summary
| Website | pond5.com |
| Videos | 34.2 million |
| Music | 1.9 million |
| Sound Effects | 1.8 million |
| Photos | 67.5 million |
| AE Templates | 31,900 |
| Licensing | Royalty-free |
| Free Trial | No |
| Alternatives | Artgrid & Shutterstock |
In this review, we test out Pond5 by looking at stock media quality, pricing, and website features.
Pond5 is one of the world’s largest stock marketplaces with high-quality footage from professional artists around the world. They also offer music tracks, SFX, motion graphics, and images, providing creators of all types with the content they need to improve their projects.
What is Pond5?
Pond5 launched the first royalty-free marketplace way back in 2006 for creatives to sell their stock video footage. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest and most popular stock media platforms in the world. As such, major brands like Disney, BBC, ITV, and Netflix all use the platform.
Who is Pond5 for?
Pond5 is the go-to marketplace for filmmakers, content creators, and marketers to find what they need for any project. So, if you’re any type of creator, the platform offers a massive library of royalty-free content you can buy and use forever.
Also, with its full, yet simple license, you’ll be able to use the media you buy worldwide on:
- Video hosting websites like YouTube, Vimeo
- Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media
- Websites, blogs, and emails
- Online ads, commercials, and other marketing projects
How Does it Work?
Stock Footage Categories – Pond5 Review
You can sign up in just a few quick steps:
- Go to the pond5.com homepage
- On the top right of the page, click Join Now
- You can then fill out your email address, create a password, and click the JOIN button. You can also create a new account by continuing with Google or Facebook.
- Once you sign up, you will automatically be signed in to your new account, and they will send you a welcome email!
- That’s pretty much it!
When you go to Pond5’s website, you’ll find a well-designed and intuitive platform that serves all of your royalty-free media needs. Choose from the following sections.
| Footage | Photos |
| Music | Sound Effects |
| AE Templates | Illustrations |
It doesn’t stop there, though, as finding and downloading the media you need is just as easy. Here, it’s as simple as searching or browsing the platform’s giant catalog or range of collections and buying and downloading the media for your projects.
Pond5 Features
Now that you’ve seen what Pond5 is all about, let’s look at some of the features that make it simple to find the right media for your needs.
Search Bar
Search Bar – Pond5 Review
With the search bar, you can find the content you want using specific keywords. Here, it’s as easy as selecting the type of media you want using the tabs at the top of the search bar, typing in your keywords, and hitting the search button. And don’t worry if you’re at a loss for what to search for. Under the search box, you’ll find a few suggestions for popular keywords.
But Pond5 gives you another easy option to find stock footage, music, images, and other media for your projects. You can simply upload a file to search for files or media. Here, you’ll also be able to search based on composition or color. This is especially helpful if you’re looking for media with a specific tone.
Browse Media Menu
Main Menu – Pond5 Review
In addition to using the search bar, you can also find the content you need using the browse media menu. Here, when you click on the Browse Media button, you’ll find a dropdown menu that allows you to browse by the type of media you need.
For each type of media, you’ll be able to browse either by category, popular keywords, or collection, depending on the type of media. Another option would be to go to the landing page for the specific type of media.
Filtering
Stock Footage Filters – Pond5 Review
No matter what method you use to search, you’ll go to a results page with the stock media that matches your search. Once on this page, you’ll be able to filter your results to narrow down your search.
Firstly, you’ll find some extra suggestions for other keywords above your search results. You can use these to easily find exactly what you’re looking for. Secondly, there are several other filters you can use to zero in on the content you want.
For example, with stock video, you’ll be able to filter your results based on:
- Price
- Usage
- Resolution
- Duration
- Artist
- Frame rate
You can select any one of these filters you want to use by simply checking the box next to them. Keep in mind, though, for different media types these filters will vary. Once you’ve found the content you’re looking for you can hover your mouse to see more details like title, price, and duration in the case of stock video.
When doing this, you can also:
- Add it to your collection – This is an easy way to add content to a collection you can go back to later.
- Download a preview – This is especially helpful when you want to share the content with collaborators before buying it.
- Add the content to your cart – Once in your cart, you’ll be able to buy the content.
How Much Does Pond5 Cost?
To give you more flexibility than many other platforms, Pond5 offers several pricing options you can use when buying content. As such, when buying footage, images, or other media, you’ll be able to:
- Subscribe to a membership
- Pay per item
- Buy credit packs
Membership
Firstly, if you regularly use stock media in your projects, it might be your best bet to subscribe to a Pond5 membership. With a membership, you’ll be able to download 10 media files per month at a significant saving compared to the other pricing options.
Pond5 currently offers two memberships, the monthly and annual options. Pricing is $199/month for the monthly membership and $999/year for the annual membership. These plans offer the same benefits and features with the only difference being the price. Simply put, you’ll save a lot by paying for the year in advance, compared to paying monthly.
Keep in mind, though, these 10 downloads are limited to media from the Membership Collection. No need to worry, though, as this collection contains over 13 million stock videos, images, music tracks, and more.
Pay Per Item
As the name suggests, this option allows you to buy the media you want when you need it. Here, pricing depends on the type of media you buy and the specific media asset. In all cases, though, your purchase includes Pond5’s royalty-free license.
| Stock Media | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| Video | $25 |
| Music | $5 |
| Photos | $1 |
| After Effects | $5 |
| Sound Effects | $2 |
| 3D Models | $5 |
Credit Packs
Starting from as low as $250, credit packs allow you to pay upfront for the media you’ll need and, in the process, get up to 20% in bonus credits. Once bought, these pre-paid credits work just like cash when you want to buy any media.
| Credit Pack | Bonus |
|---|---|
| $250 | $25 |
| $500 | $65 |
| $1,000 | $160 |
| $2,500 | $500 |
Besides these credit packs offered on Pond5’s website, you can also contact its support team to find out more about the custom credit packs they can offer.
Pond5 Licensing
Pond5 licenses are royalty-free and can be used for personal or business projects worldwide, forever.
Here are the 3 main licenses that can be used with all media types:
| Individual | Business | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use | Sizzle reels, social media, and similar projects | TV broadcasts, regional advertising, and similar projects | Feature films, national advertising, and similar projects |
| Cover | Up to $15K | Up to $250K | Up to $1M |
| Price | Included (free) | Item Price +$149 | Item Price +$299 |
Pond5 Review: Worth it or Not?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔ Huge collection of stock video & images | ✘ Some videos are very expensive |
| ✔ Flexible pricing options | ✘ No free trial |
| ✔ Easy to use website | ✘ Video subscription doesn’t give access to the full library |
| ✔ High-quality footage (up to 5K+) | |
| ✔ One simple license |
In short, yes! For one, no matter what type of projects you create, you’ll likely find the media you’re looking for on Pond5. This is simply because of its growing library and exclusive content.
Also, it’s hard to argue with the quality of content you’ll be able to find on Pond5. This is clear in the large number of major, well-known companies using the platform. As a bonus, you’ll get to explore its library without a subscription. So, you can get an idea if it’ll suit your needs before shelling out any cash.
FAQ
Is Pond5 safe?
Yes, it’s completely safe. All communication, data, and payments are encrypted.
Is Pond5 legit?
Yes. Pond5 is trusted by many people, from students to major film studios. They provide a completely secure and easy-to-use marketplace.
Is Pond5 royalty-free?
Yes. All Pond5 licenses are royalty-free and can be used for personal or business projects with worldwide distribution, forever.
Does Pond5 require a subscription?
No, Pond5 does not require a subscription. You can also purchase items individually, or via credit packs.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. If you’re not 100% satisfied, simply request a refund within 24 hours of purchase.
Conclusion
Pond5 is unparalleled when it comes to high-quality video or audio. Its page is intuitively designed and the extra tools the platform offers are helpful. Anyone looking for videos, music, After Effects templates, and sound effects will definitely not have to search for long, even with a limited budget.
