<b>AI b-roll: Pexels plugin vs Storyblocks vs Runway</b>

<b>AI b-roll: Pexels plugin vs Storyblocks vs Runway</b>
Faceless and talking-head Shorts both eat b-roll. Three tiers, tested.

Pexels/CapCut stock (free):
— Pros: free, huge library, zero licensing worry
— Cons: everyone uses the same 20 clips, gets stale

Storyblocks ($30/mo):
— Pros: unlimited downloads, fresher footage
— Cons: still stock — recognizable to heavy viewers

Runway / AI-generated ($12/mo+):
— Pros: unique shots no one has, exact concept match
— Cons: 4-5 sec clips, occasional weirdness, render time

Verdict: start free with Pexels, jump to Runway when your niche b-roll doesn't exist as stock (think specific affiliate dashboards or abstract concepts). Skip Storyblocks unless you burn through stock daily — the middle tier is the weakest value.
Not for: pure talking-head creators — you barely need b-roll, don't pay for it.