Why Use Free Stock Photos?
High-quality images make content more engaging. These 15 sites offer free stock photos you can use commercially.
1. Unsplash
Unsplash offers over 3 million high-resolution photos. All photos are free for commercial use.
- Photos: 3+ million
- License: Unsplash License (free commercial use)
- Quality: Professional, artistic
2. Pexels
Pexels provides free stock photos and videos. Great search filters and collections.
- Photos: 3+ million
- License: Pexels License (free commercial use)
- Quality: Diverse, modern
3. Pixabay
Pixabay offers photos, illustrations, vectors, and videos. All free for commercial use.
- Photos: 3+ million
- License: Pixabay License (free commercial use)
- Quality: Mixed, good variety
4. StockSnap
StockSnap adds hundreds of new photos weekly. All free with no attribution required.
- Photos: Thousands added weekly
- License: CC0 (free commercial use)
- Quality: High-quality, trending
5. Burst
Burst is Shopify's free stock photo platform. Great for e-commerce and business photos.
- Photos: Thousands
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Business-focused
6. Kaboompics
Kaboompics offers beautiful lifestyle and interior photos. Great color palettes.
- Photos: Thousands
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Lifestyle, aesthetic
7. Gratisography
Gratisography offers quirky, creative photos. Unique and whimsical.
- Photos: Unique collection
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Creative, quirky
8. Life of Pix
Life of Pix provides high-resolution photos with no copyright restrictions.
- Photos: Thousands
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: High-resolution
9. Reshot
Reshot offers icons, illustrations, and photos. Great for design projects.
- Photos: Icons, illustrations, photos
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Icon-focused
10. Flickr (Creative Commons)
Flickr has millions of Creative Commons photos. Filter by license type.
- Photos: Millions
- License: Varies (CC0, CC-BY, etc.)
- Quality: Mixed, check licenses
11. Rawpixel
Rawpixel offers free public domain art and photos. Great for vintage and classic images.
- Photos: Public domain art
- License: Public domain
- Quality: Vintage, classic
12. Foodiesfeed
Foodiesfeed offers stunning food photography. Perfect for food blogs.
- Photos: Food-focused
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Professional food photos
13. SplitShire
SplitShire offers free photos and videos. Cinematic quality.
- Photos: Photos and videos
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Cinematic
14. Gratisography
Gratisography offers quirky, creative photos. Unique and whimsical.
- Photos: Unique collection
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Creative, quirky
15. Picjumbo
Picjumbo offers free photos for commercial use. Regular additions.
- Photos: Thousands
- License: Free commercial use
- Quality: Diverse
Comparison Table
| Site | Best For | Attribution | Commercial Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsplash | Artistic photos | Not required | Yes |
| Pexels | Diverse photos | Not required | Yes |
| Pixabay | Variety | Not required | Yes |
| StockSnap | Trending | Not required | Yes |
| Burst | E-commerce | Not required | Yes |
Which One Should You Choose?
For general use, Unsplash or Pexels. For e-commerce, Burst. For food, Foodiesfeed. For variety, Pixabay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to credit the photographer?
Most sites don't require attribution, but it's appreciated. Always check the specific license.
Can I use these for commercial projects?
Yes, all these sites offer photos for commercial use.
Can I modify the photos?
Yes, most licenses allow editing and modification.
Are there any restrictions?
Some licenses prohibit selling the photos as-is or using them in offensive content.
What about person/model releases?
Most stock sites don't guarantee model releases. Use caution with identifiable people in commercial work.