10 Best Free Stock Photo Sites You Can Trust in 2025

If you’ve ever typed “aesthetic free stock photo” into Google and scrolled for 45 minutes... we’ve been there.

Whether you’re:

• A designer trying to avoid the same cringey handshake photo,
• A social media manager scrambling to fill tomorrow’s content calendar,
• Or a college student pulling an all-nighter to make your deck look half-decent…

There are plenty of sites that claim to offer “free stock photos.” But not all of them are easy to use. Some ask for credit. Some have images that look like they were shot in 2008. Others bury the “download” button under ads.

That’s why we made this guide.

We’ve rounded up the best free stock photo sites we use. Here, you’ll find what each site is good for, what to watch out for, and tips for getting the most out of it.

Let's get started. 

Top Free Stock Photo Sites at a Glance

Let’s look at them in detail.

10 Best Free Stock Photo Sites in 2025

Here are some of the best free stock photo sites that you can use:

1. Pexels

Pexels is one of the most popular free stock photo platforms, known for its clean interface and massive library of high-quality images and videos. 

Everything on Pexels is free to use, even for commercial projects, making it a go-to for designers, content creators, and social media managers looking for modern, non-cheesy visuals.

Here’s what a Pexel user had to say:

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Key feature

• Over 3.2 million free photos and videos
• Curated collections by topic, color, or trend
• Built-in search filters (orientation, size, color)
• No attribution required, even for commercial use
• Regularly updated content from global contributors

Pros

Pexels consistently delivers fresh, professional-looking visuals that don’t feel like typical stock photos. The curated collections are especially helpful for quickly finding content that fits a specific theme or aesthetic.

Cons

The search results can sometimes feel repetitive across keywords, especially for niche topics. You may need to get creative with search terms to find exactly what you want.

2. Unsplash

Unsplash is a go-to platform for free, high-resolution images geared toward creative and marketing projects. It’s widely used by designers, social media managers, and students thanks to its sleek interface, vast image library, and commercial-friendly license.

Key features

• Over 5 million high-res photos
• Creative Commons Zero-like license (commercial use allowed, no attribution required)
• User-friendly search and curated collections
• Strong community of photographers and designers behind every image 

Pros

• Sleek, modern visuals, perfect for blogs, presentations, and brand content
• No download barriers or hidden fees
• Many enjoy the simplicity and aesthetic focus

Cons

• Quality can feel generic or repetitive, especially after Getty acquisition
• No model/property release—some users raise liability concerns 
• Niche search results can be inconsistent; Pexels or Freepik often suggested as alternatives

3. Pixabay

Pixabay is a versatile media library with over 5 million photos, vectors, illustrations, videos, and even music—all free to use under its custom Pixabay License. It’s designed for anyone needing more than just photos and offers a single platform for mixed-media content.

A G2 user said this about using Pixabay,

“It has a great filter which I can refine my searches not only by keywords but also by size, orientation, color, among others. And no matter whether I'm looking for images, sound effects or videos for my university presentations, there's always something perfectly suited for the purpose. The visual quality of the files offered by Pixabay is amazing and there's a selection of copyright–free resources to use with peace of mind.”

Key features

• Massive asset library: images, vectors, videos, music, sound effects 
• Content licensed free for commercial use without attribution 
• Advanced search filters (orientation, size, AI-generated images, color) 
• “Editor's Choice” curated collections for inspiration 

Pros

• Ideal when you need more than just pictures—vectors, videos, music included.
• Simple and consistent licensing model.
• G2 reviewers highlight it as a top free tool: “PixaBay is one of the best options to get free stock images… allows downloading stock images in various sizes.”

Cons

• Mixed quality: some images feel overused, outdated, or risky (copyright concerns)
• As mentioned on Reddit, “Pixabay is filled with low‑quality and questionable content.” 
• The same thread also mentioned uploads aren’t reviewed extensively, which led users to say: “It seems Pixabay provides no protection like Shutterstock… you’re the one liable…” 
• No direct integration with tools like Photoshop—download and import manually

4. Canva

Canva is a versatile design platform that brings stock photos, graphics, and templates into a single editor. For designers, social media managers, and students, it offers a seamless way to create polished visuals without switching tools.

Key feature

• Built-in library of free and premium photos integrated into the editor.
• Drag-and-drop templates tailored for social posts, presentations, posters.
• Includes editing tools (background remover, color wheel, brand kit).

Pros

• Fast content creation: Saves time when rolling out daily social media posts—”graphic design for the other 99%”.
• Better than starting from scratch: Ideal for non-designers who want a professional look quickly.
• Powerful stock access: Canva Pro users praise the licensed images and videos—“no need to scroll through looking for a free image”.
• Brand consistency: Tools like the color wheel and brand kits help maintain a unified look.

Cons

• Interface learning curve: New users or creatives may find navigation confusing—“navigation is ATROCIOUS … waste of time” - a Canva user.
• Limited for professional work: Not ideal for logo design or advanced layout precision; hard-core designers still rely on Illustrator/Photoshop.
• Manual processing: Tasks like batch background removal can be time-consuming.

5. Burst by Shopify

Burst is Shopify’s in-house free stock photo platform, built to help entrepreneurs, designers, and marketers access beautiful, royalty-free images. 

Whether you’re a college student creating a presentation or a social media manager crafting ad visuals, Burst delivers diverse, business-focused imagery quickly and easily.

Key features

• Curated high-res images across business, lifestyle, product, and niche categories.
• Commercial-use license with no attribution required (though appreciated).
• Simple search, collections interface, search by topic or browse curated sets for quick inspiration.
• Direct Shopify integration (great if you're building an online store).

Pros

• Polished, professional quality: TechRadar calls it "a good range of high‑quality photographs" that are easy to access. Avada says quality rivals paid stock sites.
• Perfect for business needs: Ideal for product pages, presentations, and social ads—great pick for students, creators, and designers. G2 reviewers highlight its value: “we have access to unlimited professional photos … covers a wide variety of products” 
• Zero cost, zero hassle: All images are free to use, no attribution needed, no login required 

Cons

• Library isn’t huge: G2 feedback shows some niche topics have limited options.
• Lacks editing features: You’ll need to use external tools to crop, resize, or edit images.
• Not ideal for uniqueness: Freely available photos may show up elsewhere; ideal if you need something distinctive

6. Freepik

Freepik is a widely used design resource platform offering a massive library of free and premium vectors, photos, illustrations, PSD files, and templates, plus integrated AI-powered tools. 

It's a go-to for designers, social media managers, and students who need varied and editable assets in one place. 

Key features

Huge library including 250 M+ assets (vectors, photos, icons, mockups)

Integrated AI tools: image generation, upscaling, retouch, and background removal 

Pros

• Time-saver: Designers on Reddit say it’s perfectly fine to use in professional workflows, especially under tight deadlines. One user noticed, “It’s a great resource… It can also save you time finding something you need” 
• Versatile & high-quality: G2 reviews call it “best-in-class” for creative work, praising the vast library and evolving AI suite. 
• AI-powered workflow: One user noted tools like Mystic 2.5 and Flux realism are producing “top notch” AI-generated images.

Cons

• Overreliance risk: Designers recommend balancing real creativity with asset use; some worry over originality in portfolios.
• Free limitations: Free users get limited daily downloads, and premium is required to avoid attribution and unlock AI tools.

7. Flickr (Creative Commons)

Flickr hosts one of the largest collections of Creative Commons-licensed images online, over 10 billion uploads and a massive active community. It’s ideal for users looking for unique or vintage-style visuals and other media (some music/video as well).

Key features

• Browse photos released under different CC licenses (e.g., CC0, CC-BY).
• Advanced filters by license type, orientation, and upload date.
• Access public domain archives via Flickr Commons.
• Gigantic community-generated repository with niche and vintage imaging.

Pros

• Enormous variety: perfect for finding unusual, historic, or highly specific visuals.
• Fine-grained license control: choose images by usage level—commercial, attribution, derivatives, etc.
• Public domain treasure trove: access photos from libraries and cultural archives via Flickr Commons

Cons

• Legal risk from uploader errors: users may upload copyrighted photos under CC wrongly 
• License changes aren’t tracked: someone could retract CC later, even after you used the image.
• Complex legal terms: CC licenses aren’t easy—wrong usage can lead to violation.
• Inconsistent quality and metadata: tagging and resolution vary widely across uploads.

8. Reshot

Reshot is a handpicked stock photo platform focused on providing authentic, non-cheesy visuals that feel fresh and original. It’s designed for creatives, like indie designers and startup founders, who want images that don’t scream “stock photo” but still look polished.

Key feature

• Curated, non-stocky collection: All visuals feel genuine and are free for both commercial and editorial use

Pros

• Authentic vibe: ideal for startups, freelancers, or anyone who wants visuals that don’t look mass-produced.
• No attribution needed: use images freely without worrying about credits or licensing.

Cons

• Smaller library: fewer options compared to bigger platforms.
• Limited niche content: you might struggle to find highly specific or uncommon imagery.

9. Kaboompics

Kaboompics offers a refined selection of high-quality lifestyle and interior photos curated by a single photographer. It's perfect for designers, bloggers, and creatives needing aesthetically consistent content.

Key feature

• Styled, lifestyle-specific photography: Includes color palette info per image for easy visual consistency.

Pros

• Stylish, magazine-grade images that feel intentional and trendy.
• High-res downloads with color data make brand-aligned design seamless.
• Consistent aesthetic shines in targeted categories like interior design or food styling.

Cons

• Smaller scoped library: focused mainly on interiors and lifestyle visuals.
• No editing suite, downloads must be manually edited elsewhere.
• Occasional web traffic issues (like bot-driven surges) may affect availability.

10. Gratisography

Gratisography offers a collection of quirky, high-resolution images that are completely free for personal and commercial use. Curated by photographer Ryan McGuire, these visuals stand out because they don’t feel “stocky”, they have character, whimsy, and artistic flair.

Key feature

• Unconventional and whimsical imagery: Think dogs in tuxedos or creative lifestyle shots that instantly grab attention.

Pros

• Truly unique visuals: Stand out from typical stock vibes, perfect for edgy social posts, personal projects, or creative briefs.
• Safe and free: All images clear for personal and commercial use without attribution hassles.

Cons

• Limited library: Much smaller than typical stock sites, selection is intentionally compact.
• Poor searchability: Lack of robust tagging means browsing the site can be slow and hit-or-miss.

What makes a good free stock photo site?

Before you pick a site and start downloading, ask yourself: “Will this image actually work for what I need?”

Here’s how to evaluate any stock photo site quickly:

1. Are the images good quality?

You want images that look clean, clear, and professional.

• Blurry photos? Pass.
• Small file sizes? Not great for social or print.
• If you zoom in and it looks sharp: you’re good.

Tip: Look for large, high-res photos. Most platforms will mention “high resolution” on the download page.

2. Can you actually use the photos for your project?

Some free photo sites only allow personal use. Others ask you to credit the photographer.

Best case:

• You can use it for anything: social posts, ads, websites.
• You don’t need to give credit (but it's nice if you do).

3. Does the site have what you’re looking for?

Try this: search for 2–3 topics you post about often — like “coffee,” “laptop,” or “teamwork.”

Good sites show a variety of useful, modern photos. If you keep seeing the same boring or outdated images, it’s time to move on.

4. Is it easy to find the right photo fast?

You shouldn’t have to scroll for 30 minutes.

Look for:

• Filters (color, photo size, orientation)
• Categories (like “office,” “fashion,” or “food”)
• Search that works well with simple keywords

5. Can you use it with your existing tools?

Some sites are built into the tools you already use.

For example:

• Canva: Photos are ready to drag into your design.
• Burst: Works great if you run a Shopify store.
• Freepik: Vectors and templates open in Adobe tools.

Pick something that saves you clicks.

Licensing considerations to keep in mind

Before you download and use any “free” photo, make sure you're not accidentally breaking the rules. Here's what to check:

1. Check if the photo is allowed for commercial use

• Commercial use: using the photo for a business, client, ad, product, etc.
• Some free sites only allow personal use (like blogs or school projects).
• If you’re unsure, skip it or find one that clearly says “free for commercial use.”

Quick fix: Stick to well known sites they’re safe for commercial use. Take user feedback and review into consideration.

2. See if you need to give credit (attribution)

• Some sites ask you to credit the photographer.
• Others don’t, it’s optional.

What to do?

• If attribution is required, just include a line like: Photo by Jane Doe via Freepik
• If it's not required, great! But giving credit is still a nice gesture.

3. Look for licensing details on the image or site

• Most stock photo sites have a “License” page, read it once, it’s usually short.
• Avoid images with unclear or missing license info.

Pro Tip: If you're ever unsure, reverse search the image on Google Images to check if it’s used elsewhere or sold on a paid site. If it’s on Shutterstock, Getty, or iStock, don’t use it.

Tips for using free stock photos well

Just grabbing a free photo isn’t enough, here’s how to actually use it well.

1. Avoid overused images

• Skip the cheesy handshake or “person on laptop” pics, they’re everywhere.
• If it looks generic, your audience will scroll right past it.

What to do?

• Look for more natural, candid shots.
• Try less common search terms or browse niche sites like Reshot or Kaboompics.

2. Edit the photo to make it your own

• Crop it. Add text. Change the brightness. Overlay your brand colors.
• Even small edits can make the image feel more original and on-brand.

Tools to use:

• Canva (easy drag-and-drop editing)
• Photopea (a free Photoshop alternative)
• Figma (for designers doing layouts)

3. Keep it visually consistent

• Don’t mix 5 different photo styles on the same page or feed. It looks messy.
• Stick to a consistent vibe: color, lighting, and subject matter.

Quick tip: Use sites like Kaboompics that show color palettes with each photo to stay on-brand.

4. Organize your go-to images

• Don’t search from scratch every time.
• Save your favorite photos in folders or design libraries.

Pro move:

• If you use Canva, create folders by theme (e.g., “lifestyle,” “tech,” “team”)
• If you use Figma or Notion, embed images for future reference

5. Always double-check licenses before using

Especially if you're using the image in:

• Paid ads
• Client work
• Products (like T-shirts, packaging, or websites)

Better safe than sorry, double-check the license on the download page.

Start building with better visuals for free

You don’t need a Shutterstock subscription to make great content. You just need the right free tools and now, you have them.

Here’s what you can do next:

1. Pick 2 sites from this list and bookmark them.

✅ Start with Pexels (for general use) and Freepik (for templates and graphics).

2. Create a mini asset folder.

✅ Save your favorite images by category like “people,” “tech,” or “aesthetic backgrounds.” This makes content creation 10x faster next time.

3. Edit before you use.

✅ Use Canva or Photopea to crop, color-correct, or overlay text. Even a small edit makes a big difference.

4. Match your visuals to your brand tone.

✅ If your content is playful, go with Gratisography or Reshot.

✅ For clean and professional? Use Unsplash, Burst, or Kaboompics.

5. Always check the license before using it in ads, client work, or products.

✅ Even free photos can come with restrictions, know what you’re allowed to do.

With the right sites, a little editing, and a smart folder system, you’ll never run out of great visuals again.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are free stock photos safe for commercial use?

Yes, but only if the site says so clearly. Look for phrases like “free for commercial use” or “no attribution required.” Sites like Pexels, Unsplash, and Burst are safe bets.

2. Do I need to give credit to the photographer?

Sometimes. It varies for different sites where you get these pictures from:-

• Pexels/Unsplash/Burst: No credit needed.
• Freepik/Flickr: Credit often required.

When in doubt, check the license on the image download page.

3. Can I edit stock photos before using them?

Absolutely, and you should.

• Crop, adjust colors, add text, or layer it with graphics.
• Editing makes the photo feel unique and match your brand.

Use tools like Canva, Photopea, or even your phone’s photo editor.

4. What’s the difference between royalty-free and free?

• Royalty-free = You don’t pay each time you use the photo.
• Free = You don’t pay at all.

Some royalty-free sites still charge a one-time fee. So always check before downloading.

5. Can stock photos hurt SEO or branding?

Not if you choose wisely.

• Avoid overused or cheesy images, they make your brand look generic.
• Add alt text, compress images, and stay on-brand to protect SEO.

Pro tip: Stick with high-res, clean visuals that align with your voice and audience.