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The top 15 free stock image sites with stunning photos

Searching for free stock images for your brand or project? Take a look at this list of our 15 best free stock image sites to find ones that suit you.
Words by
25 June, 2024
3 mins read

Whether you’re a blogger, web designer, or social media marketer, high-quality images are essential and visuals play a crucial role in capturing audience attention. However, sourcing these images without straining your budget can be challenging. Fortunately, there are numerous free stock photo websites that offer an array of stunning visuals at no cost.

Here are the top 15 free stock images websites you need to explore and try next time you are crafting content for your project.

1. Unsplash

Why we like Unsplash? It’s a treasure trove of high quality images.

Unsplash has become a favorite among creatives for its vast collection of high-resolution images. With over 2 million photos submitted by a global community of photographers, Unsplash provides an extensive library to fit any need. The site’s clean, user-friendly interface makes it easy to find the perfect image for your project.

2. Pexels

Why we like Pexels? Comprehensive selection of high quality photos and user friendly.

Pexels offers a comprehensive library of high-quality photos and videos, all free to use. Their robust search functionality allows users to find images by category or color, ensuring you get exactly what you need. Pexels is perfect for those looking to add dynamic content to their digital platforms.

3. Pixabay

Why we like Pixabay? An extremely versatile collection of images.

Pixabay boasts over 1.7 million royalty-free stock photos, videos, and music files. Known for its vibrant and unique visuals, Pixabay is ideal for creative projects. The user-friendly search features make browsing quick and efficient, helping you find the right image effortlessly.

4. Burst by Shopify

Why we like Burst by Shopify? Perfect for entrepreneurs or e-commerce stores.

Burst, powered by Shopify, is tailored for entrepreneurs and business owners. It offers a wide range of high-resolution images suitable for online stores, blogs, and marketing campaigns. With curated collections, Burst simplifies the process of finding themed images that align with your brand.

5. Reshot

Reshot

Why we like Reshot? Unique and fresh visuals which don’t look like stock images.

Reshot provides a collection of handpicked, non-stocky images that stand out from typical stock photography. Perfect for startups and creatives, Reshot’s visuals are unique and fresh. The straightforward licensing terms make it easy to use these photos without legal concerns.

6. StockSnap.io

Why we like StockSnap.io? Constantly updated database of images.

StockSnap.io adds hundreds of new high-resolution photos weekly, ensuring a constant flow of fresh content. With its robust search functionality and trending searches feature, finding popular and high-quality images is a breeze, making it a go-to source for many designers.

7. Gratisography

Why we like Gratisography? Quirky and whimsical images.

Gratisography offers a quirky collection of high-resolution images by photographer Ryan McGuire. If you’re looking for something a bit different, this is the place to go. The whimsical and creative photos on Gratisography are perfect for adding a unique touch to your projects.

8. Picjumbo

Why we like Picjumbo? Updated daily with new images.

Picjumbo provides a vast array of free photos for personal and commercial use, with new images added daily. Covering everything from abstract backgrounds to industry-specific shots, Picjumbo is a versatile resource. Their premium membership offers even more exclusive content.

9. Life of Pix

Why we like Life of Pix? High quality and authentic images.

Life of Pix offers a high-quality collection of free images donated by an advertising agency in Montreal. With no copyright restrictions, these photos can be used for any project. Their partner site, Life of Vids, provides free videos and clips, expanding your creative options.

10. Kaboompics

Why we like Kaboompics? Lifestyle and interior targeted photography.

Kaboompics specializes in lifestyle, interior, and workspace photography. Perfect for blogs and social media, their images are both high-quality and aesthetically pleasing. The unique color palette feature allows you to match photos with your brand’s color scheme seamlessly.

11. Rawpixel

Why we like Rawpixel? Diverse and inclusive.

Rawpixel aims to redefine stock photos by offering diverse and inclusive images. Their extensive collection includes both free and premium visuals, ensuring you find exactly what you need. Rawpixel’s commitment to diversity sets it apart from other stock photo sites.

12. ISO Republic

Why we like ISO Republic? High quality daily additions.

ISO Republic provides high-quality images and videos for creatives, with new content added daily. Covering a broad range of categories, ISO Republic ensures a constant stream of fresh visuals for your projects, making it a reliable resource for designers.

13. Freestocks.org

Why we like Freestocks.org? Curated and high resolution images.

Freestocks.org offers a curated selection of high-resolution photos across various categories. The site’s straightforward design makes it easy to browse and download images quickly, providing a hassle-free experience for users.

14. Picography

Why we like Picography? Beautiful and high resolution images.

Picography features beautiful, high-resolution photos submitted by talented photographers. The simple, no-fuss website design makes it easy to find and download the perfect image for your project, ensuring a smooth user experience.

15. Styled Stock

Why we like Styled Stock? Feminine and stylish images.

Styled Stock provides free, feminine stock photography perfect for lifestyle bloggers, online shop owners, and social media influencers. Their stylish, high-quality images help elevate the visual appeal of your brand, making them a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their content.

To sum it up

With these top 15 free stock photo websites at your disposal, you’ll never struggle to find the perfect image for your projects. High-quality visuals are just a click away, allowing you to enhance your designs, engage your audience, and make a lasting impression.

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David Ryckman

David is a regular contributor and sub-editor for Who Design Today. He is a Managing Partner at Kwibb and has a keen eye for design and branding.

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