7 Best Websites Offering Free Photos for Commercial Use

One common mistake aspiring creators make is not checking the licenses of the visuals they use on websites, in ads, or in creative campaigns. Sooner or later, this can lead to copyright claims, reputational damage, or even hefty fines.

Stock content simplifies the process—especially when it’s free. The right platforms provide high-quality images with clear licensing so you can build your brand and run campaigns without legal worries.

If you’re just getting started with stock photos, you’re in the right place. This guide highlights the best sites that offer images for commercial use, helping you discover professional-grade visuals for free.

How do we determine the best sites with free images for commercial use?

Stock content websites must meet specific criteria to be included on this list. Here’s what we looked at:

• High image quality: essential for commercial projects as it reflects the credibility of a brand or product.
• Variety of content: ensures users can find multiple options that fit their needs.
• Clear licensing terms: help avoid potential legal issues when using stock images.
• Smart search tools: make it easy to find the right visuals using keywords or image references.
• Curated collections: speed up discovery and inspire new creative ideas.
• Simple downloads: guarantee a smooth, hassle-free experience.

Top 7 places to find free stock photos for business and personal websites

1. DepositPhotos: The best high-quality royalty-free images

DepositPhotos is a leading stock content provider with over 320 million royalty-free files and its own creative ecosystem. A quick registration gives you access to free stock visuals, curated collections, and powerful AI-driven tools.

Whether you need photos, vectors, illustrations, videos, or music, DepositPhotos has it all in one place. Files are ready for commercial or personal use, digital or print—no attribution required.

Beyond its free photo libraries, DepositPhotos provides a user-friendly interface with advanced search features. You can search by image, exclude keywords, choose a point of view, set a season, or even filter by color—making it simple to find exactly what you need.

2. Burst: Wide content collections for business use

Burst is a stock image platform created by Shopify, the e-commerce company trusted by over a million businesses worldwide. With more than 20,000 free stock photos and 150 curated high-resolution photo collections, it’s a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to design professional marketing materials without overspending.

All images are licensed under either Creative Commons CC0 or Shopify’s own photo license. Attribution to the contributor, Shopify, or Burst isn’t required, though it’s encouraged to support creators and the platform.

3. Unsplash: Diverse library of free photos and illustrations

Unsplash is a go-to platform for commercial-use photos and illustrations, offering multiple image sizes and resolutions to suit any project. Its visuals are neatly organized into categories, from textures and patterns to architecture and interiors, making browsing effortless.

All images on Unsplash are free for download and can be used for both personal and commercial purposes. No permission or attribution to the photographer or Unsplash is required, though credit is always appreciated.

4. Pixabay: A vast collection of free images and videos

With nearly 6 million stock files, Pixabay is another great resource for free images. The platform offers curated collections, trending topics, and popular searches to help you discover fresh content quickly.

Users can sort visuals by type, orientation, size, color, and newest uploads. Every file is free for personal and commercial use, with no attribution required.

5. Vecteezy: Great source for free vector images

Vecteezy is a stock content platform that provides free creative assets, including photos, vectors, PNGs, and animated graphics. Whether designing a website, creating marketing materials, or working on a personal project, you’ll find plenty of creative resources to enhance your work.

Free downloads fall under the Vecteezy Free license, which requires attribution to the author. Users are limited to 10 free downloads per day with the option to upgrade for unlimited access.

6. Freepik: Wide catalogue of free stock files

Studies show that content with high-quality visuals attracts 94% more total views, making platforms like Freepik invaluable for businesses looking to stand out. The platform provides a broad range of creative assets, including stock photos, vectors, and illustrations.

After signing up, you can download 10 free files per day. All free resources can be used for personal and commercial projects, but each file must be attributed with a link to Freepik.

7. New Old Stock: Vintage public domain photos

New Old Stock offers copyright-free images that capture moments from the past. While some colorful photos are available, most are black and white, giving them an authentic, historical character. Sourced from public archives, these photos are perfect for various design and creative projects.

Since the New Old Stock only publishes images from the public domain, most can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes. However, it’s always best to verify which institution within Flickr Commons is responsible for the specific image you plan to use.

Bottom line

With the best sites for commercial-use images, you no longer need to worry about copyright issues. Each platform is safe and reliable, allowing you to use visuals in any project—professional or personal. So, focus on creating and not stressing over image rights.

Jonathan Dough