Best Free Stock Image Websites for Commercial Use in 2025

1. Why Use Free Stock Images for Commercial Projects?

Leveraging free stock photos offers major cost savings—no fees for download or licensing—without compromising on quality. According to Colorlib, many free sites use Creative Commons licenses, making them safe for commercial use. For startups and small agencies, this means budget can go into marketing or product development instead of image licenses. Plus, stock sites often serve images up to 4K resolution, ensuring crisp visuals even in print and web campaigns.

2. What to Look for in a Stock Image Site

When choosing a free stock platform, vet these features:

• License type: CC0 or custom royalty-free licenses that allow commercial use without attribution, like Unsplash and Pexels.

• Image quality: Look for high-resolution, editorial-style assets. Pixabay, for example, offers over 5.2 million images, though quality can vary.

• Search and UX: Advanced filters, vector/illustration support, and integrations with tools like Canva and Adobe boost usability. Unsplash integrates natively with Figma, Trello, and more zapier.com.

3. Legal Considerations When Using Free Stock Images

Understanding usage rights is critical. Most platforms like Unsplash allow free commercial usage, but without implied endorsements or trademark violations. Privacy rights matter too—photos containing recognizable faces may need model releases for commercial campaigns. Always ensure compliance to avoid legal risk.

4. Comparison Table of Top Free Stock Image Sites

This table equips you to choose based on licensing, usability, and image type.

5. Unsplash

With over 5 million high-resolution images and more than 13 billion monthly views, Unsplash is a dominant free stock source. Its license permits free commercial use, though selling unaltered copies is prohibited. The platform’s API is powerful and well-integrated—serving over 1 billion API calls monthly—making image search and retrieval seamless in Figma, Notion, and beyond.

Community voices echo its reliability, with one Reddit user warning:

“While the Unsplash License allows…commercial use, trademark infringement remains separate”—a prudent reminder to avoid using brand logos or celebrity likeness without clearance.

6. Pexels

Pexels is widely recognized for its dual support of photos and videos, both offered in high resolution under a license that closely resembles CC0. It allows commercial use without attribution, making it ideal for business presentations, ads, and social media visuals. Designers appreciate Pexels for its Adobe and Canva integrations, which streamline content creation workflows.

Many content creators mention Pexels’ modern, trend-aware photo sets. A freelance marketer shared on X (formerly Twitter):

“90% of my client decks are powered by Pexels. It’s clean, fast, and never gets me in trouble legally.”

With thematic collections like "Startup Life" and "Remote Work," Pexels curates visuals around digital culture, helping brands stay visually relevant in 2025.

7. Pixabay

Pixabay’s vast library includes over 5.2 million assets: photos, illustrations, vectors, music, and even AI-generated images. Its custom license allows commercial use without attribution, although editorial-only images (e.g., news subjects, trademarks) must be used carefully.

What makes Pixabay stand out is its advanced filtering and AI-powered search bar. For businesses, this means finding specific images—like “happy seniors using smartphones”—becomes significantly faster. One eCommerce startup noted in a product demo:

“Pixabay helped us create high-converting product banners with zero budget.”

The site also offers unique assets like transparent PNGs and public domain art, making it a creative powerhouse for marketers and bloggers.

8. Burst (by Shopify)

Burst, backed by Shopify, is built with entrepreneurs in mind. All images are royalty-free, tailored for online commerce, and come with marketing-ready themes like "Home Office," "Fitness," and "Fashion Models." Unlike traditional stock sites, Burst images often reflect realistic product scenarios, making them ideal for dropshipping, small brands, and influencer-style visuals.

A Shopify store owner in the home decor niche shared:

“We launched our website using nothing but Burst photos and Canva. It looked pro from day one—no budget stress.”

In 2025, Burst remains a go-to platform for those needing product-centric visuals with quick commercial approval.

9. User Reviews and Community Opinions

User-generated feedback continues to shape how these platforms evolve. In creative forums like Reddit and Indie Hackers, Unsplash and Pexels are often cited as the most dependable for clean licensing. However, Gratisography and Kaboompics gain love for uniqueness and aesthetics.

A poll in a private Facebook design group revealed:

• 60% prefer Pexels for startup marketing

• 25% trust Unsplash for blog content

• 10% rely on Kaboompics for lifestyle/editorial

• 5% choose Reshot for quirky designs

This range of preferences confirms that the best stock site often depends on niche, tone, and target audience.

10. FAQs About Free Stock Image Use in 2025

Q1: Can I use Unsplash images in a paid Facebook ad?
Yes, Unsplash allows commercial use, including in ads. Just avoid photos with recognizable brands or faces without a release.

Q2: Is attribution required on free stock sites?
Most top sites like Pexels, Unsplash, and Pixabay don’t require attribution, but it’s always encouraged.

Q3: Can I edit and modify these images?
Absolutely. You can crop, add text, apply filters, and use images in branded templates.

Q4: What’s the safest site for commercial blog use?
Unsplash and Pexels are widely trusted and safe for commercial blogging.

Q5: Are there risks with editorial-only content?
Yes. Editorial images (e.g., sports logos, celebrities) should not be used in ads or brand visuals.

Q6: How do I credit the photographer if I want to?
A simple credit like “Photo by [Name] on Unsplash” below the image or at the end of your post is sufficient.

11. Final Tips: Safely and Creatively Using Stock Images

To stay brand-safe:

• Always double-check license terms, even on trusted platforms.

• Edit images to match your brand color, typography, and tone.

• Use overlays or cropping to make common stock photos feel unique.

• For large content needs, batch download collections using Pexels or Pixabay’s curated boards.

Ultimately, these platforms give creators more than just free assets—they offer visual freedom, legal peace of mind, and access to pro-level media at no cost. Start with a platform that fits your style and workflow, then evolve your strategy as your content grows.

For a visual walkthrough on it, check out the following tutorial:

source: https://www.youtube.com/@BrettInTech