If you’re looking for high-quality stock photos but don’t want to pay the often hefty fees charged by sites like Shutterstock, you’re in luck. There are plenty of fantastic free stock photo sites out there that offer a wide variety of images across multiple categories. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 free alternatives to Shutterstock, complete with links and details on what each site has to offer.
Pexels
Pexels is one of the most popular and comprehensive free stock photo sites on the web. With over 3 million high-resolution images and videos contributed by a vibrant community of creators, Pexels is a go-to resource for bloggers, designers, and anyone in need of visually stunning content.
One of the standout features of Pexels is its user-friendly search functionality, which allows you to filter images by color, orientation, size, and more. The site also offers curated collections and categories, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Pros:
- Massive library of high-quality images and videos
- User-friendly search and filtering options
- Curated collections and categories
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Limited selection of vector graphics and illustrations
Unsplash
Unsplash is another hugely popular and well-respected free stock photo site, boasting a library of over 3 million images contributed by a global community of photographers. The site’s focus is on providing visually striking, high-resolution photos that are completely free for personal and commercial use, without any attribution required.
In addition to its vast image collection, Unsplash offers a range of features that make it a joy to use, including a powerful search engine, curated collections, and the ability to follow your favorite photographers and receive updates when they upload new content.
Pros:
- Massive collection of high-quality, visually stunning photos
- User-friendly search and filtering options
- Curated collections and ability to follow photographers
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Limited selection of vector graphics and illustrations
Pixabay
Pixabay is a comprehensive free stock photo site that offers a vast library of over 2.4 million images, vectors, and illustrations. Whether you’re looking for stunning photography, detailed vector graphics, or eye-catching illustrations, Pixabay has you covered.
One of the standout features of Pixabay is its powerful search engine, which allows you to filter results by category, color, orientation, and more. The site also offers curated collections and the ability to browse by editor’s picks, making it easy to find high-quality, on-trend content.
Pros:
- Vast library of images, vectors, and illustrations
- Powerful search and filtering options
- Curated collections and editor’s picks
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Some images may have lower resolution compared to other sites
Freepik
Freepik is a go-to resource for those in need of high-quality vector graphics, icons, and illustrations. While the site does offer a premium service, it also boasts an impressive collection of over 2 million free assets, including stock photos, vectors, PSDs, and more.
What sets Freepik apart is its focus on design-centric content, making it an excellent choice for graphic designers, web developers, and anyone working on creative projects. The site’s search functionality is top-notch, allowing you to filter results by category, file type, style, and more.
Pros:
- Vast library of design-centric content, including vectors and illustrations
- Powerful search and filtering options
- Variety of file formats available
- No attribution required for free assets
Cons:
- Limited selection of high-resolution stock photos compared to other sites
Pikwizard
Pikwizard is a relatively new player in the free stock photo market, but it’s quickly gaining popularity among designers, bloggers, and content creators. The site boasts a growing collection of over 1 million high-quality images, all of which are free to use for both personal and commercial projects.
One of the standout features of Pikwizard is its clean, minimalist interface, which makes it easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for. The site also offers a range of useful tools, including the ability to create custom image packs and collaborate with team members.
Pros:
- Growing library of high-quality, free stock photos
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Ability to create custom image packs and collaborate with teams
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Smaller image library compared to more established sites
- Limited selection of vector graphics and illustrations
Burst
Burst is a free stock photo site created by Shopify, the popular e-commerce platform. While the site’s focus is on providing visually stunning product and lifestyle imagery for online businesses, it also offers a wide range of high-quality photos suitable for various other purposes.
One of the standout features of Burst is its curated collections, which are expertly organized by theme and style, making it easy to find the perfect images for your project. The site also offers a range of helpful resources, including tips and tutorials on product photography and visual storytelling.
Pros:
- High-quality, visually stunning product and lifestyle imagery
- Curated collections and helpful resources
- No attribution required
- Integrated with Shopify platform
Cons:
- Limited selection outside of product and lifestyle categories
- No vector graphics or illustrations
Nappy
Nappy is a unique and visually striking free stock photo site that focuses on showcasing diverse and inclusive imagery. With a growing collection of over 2,000 high-quality photos, Nappy aims to challenge traditional stock photo stereotypes and provide a fresh, authentic perspective.
What sets Nappy apart is its commitment to representing a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and identities. The site’s images are contributed by a global community of photographers, ensuring a diverse and authentic representation of people and stories from around the world.
Pros:
- Diverse and inclusive imagery
- High-quality, visually stunning photos
- Unique and authentic perspectives
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Relatively small image library compared to other sites
- Limited selection outside of people and lifestyle categories
Negative Space
Negative Space is a curated collection of high-quality, free stock photos contributed by a community of talented photographers. While the site’s library is relatively small compared to some of the other options on this list, it more than makes up for it with its focus on quality over quantity.
One of the standout features of Negative Space is its clean, minimalist design, which puts the emphasis squarely on the stunning imagery. The site also offers useful filtering options, allowing you to search by color, orientation, and more.
Pros:
- High-quality, visually stunning photos
- Clean, minimalist design
- Useful filtering options
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Relatively small image library
- Limited selection outside of photography
FoodiesFeed
As the name suggests, FoodiesFeed is a free stock photo site dedicated to food and drink photography. With a growing collection of over 20,000 high-quality images contributed by a community of passionate photographers, FoodiesFeed is a must-visit resource for food bloggers, recipe developers, and anyone working in the culinary industry.
What sets FoodiesFeed apart is its unwavering focus on quality and attention to detail. Each image is carefully curated and reviewed, ensuring that only the best and most visually appealing food photography makes it onto the site.
Pros:
- Vast collection of high-quality food and drink photography
- Carefully curated and reviewed images
- Useful filtering options
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Limited to food and drink photography
- Relatively small library compared to general stock photo sites
Barn Images
Barn Images is a unique and visually stunning free stock photo site that focuses on providing high-quality imagery of rural landscapes, farms, and agricultural scenes. With over 3,000 photos contributed by a community of talented photographers, Barn Images is a go-to resource for anyone in need of authentic, rustic visuals.
One of the standout features of Barn Images is its commitment to showcasing the beauty and diversity of rural life. The site’s images capture the essence of farming, natural landscapes, and the hardworking people who make it all possible.
Pros:
- High-quality, visually stunning rural and agricultural imagery
- Unique and authentic perspectives
- Useful filtering options
- No attribution required
Cons:
- Limited to rural and agricultural themes
- Relatively small library compared to general stock photo sites
These ten free alternatives to Shutterstock offer a wealth of high-quality, visually stunning stock photos, vectors, and illustrations, covering a wide range of themes and styles. Whether you’re a blogger, designer, photographer, or simply someone in need of visually appealing content, these sites have got you covered. Happy browsing!
