When it comes to enhancing the visual appeal of websites, high-quality images are essential.
Thankfully, numerous free image libraries provide a plethora of options suitable for varied projects. Below is a list of the 10 best free image libraries along with their pros, cons, and an approximate count of available images.
Some are better for certain projects, but all are worth a look at.
1. Unsplash
Images Available: Over 2 million
Pros:
- Vast collection of high-resolution photos.
- Free to use for commercial and personal projects.
- No attribution required, although appreciated.
Cons:
- Limited control over the variety of themes; some categories may lack depth.
2. Pexels
Images Available: Over 1 million
Pros:
- Extensive selection of both photos and videos.
- Simple search functionality with well-organised categories.
- Images can be modified.
Cons:
- More popular images may be overused across multiple websites.
3. Pixabay
Images Available: Over 5.1 million
Pros:
- Wide range of images, vectors, and videos.
- Free for commercial use without attribution.
- User-friendly search and tagging system.
Cons:
- Quality can vary as contributions come from various users.
4. Burst by Shopify
Images Available: 20,000+
Pros:
- Tailored for small businesses with specific commercial themes.
- High-quality images available for free use.
- No attribution required.
Cons:
- The selection may not be as extensive as other libraries for non-business-related images.
5. Flickr
Images Available: Hundreds of millions (depends on licensing)
Pros:
- Large database with a diverse selection of images.
- Ability to filter by Creative Commons license for free use.
Cons:
- Requires careful consideration of attribution and licensing.
- A lot of the content may not be professionally curated.
6. StockSnap.io
Images Available: Thousands (not specified)
Pros:
- High-quality stock images free from copyright restrictions.
- Regularly updated with new content.
- Simple search functionality for ease of access.
Cons:
- Limited selection of niche or specialised images.
7. Reshot
Images Available: Thousands (not specified)
Pros:
- Unique images not commonly found in other libraries.
- Free for commercial use with no strings attached.
- Curated to ensure quality and creativity.
Cons:
- Smaller selection compared to more established libraries.
8. Canva Photos
Images Available: Thousands (part of Canva’s library)
Pros:
- Easy integration with Canva’s design tools.
- Variety of images suitable for different design needs.
Cons:
- Some images require a premium account for access.
- Not primarily a stock photo library, so the selection may feel limited.
9. Freepik
Images Available: Over 10 million total assets (including vectors)
Pros:
- Huge collection of images and vector graphics.
- Creativity-inspiring illustrations alongside photography.
Cons:
- Most images require attribution unless you purchase a premium subscription.
- Slightly overwhelming navigation due to quantity.
10. Life of Pix
Images Available: Hundreds (not specified)
Pros:
- High-resolution images donated by photographers.
- Free to use with no copyright restrictions.
Cons:
- Limited number of images compared to larger libraries.
- Selection can be more artistic and less practical.
Conclusion
Some of these sites sell their images which can be quite expensive especially if you require a few. Luckily there are a few out there that supply them for free !
If you are considering using paid for stock images see if you can get a watermarked version to give to your web designer to see how they look on your website.
Size matters !
Liaise with your web designer to find out what size images they require. An image can be reduced in size but not made bigger without losing quality. It’s also a good idea to get a selection of landscape and portrait shaped images. Again consider whether the image can be cropped to suit your requirements.
As the image files can be quite large in size, we would suggest that you send them via a free service such as WeTransfer.com as some servers will reject large emails. When selecting images for your website, always verify the licensing agreements associated with each library.
These ten free image resources not only offer extensive visual options but also help in maintaining legal compliance, making them invaluable tools for web developers and designers alike. If you have a web designer building your website ask them what sizes would work best for you.
