5 Sites To Download Free Stock Photos In 2024

What if you could craft stunning presentations, eye-catching websites, and impactful social media content without overspending on stock photos? 

Free stock photo websites offer a treasure trove of powerful, high-resolution images. Whether you're a solopreneur, blogger, or marketing manager, free stock photos can help you create professional-looking content without draining your wallet.

This listicle is your guide for navigating the world of free stock photos in 2024. We'll delve into the top free stock photo websites, explore their unique offerings, and compare them side-by-side. Forget wondering if you can afford that perfect image – with this guide, you can find the perfect royalty-free picture to meet all your creative needs.

How did we select and evaluate the best free stock photo websites?

At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations - that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements on our list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.

Top 5 best free stock photo wesbites of 2024

The list below contains user reviews from the best stock photo websites category page. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free. To be included in this category, a solution must:

• Provide a high-volume repository of images for download
• Offer free, royalty-free, or license-required images

*This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity. 

1. Vecteezy

Vecteezy is more than just a free stock photo site; it's a creative playground offering a massive library of royalty-free images, vector graphics, and videos. Beyond the usual suspects, you’ll find unique vector illustrations, seamless patterns, and stunning video footage. Plus, Vecteezy integrates with design software for a seamless workflow, making it a one-stop shop for all your creative needs.

What users like best:

“As a beginner in laser cutting and engraving, I tried Vecteezy for some free files to test my new Atomstack A20 Max. I'm very impressed with the vast amount of different vectors available and the ease of downloading them. Having read that these Vecteezy files are compatible with LightBurn, I'm eager to test my new laser in just a few minutes!”

- Vecteezy Review, Paul G.

What users dislike:

“Limited free downloads: While a good range of free content exists, the most unique and high-quality assets are typically behind a paywall.”

- Vecteezy Review, Mar N.

2. Dreamstime

Dreamstime is a thriving marketplace where you can explore a wide collection of royalty-free images, illustrations, and vectors alongside budget-friendly subscription plans. You can find hidden gems from a global community of artists with a focus on unique cultural perspectives and fresh content. Dreamstime caters to free and paid users, offering flexibility for all.

What users like best:

“I've evolved my company through multiple LLCs, and Dreamstime has consistently provided the most well-rounded photos and visuals compared to any other company I've tried in over 10 years. Incredibly, they've saved all my downloads in my dashboard over the years, even the unused ones! This allows me to browse and discover hidden gems I might have overlooked easily. Dreamstime's new reusable monthly payment plan is simply unbeatable in terms of affordability, ease of use, and long-term value."

- Dreamstime Review, Gabrielle L.

What users dislike:

“I wish there were a way to search the categories/limit search results to a specific category. That functionality seems obvious since all images are already sorted into categories and subcategories in the database.”

- Dreamstime Review, Tara O.

3. Storyblocks

Storyblocks is a game-changer for photo content seekers.  It offers a huge library of royalty-free stock photos, videos, and audio files under one roof. The platform features a user-friendly search function along with tools for organizing and managing downloaded assets. All stock footage on Storyblocks is professionally produced and available in various resolutions to suit different project needs.

What users like best:

“Storyblocks is my go-to for images and video for my presentations. I'm a dentist and lecturer nationwide, always looking for high-quality images and videos. The Maker feature is especially easy to use and produces fantastic results. Downloads are easy, and customer support is very responsive. I'd highly recommend Storyblocks to anyone looking for content for presentations!”

- Storyblocks Review, Dr. Charlie W.

What users dislike:

“The only thing that I find challenging about Storyblocks is when browsing on the website, video images have a hard time popping up or are slow to load. It's the only time I've found searching for something quickly challenging.”

- Storyblocks Review, Ned S.

4. VistaCreate

Vistacreate is a graphic design powerhouse for any industry or occasion, catering to beginners! You can select from 150K+ professionally designed templates already preformatted and customizable for social media posts, presentations, marketing materials, and more. No design skills are necessary! Access millions of free photos, videos, and graphics, or upload your own. 

What users like best:

“One of the outstanding features of VistaCreate is the extensive library of templates. Whether I need designs for social media posts, business cards, flyers, or even logos, VistaCreate has you covered. The templates are not only plentiful but also visually stunning and customizable. You can modify colors, fonts, and images to match your brand or personal style with just a few clicks. It's like having a professional designer at your fingertips!”

- VistaCreate Review, Aman S.

What users dislike:

“The background removal tool can be inconsistent at times. Images with complex color palettes may not produce optimal results. Additionally, there have been occasional issues encountered during template export.”

- VistaCreate Review, Pradeep K.

5. Depositphotos

Depositphotos goes beyond just stock photos. It accommodates a vast collection of royalty-free images, vectors, illustrations, and even HD videos. Depositphotos stands out with its built-in AI image generator. Simply describe your desired image, and the AI tool will create it in seconds. This lets you find exactly what you need for your project, including unique, AI-generated content. 

What users like best:

“Depositphotos has a vast and user-friendly collection of royalty-free images, vectors, illustrations, and even HD videos, making it a valuable resource for graphic designers, video editors, and all kinds of creatives. The platform also provides users AI tools like a background remover and image generator.”

- Depositphotos Review, Baljyot S.

What users dislike:

“While fresh content is always appreciated, there have been instances where we've encountered repeated images within specific categories. More frequent updates introducing new options would be beneficial.”

- Depositphotos Review, Natali H.

Comparison of the best free stock photos 

If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free stock photos, this comparison table will help you with all the important aspects:

Frequently asked questions on free stock photos

Q. Can you use free stock photos for any kind of content? 

License restrictions vary between websites. Free stock photos are great for personal projects, but they may have restrictions for commercial use, like ads or packaging. There are also times when you may need to credit the photographer. Always check the license to be sure about free image sites! 

Q. Is the quality of free stock photos good enough? 

Many free stock photo sites provide you with stunning, high-resolution images. You'll find several professional-looking pictures perfect for websites, presentations, and social media.

Q. What are some of the best stock photo sites? 

Apart from the ones mentioned above, some others include Freepik, Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay.

Q. Are there any copyright issues with free stock images? 

Reputable free stock photo sites offer royalty-free images, meaning you can use them without worrying about copyright infringement.

Q. What are the limitations of free stock photo websites?  

Free stock photos are a budget-friendly dream, but there are catches. Some images might be overused, leading to a less unique look. Often, finding very specific content can take time and effort. Commercially, restrictions are common - you might need a paid license for ads or packaging. Licenses can be complex, too - some require crediting the photographer, while others may limit modifications.

Fuel your creativity  

Don't let limited budgets clip your creative wings. Free stock image sites provide a vast library of high-quality images to elevate your projects. While there might be restrictions on super-specific needs or commercial use, the sheer variety and budget-friendly nature make them a fantastic starting point. So dive in and explore your visual storytelling magic!

We hope this list of the best free stock photo sites takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!

Here’s a guide to the best free photo editing software to get you started with the next steps!

Edited by Monishka Agrawal