Six of the best websites for free images and video

Nothing makes content pop like an eye-catching image or video. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so what better way to communicate your message than by using one. Images and videos can be used as backgrounds, to enhance blog posts or webpages, to create marketing ads, or used on social media, and if you are thinking ‘yes that sounds great but I do not have the time, equipment or skills to do that’… then let us stop you right there! There is a wealth of content out there that is creative, professional and completely free – welcome to the world of royalty-free websites!

1. Pexels

Pexels offers a wide range of high-quality free stock videos and images that are free to use for both personal and professional projects. This is a go-to site for images for many content creators and the wide range of images on offer means that you can almost always find what you are looking for.

2. Pixabay

Pixabay is one of the best resources on the net for all visual content. They offer a massive array of images, videos and music that can be all be used for personal and commercial purposes without the need to get permission or give credit to the artist (although it is always good practice to give credit if you can do).

3. Unsplash

Stock photography site Unsplash allows users to copy, modify, distribute and use photos from the site for free, including for commercial purposes, without asking permission from or providing attribution. Owned by Getty images, this site has millions of creative and professional offerings making this a great resource for any project.

4. Videvo

Videvo offers thousands of free-to-use videos shot by their community of film-makers. The videos are released under three licenses, so as with any images and videos you use, make sure to check the rules carefully before downloading. These three license options are:

Videvo Standard License, which lets you use the clips without attribution.
Videvo Attribution License, which is the same as the Standard License, but requires you to credit the clip’s creator.
Creative Commons 3.0 Unported, which lets you share and adapt the clip, but requires you to credit the creator and detail any changes that have been made.

5. Vidsplay

Vidsplay is home to hundreds of videos with new content added weekly. The videos are free to use even for commercial purposes but you must add a visible credit link to Vidsplay.

6. Coverr.co

Coverr offers a range of beautiful stock videos. These videos make great webpage backgrounds if you are looking to enhance your homepage. All Videos published on Coverr.co can be used free for commercial and non-commercial purposes. You do not need to ask permission from or provide credit to the videographer or Coverr.co, although it is appreciated.

Like everything in life, stock-free videos are good in moderation. Remember that they are free for everyone to use and while this will get your creative ideas going, your competitors might be using them too! So, always pick carefully, and don’t just rely on them for your whole marketing (if you can!).