Free Stock Images 2022 - 50 Sources You Can Use Instantly

Our index contains 50+ untapped sources of free stock images with no watermarks, to download for free for commercial use

​Updated 24 January 2024
Our Sydney web design agency is widely known as one of Australia's most popular. We understand the need for amazing high quality photos to create the right visual impact.  Free stock images with no watermark with unrestricted commercial use are in demand more than ever. 

Photo choices are critical to engaging the imagination of readers and getting them to stay on your page. Finding free stock images to download can take time, and the results vary. We've put together the ultimate resource to find free stock images with no registration or other restrictive rules applying - free stock images with no registration requirement and free images for commercial use are just the beginning...
"Content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without relevant images."
​We see a lot of inappropriate and lazy stock images of generic "happy people" standing outside, business people standing in suits shaking with no emotion factor to your audience. What's worse, many of these images cost considerable money to purchase and display. Your website images need to convert just like you hope your content does - getting the RIGHT IMAGES is more essential than ever - ensuring you have a selection of free stock images to download is now even easier.
​
"Researchers found that coloured visuals increase people's willingness to read a piece of content by 80%."
We've put together a list of 50 fantastic websites with beautiful stock photography and images that are 100% FREE to download and use.  Free from copyright restrictions, or licensed under creative commons public domain CC0, this means you can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
Quick Note About Licenses
Some photos may in some cases require attribution. We’ve exhausted ourselves in identifying where this may be the case, and we advise you to read the image details before using. ​With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s dive into our top picks for free stock photos!

Our List:

Unsplash (our favourite)

Why we like it:
  • Unsplash contains a treasure chest of stock images to cherish, in numerous categories all available with one click. 
  • Upslash has an inventory of hundreds of high quality images.
  • Images can be downloaded or transformed for free. 
The bad:
  • Ok, so the first impression of the site is not appealing, but don't let that put you off!
  • There are no tags present with the images, making locating what you need a bit harder. 

Life of Pix

Why we like it:
  • The beautiful collection of 837 high resolution images are definitely going to enthral you - the expectations of free stock images may be low, but this collection will change your mind for good. 
  • The selection comes from a leading advertising company from Montreal, Canada - if they're using them for their big clients, you've  got a great resource!
  • Images are categorized based on their content, making certain themes well covered.
  • The images are easy to download (single-click).
The Bad:
  • Images are not tagged, as the category function is designed to cover image search. 

Kaboompics

A WOW site covering Abstract, City & Architecture, Fashion, Food and Landscapes at its core, this website has free images online that will have you downloading on mass. 
Why we like it:
  • Around 1328 free images of great quality.
  • Images are easy to download and can be used for personal or commercial purposes.
  • The images distributed across 6 categories, have proper tags corresponding to each of them.
​The bad:
  • The unusually light colour contrast of the site might give an overall dull first impression, but there are diamonds to be mined here.
  • All images are only available in single sizes. 

Moveast

A very simple site, with a very clear objective -  free stock images no watermark.
Why we like it: 
  • The attractiveness and simplicity of the site.
  • All images are of high resolution and available for free to download, with no bindings to the usage of the images; no conditions regarding attributions.
The bad:
  • Individual images don't have tags associated.
  • Images do not not contain any corresponding details, nor are categorized, so it requires a bit of a manual chase to get the g

Tookapic

This site is a collection of unique and authentic free and premium stock photos, perfect for social media promotions - free stock images download made easy!
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​Why we like it:
  • The collection of high quality images is classified into free and premium categories, and there a plenty of free images. 
  • All free images can be used in personal or commercial works.
  • Images are categorized based on their content.
  • All images have proper tags and other details associated with them.

Picjumbo

Why we like it:
  • Beautiful collection of properly tagged high quality images. The tab at the top gives the opportunity to browse and download images based on the category required.
  • Excellent feature to "Test Drive" your image in order to get a feel of how you can use a particular image to serve your purpose - free stock images for commercial use without risk. 
The bad:
  • After landing on the site you might have a feel that it has focused too much on advertisements, but this is stated for the sole reason of paying for the site.
  • ​Membership (free) is required. 

Magdeleine

Why we like it: 
  • Selective image, making the collection undoubtedly one of the best ones in terms of quality and content.
  • High quality images classified into 8 different categories (nature, city & architecture, people animals, food, technology, objects and abstract) - free images download with purpose. 
  • Images can be downloaded and used, however, attributions might be required in some cases.
  • Proper tags along with download size mentioned alongside each image.
The bad:
  • Single size downloads.

Public Domain Archive

Welcome to the premier collection of vintage (and breathtaking) photographs.
Why we like it:
  • The extensive collection of high quality images, updated weekly.
  • Free images for commercial use - all images are free to download and use for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images are categorized based on their content
The bad:
  • Individual images are not tagged - not so helpful. 
  • Clicking on the page numbers given at the bottom of the homepage does not navigate to the corresponding pages, so the website does have some bugs. 

Gratisography

Why we like it:
  • Pictures are added weekly, and all of them have been photographed by Canadian concept artist Ryan McGuire. 
  • The collection is carefully presented, and all of high resolution.
  • Images can be used for personal or commercial purposes; royalty free images by one artist is unique, and we like the collection. 
The bad:
  • The site doesn't boast of a huge count of images but there is a frequent addition to the existing list.
  • ​No image tags available.

ISO Republic

Why we like it: 
  • Around 576 images in 7 different formats.
  • All images are of high quality and available for free download, with no attribution required for using the images for personal or commercial use.
  • Proper tags available with all the images; a good collection of free images of people.
The bad:
  • Single size downloads only.
  • ​Download size or resolutions of images are not mentioned, making the quality hard to predict

Negative Space

Why we like it:
  • Negative space has a refined collection of around 500 high-end free stock images.
  • As the site proudly declares, it doesn't hold any copyright restrictions for usage of its images so there are absolutely no restrictions in use.
  • Usage of filter on the displayed images based on the content or the shade of colour you are looking for.
  • The images hold relevant tags with them, making for easy searches.

FreeImages

A heritage collection of vast range of images categories, meaning with registration this can serve as a one-stop image source.
Why we like it:
  • A MASSIVE collection of 388,249 stock photography images spreading across 27 different categories. 
  • All images under the free section can be downloaded and used for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images have proper tags associated with them along with many other details.
The bad:
  • Signup is required in order to download images even from the free section.

Picography

Why we like it:
  • 600,000 images, all easy to download, multiple sizes with no attribution, Picography delivers!

The bad:
  • Not the best search filters - use single words vs long tail for more images, but more hunting required as a result. 
  • Stock photos free vs paid issue - make sure you can see the difference before getting too excited about your free picture. 

Visual Hunt

Visual Hunt is a monster that delivers FAST photos for pretty much anything.  
​Why we like it:
  • Easily ahead of its competitors with around 384 million free pictures to choose from. From that, 50,000 are CCO (royalty free). 
  • Properly tagged and categorized images, indicating whether it can be used for commercial purposes.
  • C​opyright free images are easily downloadable and available in multiple resolutions and sizes to choose from and suffice user requirements.

DesignerPics

The simplicity of the site along with its unique content will surely awe you. The homepage constantly changes, with images of "lemon cheesecake" or "red chair" that you never knew you needed. 
Why we like it: 
  • DesignerPics has great collection of high resolution stock images free to use and presented in 10 different categories.
  • Image stock is easy and free to download in all cases.
  • All images can be used for commercial or personal purposes without the need for any attribution.
  • Each image has proper tagging along with the download size, with them.
  • In summary, it's an EASY site with heaps of applications. 

Morguefile

True to its name, this site holds a vast collection of post production materials for referential requirements - in essence, and online morgue of stock photos for your illustration, comp or design needs.
Why we like it:
  • A collection of 374,919 free pics of unique beauty.
  • All free images for websites are free to download and can be used for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images have proper tags associated with them along with many other details.
The bad:
  • Images are not categorized based on the type of their content.

Realisticshots

As suggested by the name, this site canvas some unique and realistic snaps. Best of all, the website is carefully curated and updated with "7 images per week". 
Why we like it:
  • A good collection of royalty free photos divided into five different categories based on content type: Architecture, Nature, People, Travel and Technology.
  • All images are of high resolution and free to download, used and modified for personal or commercial purposes.
  • Free royalty free images have proper tags along with them.
  • The name of the website, "realistic shots", is 100% appropriate for the extensive image library. You won't find filters or manipulation. 

Jay mantri

Why we like it:
  • Hundreds of beautiful free stock photography images that definitely warms the eyes.
  • The high resolution stock pictures are free to be used for any purpose.
  • ​The simplicity of the site is worth mentioning.
The bad:
  • No tags available with the royalty free photos..

Barn Images

With the homepage working as a gallery of wonder, Barn Images is free of barns and full of delight. 
Why we like it:
  • A huge collection of absolutely mind blowing royalty free stock photos . 
  • The categorized images can be used for free.
  • The images are easily downloadable.
The bad:
  • Too many advertisements might pop-up at times.
  • Individual free photo stock images not tagged.
  • Multiples resolutions are unavailable for the free stock images.

FindAPhoto

A one stop place where you will find 10,000 of the best stock free images across the web, all in one place. 

​​Why we like it:
  • Images are well categorized and can be searched based on colour, source or type.
  • All images are of high quality and free to download, used and modified without the requirement of any credit. This is always welcome when it comes to digital projects. 
  • All images have proper tags along with them, ensuring efficient collation and downloading of a theme a user needs.

FreeImages

While signup is required, (do it quickly here), the collection is very high quality and worth the effort and odd email. 
Why we like it?
  • ~400,000 FREE images online
  • Quick access to photos, various sizes available​
The bad:
  • A lot of focus on Getty/paid images, which surround any image choice. 

Skitterphoto

For all the free images you never knew you needed, Skitterphoto has just the JPEG. 
Why we like it:
  • More than 800 free stock images having high resolutions.
  • All images are free to use without any restrictions whatsoever.
  • The stock images all bear appropriate tags.
  • The user friendliness of the site is remarkable, making image selection easy and efficient.

RaumRot

Why we like it:
  • Absolutely stunning collection of 891 high resolution royalty free images spread across 10 different categories.
  • All images are free to download and can be used in personal or commercial projects.
  • User friendly site, simple to browse images and download.
The bad:
  • No tags available with the images.

Fancy Crave

A great free stock images download site with a promising outlook
Why we like it:
  • A sweet collection of high quality copyright free images - the website looks HOT and you can easily see merit in the collection. .
  • All images are free to download and can be used for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images are presented in categories base on their content.
  • All images have dimensions and other useful details associated with them.
The bad:
  • The images don't have tags associated to them.

Freenaturestock

fA royalty free site with a collection of stock images on mother nature, presented by photographer Adrian Pelletier.
Why we like it:
  • The extensive collection of high quality images on nature related aspects.
  • These stock images for websites can be downloaded and used for free.
  • No conditions to be adhered to in order to use the images, making reuse limitless. 
  • Images are properly tagged.
The bad:
  • Images are not organised in a range of topics, so it's lucky dip to see if they have what you need.

Pattern Pictures

Why we like it:
  • A fantastic collection of patterns such as Stone, Wood, Urban, Nature, Animal, Sky etc. 
  • Plenty of other calming images, perfect for any marketing in the health field. 
  • An extensive range, with clear alternative image presentation below every selected images. 
  • Free image stock to download, and fast!

Snapwire

Why we like it:
  • A huge collection of high quality images, all royalty free.
  • Images can be searched based on resolution and several other parameters.
The bad:
  • Proper attention is required towards thecomplicated terms and conditions of the website.
  • ​Many high quality images falls under the premium category and are therefore not free. 

Stock image point

A "hand made" collection of royalty free images, which offers five genres rich in landscape, animals and city etc. Nothing too exciting, but good to stop by.  
Why we like it:
  • The website holds a collection of excellent, unique images which are free to be used for personal or commercial purposes. 
  • User friendly site and stock images can be downloaded very easily without any signup being required. 
​The bad:
  • Limited photo tagging.
  • Limited images.

OpenPhoto

A unique collection of free lively images, with a "Photo of the Day" feature that is all yours to download should you want it.
​Why we like it:
  • All images are free to download and can be used for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images are presented in categories base on their content, and have proper keywords tagged to them.
The bad:
  • Proper credit needs to be given to the original photographer for using any image.
  • Size or resolution details not present along with images.

Goodfreephotos

This site has an unique collection of free public domain photos on varied topics on interest; landscapes, objects, animals, plants, textures and more. 
Why we like it:
  • Goodfreephotos presents an excellent collection of around 5639 royalty free images that are properly categorized based on their content.
  • These high quality images are free to download and use based on requirement.
  • No signup or attribution is required.​​

PixalBay

Pixalbay's opening sentence is a dream - "All images and videos on Pixabay are released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty-free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required."

So what's not to like?
The selection isn't fantastic for certain niches, i.e. cities, countries, but for generic images, Pixalbay is totally worth a play. ​

Jeshoots

A refined list that delivers on freedom of use, with high quality making up for a finite number of images. 
Why we like it:
  • Around 220 high quality stock images from 8 different categories, and while all images are free to download and bear no copyright restrictions for usage, remember there are only 220 in total. 
  • Beautifully described title present along with each of the images.
The bad:
  • There will be the urge to see more available images in this site.
  • Images are not tagged and are of single size downloads.

Travel Coffee Book

This excellent resource presents some beautiful travel moments in the form of photography.
​Why we like it: 
  • The Travel Coffee Book has powerful and innovative images, all of very high quality and free to download stock photo.
  • No restrictions on usage of images in either commercial or personal forms; the site makes it clear from marking each image as "cc0".
  • Proper tags and titles present along with each of the images.
The bad:
  • Images are not divided into categories.

Libreshot

Libretshot contains a collection of royalty free stock images with content mainly focused on European countries.
Why we like it:
  • The collection is properly categorized and titled, with around 1,100 high resolution and fascinating images.
  • All images are of high quality and free to download and use as per requirement.
  • There are no hassles of copyright and attributions.
  • Images are properly tagged and available to download in multiple resolutions removing the need to resize. 

IM Creator

Why we like it:
  • The website contains 908 beautiful free images of people.
  • Proper tags are present along with the images.
The bad:
  • The content of the images mainly focuses on people and human/social aspects in general, so this may be very limiting if "people" isn't  what you are looking for. 
  • The search function is a bit clunky, owing to the website being primarily for a paid website builder service. 

Everystockphoto

A MAJOR player in image sourcing, if Google was an image library, it would be this!
Why we like it:
  • Millions of stock photos available for free to download.
  • All images are of very high quality.
  • Photos present in this site are collected from various free-licensed stock image sites, hence Everystockphoto is a huge collection of almost every variety.
  • Various details including resolution, average rating, license details are given alongside each image.
The bad:
  • No tags present with the images.
  • Proper attribution need to be given in order to use the images for commercial purposes.

StockSnap

Why we like it:
  • Stocksnap provides 100% free access to thousands of high quality stock images
  • We like that no sign up required, and access is immediate. 
  • Sort images by popularity; Stocksnap highlights "trending photos" and displays a view count for each image.
  • Searching is easy; the website has proper tagging to locate exactly what you need a lot faster. 
  • All images are of high resolution, which makes their applications endless. 

Death to Stock Photos

Why we like it:
  • The site contains adorable free images, best used for writers and creative folk. 
  • The images are beautifully categorized and all available for free.
  • Images are available in easily click and save format.
The bad:
  • You might feel that you still need to do a bit of research throughout the site in order to find the one you are looking for.

​Pexels

This site is one of the best - we've seen over 500 to make this sort list, so it's worth checking out.  
​Why we like it: 
  • A huge collection of very high quality free stock images.
  • All images are free to download and can be used for personal or commercial usage.
  • Images have associated tags and other details.
  • Different resolutions to choose from while downloading an image.
The bad:
  • Images are not categorized based on content, but are easy enough to find based on the very specific categories.

FreeJPG

This Argentinian-based site is a class apart and is high recommended for searches in Animals, Art/Architecture, Food/Drink, Music, Nature, People, Textures and Travel.
Why we like it:
  • The collection has over 10,000 high quality stock images.
  • All images are free to download and use for editorial or commercial usage.
  • Images are categorized based on popular subjects.
  • More than one resolution options available for downloading the images.
  • Each image has proper keywords tagged with them.
  • In summary, FREEJPG is a total winner!