Good visuals make everything better. Whether you’re writing a blog, building a website, or posting on social media, the right image can grab attention, explain a message, and boost engagement. But here’s the tricky part: not every image on the internet is free to use. Some are copyrighted, some require credit, and others come with strict rules.
So, where can you find images online safely and legally? Let’s explore the best websites, tools, and tips for discovering high-quality images for your next project.
Best Free Websites to Find Images Online
If you’re on a budget or just need quick visuals, free image sites are your best friend. Many of these offer royalty-free, Creative Commons, or public domain photos. That means you can use them without paying, as long as you follow their license rules.
1. Unsplash
Unsplash is often the first name people mention when talking about free image resources. It’s a community-driven platform that allows photographers from all over the world to share their work for anyone to use. Every image uploaded to Unsplash is high-resolution and completely free for both personal and commercial use. You don’t have to credit the photographer, but it’s always appreciated as a courtesy.
The variety on Unsplash is what makes it so useful. You’ll find everything from minimal product backgrounds and creative portraits to travel landscapes and editorial-style photos. Bloggers, marketers, and designers use it regularly because it feels natural and authentic compared to traditional stock photos. There’s also a built-in search engine that makes finding the right image quick and intuitive.
Unsplash has also integrated with design tools like Canva, Figma, and Notion, making it easier to import visuals directly into projects. For creators who care about both quality and ease of use, Unsplash remains a top choice.
2. Pexels
Pexels is another powerful and free stock photo site known for its modern, artistic visuals. It started as a small community for photographers but quickly grew into a massive library of both photos and videos — all available under a free commercial-use license. No attribution is required, so you can use them in social media ads, blog posts, or brand campaigns without worrying about copyright claims.
What makes Pexels stand out is its strong visual style. Many of its images have a clean, editorial tone that works well for creative professionals and businesses. The site also features stock videos, which are rare in free collections. This makes it great for content creators who want matching photo and video sets.
Pexels organizes its library into trending topics like “Self-Care,” “Nature,” or “Technology,” which helps users discover images that fit current design and marketing themes. It’s also known for being inclusive — you’ll find diverse models and real-world scenes rather than overly polished stock imagery.
For designers or social media managers who want visually appealing, ready-to-use content, Pexels is one of the best free tools online.
3. Pixabay
Pixabay is a complete creative hub. It doesn’t just focus on photography — it also includes illustrations, vector graphics, videos, sound effects, and music. All of its content is released under the Pixabay License, which is based on the CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license. That means you can use everything for free, even commercially, without attribution or worrying about copyright.
The library contains millions of files, and its search filters make it easy to narrow results by type (photo, vector, video, etc.), orientation, or color palette. This makes Pixabay particularly useful for teachers, content marketers, and web developers who need consistent visuals across multiple formats.
Pixabay also has an active contributor community, which means the site stays fresh with new uploads daily. You can find artistic, business, and lifestyle images — but also technical diagrams and backgrounds for web or presentation design. Because it covers so many categories, Pixabay is ideal for anyone who wants variety in one place.
4. Freepik
If you work in design or marketing, Freepik is an essential resource. Unlike traditional photo libraries, Freepik offers a wide range of creative assets including icons, vectors, PSD templates, backgrounds, and illustrations in addition to stock photos. The site has both free and premium content, and free downloads typically require attribution to the original creator.
Freepik’s biggest strength lies in its diversity of design elements. You can download ready-made infographics, banners, mockups, and social media templates that help speed up creative projects. Its library caters to professionals who need both artistic and practical materials — perfect for designers working on websites, ads, or brand kits.
Premium users get access to a larger library, higher download limits, and no attribution requirements. Even on the free plan, however, the content is excellent for educators, small businesses, and freelance creators who want design flexibility without spending money.
5. Burst by Shopify
Burst is a free image platform created by Shopify, mainly for business owners, entrepreneurs, and eCommerce creators. It focuses on high-quality business and lifestyle imagery that brands can use on websites, product listings, and ads. Every photo on Burst is licensed under Creative Commons Zero (CC0) or Shopify’s own free-to-use license, meaning you can use them for personal or commercial purposes without attribution.
Unlike many stock platforms, Burst’s photos are tailored for branding and marketing. You’ll find categories like “Small Business,” “Fitness,” “Fashion,” “Food,” and “Technology.” The library includes both trendy, modern visuals and classic business shots suitable for product launches, blog posts, or ad campaigns.
What’s unique about Burst is its connection to real business themes. For example, Shopify curates collections like “DIY Craft Ideas,” “Healthy Living,” and “Work From Home.” These ready-to-use themes help entrepreneurs find imagery that matches their brand identity.
The site also offers practical business tips and photo collections designed to inspire new business ideas. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to make your online store or brand visually appealing, Burst is a valuable resource.
Tip: Always double-check the license, even on “free” sites, to make sure you’re following usage rules correctly.
Paid Stock Photo Sites for Professionals
If you’re looking for exclusive, polished visuals for branding or campaigns, premium stock photo platforms are a worthwhile investment. They offer larger collections, better quality, and consistent licensing.
6. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is one of the largest and most recognized names in the stock image industry. With a collection of more than 400 million images, plus videos, vectors, and music tracks, it’s a one-stop shop for all creative media needs. The platform is known for its diversity — covering everything from business and technology to travel, food, and fashion.
The biggest advantage of Shutterstock is its search precision. Its advanced search tools and filters help you find exactly what you need by color, orientation, style, or concept. It’s perfect for teams that need to find the right image fast. Another key benefit is its predictable licensing system. Shutterstock’s Standard and Enhanced Licenses clearly outline what you can do with each image — so you can safely use them for ads, websites, or product packaging without legal worries.
Shutterstock also offers AI-powered tools like “Generate” (for creating AI-assisted visuals) and “Smart Search” that predicts what users are looking for. These features make it easier for designers and marketing teams to stay creative while keeping a consistent visual identity.
If you value quality, reliability, and a huge variety of choices, Shutterstock remains one of the best paid image resources on the web.
7. Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is a go-to platform for designers and creative professionals who already use Adobe’s tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. Its biggest advantage is integration. You can browse, license, and use stock photos directly inside your Adobe apps without leaving your workspace, making it a seamless experience for creatives.
Adobe Stock has a curated library of millions of photos, videos, illustrations, templates, and 3D assets. The quality of its visuals is exceptionally high — professional, clean, and ready for commercial use. Because it’s designed for creators, the platform prioritizes authentic and emotionally engaging content that connects with audiences.
One standout feature is the AI-driven search powered by Adobe Sensei, which recognizes visual patterns and helps users find the most relevant image faster. Adobe Stock also supports contributors, meaning that its library grows continuously with original content from skilled photographers and artists.
Pricing is flexible, offering both subscription plans and on-demand credits, so you can choose what fits your project scale. If you already work within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, Adobe Stock is easily one of the most convenient and time-saving options out there.
8. Getty Images
Getty Images is synonymous with premium photography. It’s a powerhouse in the visual industry, used by news agencies, publishers, brands, and media outlets around the world. What sets Getty apart is its focus on editorial and exclusive content — including breaking news, entertainment events, sports, and celebrity photos that you won’t find on any other stock platform.
Getty’s catalog includes both royalty-free and rights-managed content. Rights-managed licensing means certain images are restricted to specific uses, time periods, or regions, which ensures exclusivity. For businesses that want to stand out with unique visuals, this kind of licensing can be a big advantage.
The quality control at Getty Images is unmatched. Every image is reviewed and tagged for metadata accuracy, style, and relevance. This makes the library especially useful for publishers, journalists, and companies looking for credible, high-resolution visuals tied to real events or professional campaigns.
Getty also provides video footage, music, and illustrations, giving brands an entire media solution under one roof. If your goal is premium branding or editorial storytelling, Getty Images delivers the highest standard of professional content available online.
9. Depositphotos
For businesses and freelancers who want professional visuals without breaking the bank, Depositphotos offers the perfect balance between affordability and quality. It features over 250 million files, including stock photos, vectors, and videos, all available under straightforward licensing terms.
Depositphotos is popular for its flexible pricing plans. You can buy individual images with on-demand credits or choose monthly subscriptions for regular use. This flexibility makes it accessible for small businesses, bloggers, and marketers who need reliable images without committing to expensive contracts.
The platform’s search tools are intuitive and filter results by category, orientation, color, and even contributor. It also provides AI-powered keyword suggestions to make finding specific visuals easier.
In terms of quality, Depositphotos competes closely with bigger platforms like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock but at a fraction of the cost. It’s particularly good for social media graphics, blog illustrations, or ad visuals where high quality and affordability both matter.
Paid platforms often provide peace of mind, clear usage rights, professional quality, and no surprise copyright claims later.
Understanding Image Licenses and Copyright
Before downloading or using any image, it’s important to know what the license allows. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Public Domain (CC0): Anyone can use the image for any purpose without credit.
- Creative Commons (CC): Some rights reserved. You might need to credit the creator.
- Royalty-Free: You pay once (or not at all) and can reuse the image multiple times.
- Rights-Managed: Strict usage rules — based on time, region, or purpose.
Also, avoid editing or redistributing copyrighted photos unless the license specifically allows it. Never use watermarked images from Google or stock sites unless you’ve purchased them.
AI Image Generation Tools
AI has opened a whole new way to find or create images online. Instead of searching, you can generate unique visuals from text prompts.
Here are a few AI tools worth trying:
- ChatGPT (OpenAI): Creates realistic images from natural text input.
- Midjourney: Generates creative and artistic visuals — perfect for branding or concepts.
- Canva AI: Built into Canva, it lets you design and generate visuals in one place.
- Bing Image Creator: Free AI tool powered by OpenAI, available through Microsoft’s Edge browser.
AI images are original and customizable, but always check the platform’s commercial use policy before publishing them.
How to Use Google Images Safely
Google Images is fantastic for inspiration, but not every picture there is free. Luckily, you can filter results to find images you can legally reuse.
Steps to search safely:
- Go to Google Images.
- Type what you’re looking for (e.g., “city skyline”).
- Click Tools → Usage Rights.
- Choose “Creative Commons licenses” or “Commercial & other licenses.”
Even then, it’s smart to click through to the original site and confirm the license before using the image.
Tips for Using Online Images the Right Way
Using images responsibly keeps your content safe and your reputation intact. Follow these quick tips:
- Always check the license before downloading.
- Give credit if required.
- Avoid using watermarked or low-quality versions.
- Resize and optimize images for faster website loading.
- Use alt text and descriptive file names for better SEO and accessibility.
- Keep a folder with license info in case you ever need proof of usage rights.
Alternative Image Sources You Might Not Know
Besides popular stock sites, there are amazing public databases and archives full of free visuals.
- Wikimedia Commons: Millions of public domain and freely licensed images.
- NASA Media Library: Incredible space and science images, all public domain.
- Library of Congress: Historical images, artwork, and public photos.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Library: Nature and wildlife images free for public use.
These are great for research, education, or unique creative projects.
Conclusion
Finding the right images online doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you’re using free sites like Unsplash, paid platforms like Shutterstock, or AI tools like ChatGPT, the key is understanding how licenses work and respecting copyright rules.
Use images that match your purpose, check the license before posting, and give credit when needed. With the right resources, you can make your content visually powerful and legally safe.