How to choose a site
Start with what you need the image for. A blog header or a slide needs a clean, modern photo, so the big photo libraries are the quickest place to look. A history post, a poster or a book cover often works better with an old print or a painting, and that is where museums and public archives shine.
| Type of site | Good for | Check before use |
|---|---|---|
| Photo libraries | Everyday scenes, people, business, food | Selling rules, logos, people in the picture |
| CC0 photo sites | Use with no strings in the license | Rights the license cannot waive, like privacy |
| Museums and archives | Art, maps, historic photos | The rights note on each single item |
Then look at the Commercial use and Credit columns. If you use the image for a business, an ad or a product, filter for commercial use first.
What the free licenses allow
Most of these sites let you copy, edit and use images in commercial work without asking and without paying. The Unsplash license covers commercial use with no permission needed, and the Pexels terms and Pixabay terms grant use for commercial or non-commercial purposes with no credit required.
The common limits are about reselling the image itself. Unsplash says images cannot be sold without significant modification. Pexels says not to sell unaltered copies as a poster, print or physical product, and not to put its photos on other stock or wallpaper platforms. Foodiesfeed and Gratisography also ban redistribution on other stock sites. So using a photo inside your design is fine; selling the photo on its own usually is not.
What the license does not cover
A free license covers the photographer's copyright. It does not clear everything else that is in the picture, and several sites say so directly:
- Logos and brands. Pixabay says content with recognisable trademarks, logos or brands cannot be used for commercial purposes. Picjumbo warns that some photos may contain brands, logos or personal property.
- People. ISO Republic and Picjumbo say some photos with people are not model-released. Wikimedia Commons notes that commercial use of a person's image may need that person's consent, not just the photographer's.
- Endorsement. Pexels, Gratisography and Foodiesfeed all say you must not suggest that the people or brands in a photo endorse your product.
- Your own brand. Pexels and Pixabay do not allow their images as part of your trademark or business name.
- Buildings and insignia. ISO Republic says private buildings may need the owner's permission for some commercial uses, and NASA says its insignia and logotype are not in the public domain.
If a photo shows a clear face, a product label or a famous building and you plan an ad or product, pick a different photo or get permission.
Archive and museum images
Archives use their own wording. The Library of Congress explains that "no known restrictions on publication" means the Library is not aware of any restrictions, and that it is up to you to check copyright and other rights. It also asks for a credit line as a courtesy. Flickr Commons uses "no known copyright restrictions" in a similar way and gives no guarantee.
Museums are often clearer. The Cleveland Museum of Art releases its open access images under CC0 and says no attribution is required. The Rijksmuseum marks most material as Public Domain or CC0, but items under CC BY 4.0 need a credit to the museum.
Keep a record of every image
License pages change, and photos get removed. A short record protects you if anyone asks later where an image came from. For every image you use, note:
- the page URL of the image, not just the site
- the photographer or institution and the image title or ID
- the license name and the date you downloaded it
- a screenshot or PDF of the license page on that day
A simple spreadsheet works. Name the file with the source and ID too, for example pexels-12345-desk.jpg, so the link survives when you rename projects. Before you publish, check the file with the EXIF viewer, then make it web ready with the image cropper, the image resizer and the image compressor, or turn it into a smaller file with the WebP converter. For ready-made templates, see our freebies.
How we checked
On 2026-10-20 we opened each site's own license, terms or open access page and wrote down only what it says. If a page did not mention credit or commercial use, the table says "Not stated". A few well known photo sites are missing because their license page could not be opened on that day or the service has closed. This list is not legal advice; for a big campaign, read the full terms or ask a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to credit the photographer?
On Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, Burst, ISO Republic, Negative Space and Foodiesfeed, credit is not required, though most say it is appreciated. Wikimedia Commons depends on each file's license, Rijksmuseum items under CC BY 4.0 need a credit, and NASA asks to be acknowledged as the source.
Can I use free stock photos for business projects?
On most sites in this list, yes. Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay, Burst and the CC0 sites allow commercial use. The usual limits are logos and brands in the photo, implying that people or brands endorse you, and selling the unaltered photo on its own.
Can I print free photos on T-shirts or mugs and sell them?
It depends on the site. Burst's FAQ says you can use its photos for t-shirts, mugs and other products, and Gratisography allows merchandise as long as the picture itself is not the product. Unsplash says images cannot be sold without significant modification, and Pexels says not to sell unaltered copies on a physical product.
What does CC0 mean?
CC0 means the creator has waived their rights, so you may copy, modify and distribute the work, even for commercial purposes, without asking. As the Skitterphoto license page notes, CC0 does not affect trademark or patent rights or other people's publicity or privacy rights.
Do I need a model release for a photo with people?
The site cannot give you one in most cases. ISO Republic and Picjumbo say some photos with people are not model-released, and Wikimedia Commons notes that commercial use of a person's image may need that person's consent. For ads or products, choose photos without recognisable people or get written permission.
Can I upload these photos to another stock site?
No, not on the sites that address it. Pexels, Gratisography, Foodiesfeed and Picjumbo all forbid redistributing their photos on other stock photo or wallpaper platforms. Using a photo inside your own website, design or template is a different thing and is generally allowed.