If you typed "where to" into a search box because you need a usable image right now, go to Unsplash or Pexels first. Both let you download, modify, and use their photos for free, including for commercial work, without requiring you to create an account or enter a card.
The Big Free Libraries
Unsplash
Unsplash hosts a large library of high-resolution photos. Its license lets you download, copy, modify, and distribute the images for free, including for commercial purposes, and it does not require attribution. The license does not let you compile the images to create a similar or competing service. You do not need an account to download, and the license page does not ask for a payment card.
Pexels
Pexels offers both photos and videos under a similar free license. You can download and use the content without attribution, and you can modify it. The license restricts you from redistributing or selling the files on other stock photo or wallpaper platforms, and you cannot use them as a trademark or imply endorsement. No account or card is required to grab files, and the license page does not mention either.
Openverse
Openverse is not a single photo collection but a search layer that pulls from many sources. Everything you find there is under a Creative Commons license or is in the public domain. That means you can use the images, but you must check the specific license attached to each one, some require attribution, and some forbid commercial use. No account or card is needed to search or download.
Public Domain and Government Sources
National Archives Still Pictures
National Archives still pictures come from the U.S. federal government. Works created by federal agencies or federal employees as part of their official duties are not eligible for copyright protection in the United States, so they are treated as public domain. You can use these images freely without attribution, though the archive itself does not require an account or card to access the files.
Public Domain Image Archive
Public Domain Image Archive is a collection of out-of-copyright works. The site says the images are free to browse, download, and reuse. Because the copyright has expired, you do not need to credit anyone, and you can modify the images. The site does not require an account or a card for access.
The Attribution Problem Nobody Mentions
Most people assume that "free stock photo" means you must credit the photographer. That is true for many Creative Commons sources, but not for the big two. Unsplash and Pexels explicitly do not require attribution. That is a real advantage if you are designing something where a credit line would clutter the layout or if you are publishing on a platform that strips metadata.
However, the model-release issue is real. A model release is a signed document from a person in a photo allowing their image to be used commercially. Neither Unsplash nor Pexels guarantees a model release for every image. Pexels does include usage restrictions concerning identifiable people, but the license page does not give a full model-release policy. If you plan to use a photo of a person in advertising, a product, or any context that suggests endorsement, you may need to find an image where the model release is confirmed or use a service that provides one.
What to Check Before You Commit
- Read the license for each image. Even within a free library, individual uploads may carry different terms. Openverse, for example, mixes public domain and Creative Commons works, so check the badge on each file.
- Look for the model release. If the photo has a person's face, and you plan to use it commercially, look for a "model release" tag or a note in the description. If it is not there, assume there is no release.
- Do not resell or repackage. Both Unsplash and Pexels forbid compiling their images to create a competing stock photo service. That means you cannot download a thousand photos and sell them as a bundle on your own site.
- Check for trademarks. A photo of a branded product, a logo, or a recognizable building may include trademarked elements. The license covers the photo itself, not the underlying trademarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to download from Unsplash or Pexels?
No. The license pages for both services do not state that an account is required for downloading. You can go directly to the site, search, and save the file without signing up.
Can I use these photos in a YouTube video or a podcast?
Yes, for both Unsplash and Pexels, the license allows commercial use, so you can include the images in videos, thumbnails, or episode artwork. Just remember that the license does not cover the people in the photo unless they have signed a model release.
What does "public domain" mean for the National Archives images?
It means the copyright has expired or never existed, so you can use the images for any purpose without asking permission or paying a fee. You do not need to credit the government, though it is good practice to note the source.
Is there any downside to using Openverse instead of Unsplash?
Yes. Openverse pulls from many different sources, so you have to check each image's license individually. Some require attribution, some forbid commercial use, and some have both restrictions. Unsplash and Pexels have a single, uniform license, which is simpler if you need to use images quickly.
Can I modify a photo from Pexels and then sell the modified version?
Yes, the Pexels license allows modification, and you can use the modified version commercially. However, you cannot sell the original file as a stock photo, and you cannot redistribute it on another stock platform. The modification must be substantial enough that your work is a new creation.
More on fonts graphics
This is one of the guides in Where to Download Free Fonts, Images and Icons. The others:
