Updated for 2026
What are some websites that have free stock images? I get this one a lot, and find myself re-typing out the same list for people looking for resources to build their websites. So I thought I would make a short post about this and then I can refer people to this article.
If you’re like me, you type in google ‘free stock images’ or ‘where can I find free photos’ or something like that. However when you get to some of the websites it says ‘to pay for this image…’ – warning rant alert…I get so annoyed when some website says free pic and then when you click on it, you have to pay! and don’t think I don’t know you photo websites do that on purpose. calming down now.. rant over.
I am not saying that some images are not worth paying for – I have purchased many beautiful images over the years and believe I got my moneys worth but don’t advertise free then try the bait and switch, that’s nasty.
Here is a list of REALLY REALLY FREE stock images. One note of caution sometimes you might see a page with two sections of photos- one section is the websites results for your query, the other is sponsored content- which will take you to a commercial image website to purchase images. Just be aware of the two and be sure to choose the one of interest to you.
Here is my curated and updated list of the best free stock image websites for 2026.
The Big Three – They tend to have the largest libraries and the most user-friendly licenses.
Unsplash – The undisputed leader for “artsy” and high-end photography. If you want your website to look like a lifestyle magazine, start here.
Pexels – Owned by Canva, Pexels offers a massive variety of trendy photos and—crucially—free vertical video clips for TikTok/Reels.
Pixabay – The workhorse of the group. Beyond photos, they offer free illustrations, vectors, and even music.
Best for Business
Burst (by Shopify) – Specifically designed for entrepreneurs. They offer “Business Idea” packs that give you a full set of matching photos for a specific niche (like coffee shops or yoga studios).
Picjumbo – Created by photographer Viktor Hanacek. The quality is consistently professional and great for website headers and corporate backgrounds.
StockSnap.io – Known for its excellent search filter that lets you sort by most views or downloads, so you can see what’s currently trending.
Best for Diverse Images
Nappy – High-res photos of Black and Brown people. Beautiful, realistic, and non-cliché.
The Gender Spectrum Collection – A library featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond stereotypes.
Disabled and Here – A disability-led stock image library featuring disabled BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).
The New Frontier Images..
In 2026, AI images have reached a level of realism that is approaching to be indistinguishable from photography. These sites are perfect when you need a “hyper-specific” scene.
FoodiesFeed – If you are a food blogger or restaurateur, don’t bother anywhere else. These are high-res, mouth-watering shots.
Pikwizard – Great for images featuring people. They have a built-in graphic design tool that lets you edit the photo before you download it.
Wait – you included 11 ? – underpromise – overdeliver (its a good motto).
If you found this helpful. Could you share it with others? Thanks.
p.s. Like the old Bell and Howell camera in the pic at the top? – that’s not a stock pic. I took the photo – I actually have that camera sitting on a shelf at home in good ole Brantford – it was my Dads.
Another one I forgot https://picjumbo.com
Thanks for the list. It will save me some time and a few bucks.
Maybe one more to mention
https://highresolutionimagesfree.com/free-photos
Thanks Bori – good one !!