When it comes to finding the right images for your creative projects, having access to quality visuals can make all the difference. Whether you’re designing a website, crafting a marketing campaign, or spicing up a social media post, the right image helps grab attention and make your content shine. To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 image banks—5 free options for budget-conscious creators and 5 paid platforms for when you want even more premium choices. Let’s dive in!
Top 5 free image banks
Unsplash
Unsplash is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for high-quality, professional-looking photos without spending a dime. Their library includes stunning landscapes, artistic portraits, and versatile lifestyle shots—all available for free. You don’t even need to credit the photographer (though it’s a nice touch). With its user-friendly search and beautifully curated collections, Unsplash is perfect for both personal and commercial projects.
Best For: Bloggers, website design, and social media content.
Pro Tip: Check out their curated collections for trending or themed content.
Pexels
Pexels offers an extensive library of free photos and videos that you can use for both personal and commercial purposes. What sets Pexels apart is its focus on diversity, ensuring you’ll find content that resonates with modern audiences. The site is updated daily with new contributions from photographers worldwide, keeping the collection fresh and relevant.
Best For: Social media campaigns and video projects.
Pro Tip: Use their “Explore” feature to discover trending topics and categories.
Pixabay
Pixabay goes beyond photos to include free illustrations, vectors, and even music tracks. Their expansive collection of over 5 million assets makes it one of the most comprehensive free image banks available. You’ll find something for every project from polished corporate visuals to whimsical illustrations.
Best For: Designers, educators, and marketers.
Pro Tip: Explore their vector and illustration sections for unique design assets.
Kaboompics
Kaboompics is a hidden gem offering stunning lifestyle photography, especially for bloggers, small business owners, and influencers. Each photo comes with a handy color palette, making it easier to create cohesive designs. Whether you need cozy interiors or stylish fashion shots, Kaboompics delivers.
Best For: Branding and editorial content.
Pro Tip: Use their palette feature to match images with your brand colors.
Burst (by Shopify)
Burst, created by Shopify, is designed with entrepreneurs in mind. Their collections cater to e-commerce needs, with categories like “Fitness” and “Tech” that make it easy to find niche-specific images. Whether you’re building a store, designing ads, or creating social media posts, Burst offers quality visuals tailored to your business.
Best For: E-commerce businesses and startups.
Pro Tip: Browse their seasonal collections for timely, themed visuals.
Top 5 paid image banks
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a household name in the stock photo industry, and for good reason. With over 400 million assets, including photos, videos, and music, it’s a go-to resource for businesses of all sizes. Their licensing terms are straightforward, making it easy to use their content in commercial projects.
Best For: Large-scale projects and professional marketing campaigns.
Pro Tip: Use their advanced search filters to narrow down results by color, orientation, or style.
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock integrates seamlessly with Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Illustrator, making it a favorite among designers. Their library boasts over 200 million assets, including premium photos, vectors, videos, and even 3D models. Plus, Adobe Stock offers a generous free trial, so you can test it out before committing.
Best For: Graphic designers and creative professionals.
Pro Tip: Use the integration with Creative Cloud to edit images directly within your projects.
iStock by Getty Images
iStock is a more affordable alternative to Getty Images while still offering high-quality content. They specialize in royalty-free photos, illustrations, and videos that cater to professional needs. Their “Essentials” collection is budget-friendly, while the “Signature” collection offers exclusive premium images.
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses.
Pro Tip: Check out their subscription plans for cost-effective access to a wide range of content.
Depositphotos
Depositphotos offers a massive library of over 230 million assets, including photos, vectors, and videos. Their flexible pricing plans make them a great choice for businesses with varying content needs. Whether you need just a few images or a steady stream of visuals, Depositphotos has you covered.
Best For: Agencies and businesses with ongoing design needs.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for their annual deals, which often include substantial discounts on subscriptions.
Getty Images
If you’re looking for the gold standard in stock photography, Getty Images is hard to beat. Their collection is curated to perfection, offering exclusive, premium visuals you won’t find anywhere else. From editorial shots to cinematic visuals, Getty Images caters to high-end projects that demand the best.
Best For: Luxury brands and high-profile campaigns.
Pro Tip: Use Getty for projects that require unique or exclusive content to stand out from the competition.
How to choose the right image bank for you
When deciding which image bank to use, consider this:
Budget: If you’re working on a tight budget, stick to free platforms like Unsplash or Burst. If you’re looking for exclusive or specialized content, paid options like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock are worth the investment.
Project Type: For social media or blog posts, free options often work perfectly. For advertising or commercial campaigns, paid platforms provide a broader range of high-resolution, exclusive visuals.
Frequency: If you regularly need images, a paid subscription to platforms like Depositphotos or iStock can save you time and money.
Why awesome visuals matter
An image is worth a thousand words. But a good one is worth a million! Visuals are the key to grabbing attention and keeping it. Running a business means you’re always looking for ways to stand out, save money, and connect with your audience. When it comes to visuals, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create an impressive presence. Free image banks can be your secret weapon, offering high-quality photos that elevate your brand and help you get creative without breaking the bank. Here’s how using these resources can make a difference for you and your business:
Save money on visual content
You don’t need to hire a professional photographer or pay for expensive stock images to get stunning visuals. Free image banks give you access to incredible photos, illustrations, and even videos—all at no cost. This means you can redirect your budget to other priorities, like growing your team, upgrading tools, or running ads.
Build your brand identity
Your visuals play a huge role in how people perceive your business. Whether your vibe is sleek and modern or warm and approachable, you’ll find images that match your style on platforms like Unsplash or Pixabay. You can use these images to tell your brand’s story, stand out from the competition, and make a lasting impression on your audience.
Create content faster
You’ve got a million things to do, and spending hours hunting for the right image shouldn’t be one of them. Image banks make it quick and easy for you to grab high-quality visuals for social media posts, blog articles and email campaigns.By using the image banks listed here, you’ll have all the tools you need to elevate your content and make a lasting impact. Image banks put professional visuals at your fingertips, making it easier for you to connect with your audience, grow your brand, and stay ahead of the competition.
