So you want to write an article or make a video about your favorite topic but you're missing some images to illustrate what you're trying to explain? Look no further than this list of the best (according to me) websites providing you with free to use (for any purpose) photos and videos of great quality and covering any topic!
Photos only
- Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/ - Unsplash has a lot of content in a lot of different and well organised categories, from nature to sports, business and even random textures. All the images are free to use and crediting the author is not required (but always appreciated :)). You can even see the technical details of each picture (camera make, resolution, ISO, f-stop, ...).
Videos only
- Videvo: https://www.videvo.net/ - Videvo provides a wide range of stock videos of very good quality. Creating an account is not mandatory to download free videos, but some footage is only available if you have a premium account ($15 or $25 a month). I usually find everything I need in the free section and I never actually needed any premium footage. You can also get free to use music and sound effects. Each video is licensed individually, so make sure to check what you can and can't do with it, and if you need to credit the artist if you use it.
- Videezy: https://www.videezy.com/ - Much like Videvo, you can get free stock footage without creating an account, but you have more options if you get a pro account ($19 to $49). Videezy organises its content in dozens of very specific categories, allowing you to search more precisely for what you're looking for.
- Coverr: https://coverr.co/ - Again, you don't need an account to download free footage on Coverr, but I feel like this one has less content overall. Great videos of great quality still though!
Photos and videos
- Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/ - Pexels is a very complete platform. No account needed, photos and videos completely free to use (no credit attribution required). Like on Unsplash, you can get all the technical information about the photo or video you want to download.
- Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/ - Pixabay has a huge library of content (photos, videos, illustrations and vectors), but if you want to download pictures in the best quality available, you will need to create an account (free).
I think my personal favorite is Pexels. When I'm working on posters or thumbnails for my Youtube videos, or even cover pictures for articles here, I usually start looking at Pexels first, and then Unsplash.
Comment below which websites you use and recommend as well!
