Best Free Image Websites for WordPress
Last Updated on 13th September 2023 by Ajmer Singh
Photo/Images are visual content. It not only gives a visual effect but quickly grabs the attention of readers.
Because of this reason, many bloggers use images in their blogs.
Images increase user engagement. If you want your post to stand out from others, use beautiful and relevant images. But getting images is not easy.
You cannot just use any images from Google. Most of the images have copyright.
It means you cannot use it without the owner’s permission. If you do so, you might face the consequences.
But there are other options which you can use. Many people use their own images to avoid copyright issues.
However, you need to create the image from scratch, which is not easy. Most bloggers are usually in a hurry.
Instead of doing this, you can get direct images to form sites that offer royalty-free images.
You can use these images without any copyright issues.
| My Blogging Picks of 2023 |
|---|
What are Royalty-Free Images?
Many people confuse royalty-free images as completely free images. But that is not true.
To use royalty-free images, you have to pay a one-time fee.
By doing this, you will get the rights over the image. Now, you can use the image for any purpose.
By paying the one-time royalty, you don’t get ownership of the image.
The owner will remain the same. They will only give you the license to use their images in your blogs.
You don’t have to pay a royalty every time you use that image.
You can use it again and again once you pay the one-time royalty.
Even though it is not entirely free, it is a wise choice for bloggers. You can get some fantastic pictures on these sites.
When you purchase a royalty-free image, you are typically allowed to use the content in a wide range of projects, such as websites, social media posts, marketing materials, and more, without the need to pay additional fees.
There may be some limitations on how you can use the content, such as not being allowed to sell the image as standalone artwork or using the image in a way that is considered offensive or inappropriate.
It is important to carefully review the terms of use for any royalty-free image you plan to use to make sure you are using the content legally.
I will list below all the best websites where you can get royalty-free images.
Features of Royalty-Free Images!
Each agency providing royalty-free images have its own terms and conditions.
They have six standard features.
Non-Transferable:
If you buy royalty-free images, you cannot transfer the rights.
Only the person who purchases it will get the license. You cannot give the license to anybody else.
The rights are non-transferable.
Non-Exclusive:
These images are not exclusive. More than one person can get a license for the same image.
If you want to use the image exclusively, you need to get a different license. Most bloggers go for an exclusive license to use the picture.
Perpetual:
Normally, once you get the license for the image, you can use it for as long as you want.
But some agencies place a time limit on the usage.
Worldwide:
Another feature is that you can use the image anywhere in the world.
There are no geographical boundaries.
Multiple Use:
You can use the image in any form you want. You can use the same image again and again.
You can use it in a digital format or in the form of a hard copy.
Some agencies and websites provide royalty-free images.
You need to check the price, specifications, and other terms of the license before you purchase it.
10+ Best Royalty Free Image Websites for WordPress
1. Pixabay
Pixabay is a website that offers a large collection of free, high-quality images and videos that are available for commercial use.
The website was created in 2010 and has since become a popular source of royalty-free images for a wide range of purposes, including blogging, social media, and business marketing.
One of the main features of Pixabay is the wide variety of images available on the site.
There are over 2.7 million+ images in the Pixabay library, and these include photographs, illustrations, and vector graphics.
The images are organized into categories to make it easy for users to find what they are looking for.
In addition to the images, Pixabay also offers a selection of videos, music, and sound effects that can be used for a variety of purposes.
All of the content on the site is free to use, and there is no need to give credit to the creators of the images.
Overall, Pixabay is a valuable resource for anyone looking for high-quality images and other content that they can use for personal or commercial purposes.
The wide variety of content available on the site makes it a great place to find images for any project.
2. Unsplash
Unsplash is a website that provides a collection of high-resolution, royalty-free images that can be freely downloaded and used for various purposes, including commercial projects.
The images on Unsplash are contributed by a community of photographers who share their work under the Unsplash license, which allows anyone to use the images for any purpose, without the need for attribution or permission.
Unsplash is a popular resource for bloggers, designers, and other content creators who are looking for high-quality, professional-grade images to use in their work.
The website features a wide range of categories, including nature, travel, architecture, and more, and users can search for specific keywords or browse through the curated collections to find the perfect image for their project.
One of the benefits of using Unsplash is that the images are free to use, which makes it an affordable option for those who need high-quality images but may not have the budget to purchase them from a traditional stock photo agency.
Additionally, the Unsplash community is very active and continually updates the website with new images, so there is always a fresh selection to choose from.
Overall, Unsplash is a valuable resource for anyone who needs access to high-quality, professional-grade images for their projects.
3. Pexels
Pexels is a free stock photo website that allows users to browse and download high-quality images for personal and commercial use.
It was founded in 2014 and has since become a popular source of images for bloggers, small business owners, and designers.
One of the key features of Pexels is its large collection of photos, which are contributed by a community of photographers from around the world.
The website offers a variety of categories to choose from, including landscapes, animals, people, and more. In addition to traditional stock photos, Pexels also has a selection of illustrations and videos.
Pexels prides itself on offering high-quality images that are free to use without the need for attribution.
This makes it an appealing option for those who need images for their projects but don’t have the budget to purchase them from traditional stock photo agencies.
Overall, Pexels is a great resource for anyone in need of professional-quality images for their projects.
Its large collection and easy-to-use interface make it a go-to destination for many designers and creatives.
4. Freeimages
Freeimages.com is a website that offers a large collection of royalty-free stock images that can be used for personal or commercial purposes.
The website is owned by Getty Images and has a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily search for and download images.
One of the main features of Freeimages.com is that it offers a wide variety of images in different categories, including abstract, animals, architecture, business, education, food, health, holidays, technology, and many more.
The website also has a section dedicated to featured images, which showcases some of the best and most popular images available on the site.
In addition to its vast collection of images, Freeimages.com also offers a number of useful tools and resources for photographers and designers.
These include a blog with tips and tutorials on photography and design, as well as a forum where users can share their own experiences and ask for advice from other members of the community.
Overall, Freeimages.com is a valuable resource for anyone in need of high-quality stock images for their personal or professional projects.
5. Freepik
Freepik is a website that offers a wide variety of free and premium graphic design resources, including vectors, photos, and PSD files.
The company was founded in 2010 and has since become a popular destination for designers and other creative professionals looking for high-quality, royalty-free images and other design assets.
One of the key features of Freepik is its search function, which allows users to easily find the specific images or graphics they are looking for by using keywords or filters.
The website also offers a range of tutorials and guides to help users learn how to use the various design tools and resources available on the site.
Freepik operates on a freemium model, which means that while many of the resources on the site are available for free, users can choose to upgrade to a premium membership in order to access additional features and benefits.
Premium members have access to a larger selection of resources, including exclusive content and higher resolution images.
They also receive support from a dedicated customer service team.
Overall, Freepik is a valuable resource for anyone in need of high-quality, royalty-free images and other design assets.
Whether you are a professional designer or a casual user looking for inspiration, Freepik has something to offer.
6. Stocksnap.io
StockSnap.io is a website that offers a large collection of high-resolution, royalty-free stock photos.
The images on the site can be used for personal or commercial purposes, and new photos are added to the collection every week.
One of the benefits of using StockSnap.io is that all of the images are free to download and use, with no attribution required.
This makes it an attractive option for those who need high-quality images for their projects but don’t want to pay for them or go through the process of crediting the photographer.
In addition to the free images, StockSnap.io also offers a subscription service called StockSnap Pro, which gives users access to a larger collection of premium photos as well as additional features such as the ability to download multiple images at once and to use an API to access the images.
Overall, StockSnap.io is a useful resource for those in need of high-quality, royalty-free stock photos for their projects.
7. Pikwizard
Pikwizard is a website that provides access to a collection of royalty-free images.
These are images that are available for use without the need to pay royalties or license fees.
Typically, websites like Pikwizard will allow users to search for and download images to use in their own projects, such as websites, marketing materials, and social media posts.
Many royalty-free image websites offer both free and paid options, with the paid options often providing a larger selection of higher-quality images.
Some websites may also require users to credit the photographer or image source when using the images.
It is important to carefully read and understand the terms of use for any royalty-free image website before using the images to ensure that you are using them legally and in accordance with the website’s guidelines.
8. Burst by Shopify
Burst is a free stock photo website created by Shopify. It provides high-quality images that are free to use for commercial and personal purposes.
The website features a variety of categories, including business, food, technology, and more, making it easy to find the perfect image for your project.
All of the images on Burst are released under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, which means you can use them for any purpose without attribution.
In addition to providing free stock photos, Burst also offers a collection of premium images that are available for purchase.
These images are licensed for commercial use and are of a higher quality than the free images.
Overall, Burst is a great resource for finding high-quality, free images for your website or other projects.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or a designer, Burst has something for everyone.
9. Vecteezy
Vecteezy is a website that provides a wide range of vector graphics and illustrations for use in various creative projects.
The website offers a large library of high-quality vector images that can be downloaded and used for free under a Creative Commons license.
Vecteezy features a wide variety of vector graphics including icons, logos, patterns, backgrounds, and more.
The website is organized into different categories, making it easy to find the type of vector graphics you are looking for.
You can also use the search function to find specific graphics or illustrations.
One of the great features of Vecteezy is that it allows users to customize and edit the vector graphics to fit their specific needs.
You can use the website’s online editor to adjust the size, colour, and other properties of the vector graphics.
In addition to free vector graphics, Vecteezy also offers a premium subscription service that provides access to even more high-quality vector graphics and design elements.
The premium subscription also includes access to additional editing and customization tools.
Overall, Vecteezy is a great resource for anyone looking for high-quality vector graphics and illustrations for their creative projects.
The wide selection and customization options make it a valuable resource for designers, artists, and other creative professionals.
10. Picjumbo
Picjumbo is a free stock photo website that offers a wide range of high-quality images for personal and commercial use.
The website was created by designer and photographer Viktor Hanacek in 2013 and has since become a popular resource for bloggers, designers, and marketers.
One of the standout features of Picjumbo is the large selection of images available on the site.
The website features a wide range of categories, including animals, architecture, business, food, nature, people, and technology, among others.
This means that it is easy to find an image that fits the specific needs of your project.
In addition to the wide range of categories, Picjumbo also offers a number of different licenses for its images.
This means that you can choose the type of license that best suits your needs, whether it be for personal or commercial use.
Overall, Picjumbo is a great resource for high-quality, free stock images. If you are in need of images for your next project, it is definitely worth checking out.
11. Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a stock photography website that provides royalty-free images, photos, vectors, and illustrations to individuals and businesses.
It was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in New York City.
Users of Shutterstock can purchase a subscription plan or individual images on a pay-per-use basis.
The subscription plans allow users to download a certain number of images per month, while the pay-per-use option allows users to purchase a license for a single image.
Shutterstock has a large library of images, with over 300 million images and more than 20 million video clips available.
It also offers a number of tools and features to help users find the right images, including search functionality, categories, and collections.
In addition to its website, Shutterstock also has apps available for iOS and Android devices.
These apps allow users to search and download images on the go, making it easier to access the site’s library of images.
Overall, Shutterstock is a popular resource for those in need of high-quality images for use in marketing materials, websites, and other projects.
12. Getty Images
Getty Images is a stock photography company that provides licensed images, video, and music for commercial use.
The company was founded in 1995 and has since become one of the leading providers of stock media in the world.
Its website, gettyimages.com, allows users to search for and purchase stock photos, illustrations, and video clips for use in advertising, marketing, and other commercial projects.
The Getty Images website is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Users can search for images using keywords or browse through various categories such as “creative images,” “editorial images,” and “footage.”
Once users have found an image they are interested in, they can purchase it through the website and download it in a variety of sizes and formats.
In addition to stock photos and videos, the Getty Images website also offers a range of other services, including custom content creation and image research.
The company works with a network of photographers, illustrators, and videographers around the world, ensuring that its collection is diverse and up to date.
Overall, the Getty Images website is a valuable resource for businesses, advertisers, and other professionals looking for high-quality, licensed images and video content.
13. Depositphotos
Depositphotos is a stock photography website that offers a variety of royalty-free images, vectors, and videos for purchase and download.
The website was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
It offers a large selection of images and other media content, including photographs, illustrations, and video footage, that can be used for various purposes such as advertising, marketing, design, and personal projects.
One of the benefits of using Depositphotos is that it offers a wide range of pricing options for its content.
Customers can purchase single images or subscriptions that give them access to a certain number of downloads per month.
The website also offers discounts for bulk purchases and has a referral program that rewards users for referring other customers to the site.
In addition to its large selection of content, Depositphotos also offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily search for and purchase the images they need.
Customers can search for images using keywords, categories, or collections, and can also filter their results by colour, orientation, and other criteria.
The website also offers a preview feature that allows users to see a larger version of the image before they purchase it.
Overall, Depositphotos is a reliable and convenient source for royalty-free images and other media content.
It offers a wide range of pricing options and a user-friendly interface, making it an attractive option for individuals and businesses in need of high-quality images for their projects.
14. Eyeem
Eyeem is an online platform and community for photographers to share and sell their images. It was founded in 2011 and is based in Berlin, Germany.
The platform allows photographers to upload and showcase their work, and it also offers various tools and features for photographers to edit, organize, and sell their photos.
Eyeem partners with various companies and organizations to offer licensing options for its users’ photos.
Photographers can choose to license their photos through Eyeem or they can link their own accounts with stock photo agencies such as Getty Images and Alamy.
In addition to being a platform for photographers to share and sell their work, Eyeem also has a strong focus on community.
It has a number of features that allow photographers to connect with each other and collaborate on projects.
The platform also hosts regular photo contests and events, providing opportunities for photographers to have their work recognized and potentially earn additional exposure.
Overall, Eyeem is a valuable resource for photographers looking to showcase and sell their work online, as well as for those looking to connect with other photographers and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.
Conclusion
So, these are the best royalty-free image websites where you can get photos for your blogs and articles.
Most of the sites offer only licensed images, while others offer free public domain images as well.
You need to check the terms of the license before you make the payment. Also, go for unique images.
My favourite and best free image websites are Pixabay and Unsplash.
What is yours? Let me know in the comments section.
People also search for: