When building a website, the images you use can make or break your online presence. Whether you're a small business owner, a freelance designer, or a marketing professional, the right images can elevate your brand and effectively engage your audience.
Click here to discover amazing stock photos for websites
It is also essential to understand the difference between royalty-free images and free images. While free photos are enticing, especially for those on a budget, royalty-free images offer significant advantages that can save you time and potential legal issues, especially when your website has a commercial purpose.
This article explores the best options for sourcing high-quality stock photos for website use that will make your web pages shine and explains why opting for royalty-free licenses can be more beneficial for your web projects.
Top Royalty-Free Stock Photo Services
| Website | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Stockphotos.com | Royalty-Free | Unlimited downloads, low pricing, bonus features. |
| Shutterstock | Royalty-Free | Extensive library, subscription options, and high-quality images. |
| iStock | Royalty-Free | Flexible pricing plans and a vast selection of unique visuals. |
| Adobe Stock | Royalty-Free | Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud applications. |
For those seeking high-quality photos and more exclusive images, plus peace of mind when using the visuals commercially, royalty-free stock photo sites are the way to go. These services are paid but insanely low priced and offer great value for the cost. These are the best stock photo resources and platforms for website use:
#1. The Best Option: Stockphotos.com Club Unlimited
Why is Club Unlimited the best choice for your website:
- Unlimited downloads for a year for only $99.90
- Royalty-free license for worry-free commercial use
- Over 10 million photos, vectors, and videos
- High-quality images up to XXL size
- Bonuses:
- Unlimited free background removals
- 20 free Magic AI Edits (face expression, object removal)
- 20 free video downloads
- 10 free image upscales with Upscaler
While all the below-listed options are great, there's one standout choice for website stock photos that offers unbeatable value: Stockphotos.com Club Unlimited, offered by Stockphotos.com, a stock photo service built and run by industry veterans and tailored for creatives and companies on tight budgets.
With Club Unlimited, you pay $99.90 just once and get all of the details above for a whole year. It’s the perfect solution for small and medium businesses that want premium images without straining their budget.
Additionally, you can hire Club Unlimited for one month for $19.90 (the monthly option has fewer bonus services).
#2. Shutterstock – Colossal Library of Commercial Images
Why Choose Shutterstock?
- Extensive Library: Over 450 million high-quality pictures.
- Professional Quality: Content reviewed for technical quality and strong commercial value
- Flexible Pricing Plans: Various subscription options and on-demand purchasing.
- Royalty-Free Licensing: One-time payment for lifetime use across multiple platforms.
Shutterstock is a top choice for web designers and marketers due to its vast collection and high standards. The royalty-free license ensures you can use the photographs on your web page without worrying about additional costs or restrictions. Subscriptions start at $29/month for 10 image downloads, but the per-image price drops to as low as $0.26 with the largest plan. If you wish, you can buy on-demand via image packs.
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#3. iStock – Exclusive and Budget-Friendly Pictures
Why Choose iStock?
- Affordable Options: Various pricing plans to suit different budgets.
- Unique Content: Exclusive images not found elsewhere.
- Royalty-Free Flexibility: Use visuals indefinitely without additional fees.
- Professional Standards: High-quality, vetted content.
iStock is favored for its balance of affordability and quality. Their offer splits into everyday, budget-friendly content and exclusive, high-value imagery. The royalty-free license ensures you won’t face ongoing costs, providing peace of mind for long-term web use. Subscription plans for budget-friendly downloads start at $29 per month for ten photographs; plans with full access to both exclusive and budget collections start at $70 for ten downloads. The lowest per-image prices are $0.22 and $0.44, respectively. On-demand buying with credits is also available.
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#4. Adobe Stock – Seamless Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
Why Choose Adobe Stock?
- Creative Cloud Integration: Seamlessly works with Adobe software.
- Pro Creative Oriented: A catalog prioritizing professional and trendy content.
- Flexible Licensing Options: Standard and extended royalty-free licenses.
- Multimedia Subscriptions: Plans allow you to download images and videos.
Adobe Stock’s integration with Creative Cloud applications makes it highly convenient for designers, but the artsy and super-current nature of its catalog makes it attractive for anyone creating websites. The royalty-free license allows extensive use, making it ideal for web projects. Subscriptions for pictures start at $29.99/mo for ten photos or one video. On-demand purchase is done via credit packs.
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Free Stock Photo Resources
For those on a tight budget, free stock photo sites appear as an attractive offer that promises to solve their need for imagery without involving monetary costs.
While this promise is fulfilled on the surface, it’s worth knowing that the image quality and variety aren’t comparable to those of premium services. These pictures are often overused across the web, and perhaps more importantly, the license coverage and legal safety are nowhere near that of royalty-free photos.
However, there are a number of free stock image websites that are more serious and, therefore, more reliable than the rest. Here they are:
Unsplash
Why?
- Completely Free: All assets are available to download and use at no cost.
- High-Quality Photos: Over 1.5 million high-quality, Instagram-worthy images for free commercial use.
- Simple Attribution: While not required, crediting the photographer is encouraged.
Unsplash offers beautiful free pictures donated by artists and has very few requirements to use them—mainly just to credit the site and author—and the invaluable veil of trustworthiness given by its parent company, Getty Images (one of the most prestigious stock photography companies in the world); still, the lack of a formal license and vetting process can lead to uncertainties in commercial use. Users should ensure that the files are genuinely free of restrictions.
Pexels
Why?
- Free Downloads: High-quality imagery available at no cost.
- User-Friendly: Easy to search and download.
- Generous Licensing: Free to use for personal and commercial purposes without attribution.
Pexels is another excellent source for free, trendy images. Its legal status is increased by being owned by Canva, an all-in-one design platform with a built-in stock image library. However, similar to Unsplash, users should be aware of potential issues when using its content for commercial web projects, as most of it is not verified. Equally important, Pexels has a series of limitations of use to observe, including sensitive use for people photos.
Pixabay
Why?
- Free Stock Imagery: All files are free to download and use
- Robust Library: 4.9 Million+ photos in a wide range of topics and styles
- Simple Licensing: No attribution required
Pixabay offers a very large database of free images, videos, and illustrations. It is particularly useful for business and marketing purposes. And just like Pexels, it’s owned by Canva which lends its trustworthy stamp. The license enables free use with no need to credit the site or artist; however, whether an image can be used commercially or not is left to your discretion –verifying if there are trademarks, logos, or other elements in the image that would deem it unfit for commercial uses– and there are some other restrictions to how you can use the photos.
The Benefits of Royalty-Free Images Over Free Images
While no-cost imagery can sometimes be a great resource, when it comes to legal considerations and methods for obtaining stock photos, royalty-free pictures undoubtedly provide more advantages, especially for commercial use. Here are some key benefits:
1. Legal Security: Royalty-free media is backed up by serious companies that vet all files for legal validity and ensure copyright clearance and fair compensation to the artists.
2. Comprehensive Usage Rights: Royalty-free licenses typically allow extensive commercial use across various mediums without additional fees.
3. Quality Assurance: Paid stock photo sites maintain high standards, ensuring you get professional, high-resolution assets that will lend their quality to your website and brand.
4. Exclusive Content: Royalty-free visuals are more unique and less widely used than their free counterparts, helping your website stand out.
Best Practices for Using Stock Photos on Your Website
To make the most of your stock photos, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose images that align with your brand identity
- Edit visuals for a professional and unique look
- Optimize photos for web performance
- Avoid overused or cliché stock images
- Combine stock photos with original photography
- Always respect licensing terms and attribution requirements
Elevate Your Website with the Right Stock Photos
Choosing the right stock photo agency depends on your specific needs. Free stock photo sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay are acceptable solutions for personal projects and small-scale commercial use.
However, for more extensive and legally protected commercial projects, investing in royalty-free licenses is advisable. These premium sites provide higher-quality, more unique, and legally safe resources that can enhance your web page and protect your business from potential legal issues.
For the best value and flexibility, Stockphotos.com Club Unlimited stands out as the top choice for small and medium businesses.
By investing in quality visuals and following best practices for implementation, you'll create a visually stunning website that captures your audience's attention and reinforces your brand identity. Remember to check out all the pricing options and start transforming your website today with professional stock photos that truly make an impact.
For more information on stock photo licensing and usage, be sure to read this guide on Image Licensing Explained.
Happy image hunting, and here's to creating a visually captivating website that stands out from the crowd!
- Ivy Attie
- AUTHOR
I am a content manager, researcher, and author for several digital publications by Stock Photo Press, including the Stockphotos.com blog, Stockphotosecrets.com, and Aisecrets.com. My dedication to the world of stock media, combined with a passion for visual imagery and an insatiable curiosity, drives me to explore and share the latest insights on image licensing, stock photography trends, and the emerging visual AI industry. With a background in communication and journalism, I've had the privilege of working alongside seasoned experts, gaining valuable experience that I now pass on to the creative community.
