Free Stock Footage: Best Sites for Creators 2025

Quality Stock Footage Without the Budget

Professional video production often requires footage you can't shoot yourself—aerial views, distant locations, specialized equipment, or simply time constraints. Stock footage fills these gaps.

The good news: quality free stock footage exists. The challenge: finding it among inconsistent quality and confusing licenses.

This guide curates the best free stock footage sites, explaining what you can actually use and how to use it properly.

Quick Reference: Best Free Stock Footage Sites

Understanding Stock Footage Licenses

Before using any footage, understand the license:

Royalty-Free

You pay once (or nothing for free), use multiple times without per-use fees. Doesn't mean free—means no ongoing royalties.

Creative Commons Zero (CC0)

No restrictions. Use for anything, modify freely, no attribution required. The most permissive license.

Attribution Required

Free to use, but must credit the creator. Check specific requirements—some need hyperlinks, others just text credit.

Editorial Use Only

Can use in news, documentaries, educational content. Cannot use commercially or in advertising.

Commercial vs. Personal

Some licenses restrict commercial use. If you're making money (ads, client work, monetized content), verify commercial rights.

Top Free Stock Footage Sites

Pexels

Why Pexels Stands Out:

Pexels offers consistently high-quality footage with a simple, permissive license.

Pexels License:

• Free for commercial and personal use
• No attribution required (but appreciated)
• Can modify and adapt
• Cannot sell unmodified footage
• Cannot imply endorsement

Content Highlights:

• 4K resolution available
• Diverse contributors worldwide
• Regular fresh uploads
• Good search and categories
• Mobile app available

Best For: General commercial use, marketing content, presentations.

Pixabay

The Volume Champion:

Pixabay has one of the largest free libraries, though quality varies more than curated sites.

Pixabay License:

• Free for commercial and personal use
• No attribution required
• Can modify freely
• Some restrictions on specific uses

What to Expect:

• Massive library (millions of assets)
• Quality ranges from amateur to professional
• Includes photos, vectors, illustrations too
• Community-driven uploads
• Some sponsored/premium content mixed in

Best For: Finding specific subjects, variety needs, personal projects where quality tolerance exists.

Coverr

Website-Focused Quality:

Coverr specializes in footage that works for website backgrounds and digital design.

License:

• Completely free
• No attribution required
• Commercial use allowed
• Can modify and redistribute

Content Characteristics:

• Atmospheric, ambient footage
• Works well looped
• Designed for digital backgrounds
• Weekly new additions
• Curated quality

Best For: Website backgrounds, app design, ambient video needs.

Mixkit

Professional Production Quality:

Mixkit (by Envato) offers curated, professional-grade footage for free.

License:

• Free for commercial and personal use
• No attribution required
• Can modify
• Clear terms for specific uses

Quality Highlights:

• Professionally produced content
• Cinematic quality
• 4K available
• Regular new additions
• Also offers music and sound effects

Best For: Professional productions, client work, high-quality requirements.

Videvo

Large Library with Options:

Videvo offers both free and premium content, with a substantial free collection.

Free Content License (varies):

• Some completely free
• Some require attribution
• Check individual clip licenses

Library Features:

• Large free selection
• Premium content available
• Motion graphics included
• Sound effects library
• Various resolutions

Best For: Finding specific footage, mixed budget projects.

Life of Vids

Artistic Focus:

Life of Vids offers weekly curated footage with artistic quality.

License:

• CC0 public domain
• No restrictions
• Attribution appreciated but not required

Content Style:

• Artistic, cinematic clips
• Weekly new releases
• Consistent quality
• Limited but curated selection

Best For: Creative projects, artistic needs, consistent aesthetic.

Dareful

High-End Free Footage:

Dareful provides premium-quality footage completely free.

License:

• Free for all uses
• No attribution required
• Commercial use allowed

Quality:

• 4K resolution
• Professional production
• Smaller but quality library
• Drone footage included

Best For: Premium projects needing specific high-quality clips.

Using Stock Footage Effectively

Finding the Right Clips

Search Strategies:

1. Use multiple sites (libraries differ)
2. Try synonym keywords
3. Browse categories, not just search
4. Filter by resolution and license
5. Preview before downloading

Maintaining Quality

Technical Considerations:

1. Download highest available resolution
2. Match footage to your project settings
3. Consider color grading to match your content
4. Check audio (often needs replacing)

Legal Protection

Best Practices:

1. Verify license before use
2. Screenshot license terms when downloading
3. Document source for each clip used
4. Avoid identifiable people without model releases
5. Check trademark/logo visibility

When Free Stock Isn't Enough

Free stock footage works for many projects, but some situations require paid options:

Specific Subjects

Niche topics may not have quality free options. Paid libraries offer deeper catalogs.

Exclusivity Concerns

Free footage appears in many videos. Paid exclusive licenses prevent duplication.

Model Releases

Free footage rarely includes model releases. Commercial use with identifiable people may require paid licensed content.

Volume Needs

Projects requiring dozens of clips benefit from paid subscriptions with unlimited downloads.

Paid Alternatives Worth Knowing

When free doesn't suffice:

• Envato Elements ($16.50/month): Unlimited downloads from large library
• Artgrid ($25/month): Cinematic quality, filmmaker-focused
• Storyblocks ($15/month): Unlimited downloads, good variety
• Shutterstock (per clip or subscription): Massive library, premium quality

Combining Stock with Original Content

Screen Recordings and Stock

For tutorials and demos, combine:

• VibrantSnap screen recordings for your content
• Stock footage for context/transitions
• The result: professional production without shooting everything

Integration Best Practices

1. Color match stock to your content
2. Maintain consistent quality throughout
3. Use stock for context, not core message
4. Transition smoothly between original and stock

Conclusion: Smart Stock Usage

Free stock footage has reached quality levels that serve professional productions. Sites like Pexels, Mixkit, and Coverr offer genuinely usable content without cost.

The key is understanding licenses, maintaining quality standards, and using stock strategically—not as a crutch, but as a production tool that expands what's possible.

For screen-based content, VibrantSnap creates the original footage that stock can't replace. Combine professional screen recordings with strategic stock usage for complete, polished productions.

Ready to enhance your video projects? Bookmark these free stock sites, use VibrantSnap for screen recordings, and create professional content without breaking the budget.

Great video production uses every resource wisely—free stock footage included.