- Freepik alternatives side by side
- Ten free stock libraries to compare with Freepik
- Freepik alternatives and the licence question
- Getting more from a free Freepik alternative
- Product image rules if you sell online
- AI stock images versus photos
- Which Freepik alternative suits which use
- Keeping a simple image record
- My plain advice on replacing Freepik
- Frequently asked questions
A good Freepik alternative gives you images you can use with a clear licence, a decent search and no surprise attribution rules. Check whether a site uses CC0 or its own licence, what it says about commercial use and reselling, and whether people in photos have signed releases. This page lists ten options in no particular order, then covers licences.
Freepik's own website now carries a new name: it presents itself as Magnific, formerly Freepik, an AI creative platform with an image generator, editors and a large asset library. If you went looking for the stock site you remember and found an AI suite, you're not alone, and that change is why plenty of people are comparing options.
Below are ten Freepik alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, focused on free stock photos and graphics, mostly from smaller independent libraries. Each description comes from the site's own pages, re-checked today. For video rather than stills, my guide to finding free B-roll covers the moving-picture side.
Freepik alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the site's own pages say its images are free to download and use under its licence. Trial only means a free trial of a premium library with no ongoing free downloads. No means neither is stated. Licences differ, so read each one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burst | Free photo library | Product and small business photos | Yes |
| Creative Fabrica | Design asset library | Fonts, graphics and craft files | Trial only |
| Gratisography | Free photo library | Quirky, unusual photos | Yes |
| Kaboompics | Free photo library | Lifestyle and interior photos | Yes |
| Lummi | AI stock library | Free AI-made stock images | Yes |
| Negative Space | Free photo library | CC0 photos for any use | Yes |
| Picjumbo | Free photo library | Backgrounds and themed collections | Yes |
| Pikwizard | Free media library | Photos, videos and templates | Yes |
| Rawpixel | Mixed asset library | Public domain art and design assets | Yes |
| StockSnap | Free photo library | CC0 photos without attribution | Yes |
Ten free stock libraries to compare with Freepik
Burst
Best for: Shop owners who want free photos aimed at online businesses, from a well-known commerce company.
Creative Fabrica
Best for: Crafters and designers who want fonts and graphics under one subscription after a trial.
Gratisography
Best for: Brands who want playful, offbeat images that don't look like typical stock.
Kaboompics
Best for: Lifestyle brands who want calm, styled photos with colour palettes to match.
Lummi
Best for: Creators who want free AI-generated stock images and illustrations.
Negative Space
Best for: Owners who want photos released under CC0 for personal or commercial use.
Picjumbo
Best for: Bloggers who want free backgrounds and themed photo sets without watermarks.
Pikwizard
Best for: Marketers who want free photos plus video clips and templates in one place.
Rawpixel
Best for: Designers who want public domain images and illustrations alongside premium collections.
StockSnap
Best for: Anyone who wants high-quality photos with no attribution required.
Freepik alternatives and the licence question
Free doesn't always mean free for any use. Some libraries release images under CC0, which their own pages describe as free for personal and commercial use with no attribution required. Others use their own licence, which might allow commercial use but ban reselling the photo as a file or using it in a misleading way. A few invite credit even when it isn't required.
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- CC0 or own licence? Read which one applies to the image you want.
- Commercial use. Check whether ads, products and client work are allowed.
- Reselling. Most free licences ban selling the image on its own as a file.
- People and property. Ask whether recognisable people have signed releases.
- Trademarks. Logos and brands in a photo bring their own rules.
Getting more from a free Freepik alternative
- Search with specific words, such as a colour, place or mood.
- Follow photographers you like and check their new uploads.
- Crop and edit so the image feels yours.
- Keep a note of where each image came from and what its licence says, because you'll forget otherwise.
- Swap stock for your own photos wherever you can.
Product image rules if you sell online
If the images are for products, one rule matters more than any feature. Google's Merchant Center help says a product image must offer an unobstructed, clean view of the item for sale, and warns against images with promotional elements or overlays, such as added text or marketing callouts. Busy AI scenes can work brilliantly in social posts and ads, but keep a plain, clean version for listings where the rules are stricter.
AI stock images versus photos
Some libraries now offer AI-made stock. It can be useful for abstract ideas and backgrounds. For real people, places and products, a real photograph is usually more trustworthy, and some platforms ask you to label realistic AI images. Choose based on what the image needs to prove.
Which Freepik alternative suits which use
- Shops may want product-style photos aimed at online sellers.
- Lifestyle brands often like styled, calm photography.
- Designers may want illustrations, fonts and public domain art.
- Bloggers need quick, free images with simple licences.
Keeping a simple image record
A tiny spreadsheet saves headaches later. Note the image, the site, the date and the licence each time you download. If anyone ever questions an image, you'll have the answer in seconds. It also stops you using the same stock photo on every page, which visitors notice more than you'd think.
If you're building a bank of ready-made graphics, my done-for-you social media images are another way to fill your feed without hunting for stock each week.
Do you make a stock image library or design asset site? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on replacing Freepik
Pick two libraries with licences you understand and stick with them, keeping a simple record of what you download. And wherever you can, use your own photos, because customers trust real pictures of your work far more than any stock.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Freepik?
Its own website now presents it as Magnific, formerly Freepik, an AI creative platform with tools and an asset library.
What does CC0 mean?
Sites that use CC0 describe it as free for personal and commercial use with no attribution required. Always check the licence on the page you download from.
Can I use free stock photos in ads?
Often yes, but it depends on the licence. Check commercial use rules and any restrictions on people or brands in the image.
Do I need to credit the photographer?
Not always. Some licences don't require credit, while others ask for it. Read each site's licence.
Can I sell products with free stock images on them?
Many free licences ban reselling images as they are. Read the terms carefully before printing images on products.
Are AI stock images safe to use?
Check the library's licence and any platform labelling rules. For real people and products, photos are usually more trustworthy.
