Save Money, Get Creative: Free Commercial-Use Image Sites

Did you know that some of the world’s most iconic advertisements use stock images for commercial use? For example, AlamapBBDO, a Brazilian ad agency, used stock photos from Getty Images to create their Endless Possibilities campaign in 2016. The advertising campaign combined photos of random people’s faces to recreate portraits of famous people such as the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis.

Most creative agencies prefer altering stock images in most of their work. This is because it allows them to create campaigns for different companies much faster at affordable costs. Keep reading to find out how to get free images for commercial use in your next project.

Part 1: Download images in loyalty-free sites

Several sites offer free images for commercial use as part of their services. In addition, you do not need to register an account to download the images. The sites typically rely on user contributions and content teams to ensure their databases are fresh and maintain consistent quality. Furthermore, all creative assets they offer fall under the creative commons zero license or a variation of it. Here are some of the sites that offer you images for commercial use for free.

1. Pexels

Pexels.com is a free-to-use provider of high-resolution photos and videos for aspiring creators. The German-based website was started in 2014 by two brothers and has been under the Canva umbrella since 2018.

Currently, the website hosts over 3.2 million images and videos from over 250,000 active contributors. In addition, all the material you find in its library is under the Pexels license, which slightly varies from the creative commons zero license model. Some of the restrictions it enforces include:

You can only use pexels images for commercial use after making alterations to the original image. For example, you can use part of an image to create a collage for your commercial branding.
Furthermore, you cannot use any of the website’s content to promote political ideologies and explicit content, especially if the images contain identifiable subjects.

Pexels is available through the following channels:

Your web browser by typing the URL pexels.com.
The Android and iOS app.
A plugin for other content creation software such as Google Slides and MS Office.
An extension on your Chrome browser.
You can also access the database using the official Canva app.

2. Unsplash

Another website that offers free images for commercial use is Unsplash, a subsidiary of Getty Images since 2021. The website is a favorite among creators boasting over 16 billion photo impressions monthly. In addition, the database consists of over 3.48 million photos from more than 265,000 unique contributors, all under the Unsplash license.

The Unsplash license restricts the sale of its creative assets without incorporating new creative elements, including using them in print media and physical goods such as mugs and caps.

You can access Unsplash from your web browser or request API integration for your application from the site’s owners. In addition, the site also hosts photo walks across different cities, where Unsplash guides show you the best photo locations around the city and the best camera techniques for your work. Some cities to host the event include Boston, Montreal, Tokyo, and Toronto.

3. Freerange

Freerange Stock is an online resource for photos, illustrations, and textures you can download and use for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Since 2007, the site has continued to provide high-quality images to its community of over 800,000 registered users.

Unlike the previous examples, all content on Freerange falls under the website’s Equalicense. It grants you broad commercial rights of its stock images while allowing the contributors to retain control of their copyright, image resale, and distribution. As such, you cannot use the images for bulk distribution or print-on-demand works.

Freerange Stock maintains its steady supply of images for commercial use via the following methods:

It has an in-house team of professional photographers who upload images across the different categories on the website.
Freerange Stock also purchases image rights or directly commissions photos from independent creators.
You can also contribute to the website’s library by voluntarily submitting your work to the platform. Kindly note that you will need a verified account to enable this function.
The website also works directly with photographers through a licensing and distribution model, providing them extra exposure on the site.
Finally, Freerange stock aggregates public domain images from other sources, including similar sites and government institutions. It does so by acknowledging the image owner and sometimes lists the image source when the owner is unknown.

Freerange Stock is accessible through your web browser or as an API integration on your app.

4. Vecteezy

Vecteezy is an extensive online library of free stock images for commercial use. Some of the site’s highlight features include the following:

A best-in-class search engine that incorporates multiple filters to ensure your results are extremely accurate. For example, you can sort images by color, style, number of people, and age of the subjects, something other free stock websites do not provide.
All images, videos, and vector illustrations are free for personal and commercial uses. It does so through a property sign and release model with its extensive network of contributors, which protects users from any legal liabilities.
Finally, it employs a content team that manually reviews each photo submission to ensure consistent quality standards for its offerings.

In addition, you can also purchase design resource bundles by subscribing to its Vecteezy pro for as little as $9 monthly. Some of the resources available include the Ultimate Text Effects Layer Styles Bundle for Photoshop, which costs $39 stand-alone or $4.50 when you subscribe to pro.

Part 2: Buy from stock providers

Another way to get images for commercial use is by buying them from stock providers. Some of the benefits of buying images from stock providers include:

You get a wide selection of unique photos from top-tier photographers. Stock providers always seek collaborations with the industry’s finest to edge out the competition.
You receive exemplary customer service with your purchase. Selecting the right image can be confusing for amateur creators. As such, stock image providers have customer support channels to help you throughout your creative process.
Stock images reduce your delivery times significantly. Buying images from a stock provider eliminates the need to invest in photography equipment and the time you need for post-production. As such, you can deliver projects in a fast and cost-effective way.

Despite the above positive, here are some challenges that buying stock images may present:

Not all stock image providers will have the creative assets you need.
Image overuse is likely since every creator will rush for the most popular contributor.

Below are some of the stock image providers you should consider.

1. iStock

iStockphoto.com is an online database of creative resources, including royalty-free photos, videos, audio, illustrations, and clip art you can use in your creations. The website is a Getty Images subsidiary based in Calgary, Canada. In addition, contributors earn royalties depending on how often users download their content.

2. Alamy.com

Alamy.com is a British-owned stock image provider with contributions from photographers and agencies in 173 countries. It compensates its contributors by offering higher than average payouts every time users download their creations. Some popular brands to use Alamy’s services include M&C Saatchi, Microsoft, and The Economist.

Part 3: Shot a Photo by yourself or create one with editing tools

Alternatively, you can get images for commercial use by shooting them yourself or creating them with editing tools such as Figma and Wondershare’s Filmstock. Here are some benefits of using this method:

You get exactly what you want, provided you have the required skills and equipment. Sometimes, getting the right image for your commercial purpose can be challenging. As such, shooting an original photo may be the only option.
You have full ownership of the image.

Unlike obtaining images from stock photography websites, you are free to use the image in whatever capacity you please without any restrictions. For example, sites such as Unsplash do not allow you to use their images in political statements, a restriction you can bypass when using your own creations.

However, you should also consider the following factors when using this method.

It requires a substantial investment

Getting high-quality images for commercial purposes requires specialist equipment. For example, the Panasonic LUMIX GH6 camera, which has 4K resolution capability, costs $2,197 on Amazon. This makes it extremely expensive for amateur creators.

There is a steep learning curve

Becoming a professional photographer takes time and effort. Unless you are creating as a hobby, it will be a while before you can start generating income from your creations.

Part 4: FAQs

1. Do you need a contributor account to get images for commercial use?

Not necessarily. Stock image sites like pexels.com allow you to download images from their website without creating an account. You will only need one if you want to showcase your work on the platform.

2. Can you use your smartphone to get images for commercial use?

Yes. Most stock image providers have device-specific apps that allow you to access their databases from your mobile device. For example, UnsplashPhotoPicker allows you access to the Unsplash library from your Android device.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Best Intro Creator Software for PC : Online and Offline Options

Top 10 Intro Makers for PC in 2024 [Online and Offline]

Liza Brown

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

Whenever you create a video to convey a story, or for business, retirement, movie, and more, the first thing you concentrate on would be the intro. Here we provide you with the ten best intro maker app for PC, and in addition, we have given you few tips to create an eye-catching intro.

Part 1: 4 Best Intro Makers for PC [Offline]
Part 2: Top 6 Online Intro Makers
Part 3: How Can I Make an Intro on My Computer?
Part 4: Tips for Making an Eye-Catching Intro

Part 1: 4 Best Intro Makers for PC [Offline]

1. Filmora and its Template Mode

Filmora is one of the best intro makers download for PC as it simplifies the advanced features to save your time and effort. It offers a template mode from where you could select the perfect template outline and edit a video using options like change background, split-screen the video, and add- transitions, filters, motion elements, and titles found exclusively in Filmora Template Mode.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Free Download

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Features:

It supports custom animation, motion tracking, and audio ducking.
This tool allows faster editing of the video using hotkey commands.
It has a speed control option along with a color grading feature.

Pros:

Add effects and filters to the video at ease with Filmora.
Plenty of presets and add-on filters are available.

Cons:

The free trial version keeps watermarks on the created video.

2. Movavi

Movavi is an intro maker free download for PC, a perfect tool to create an intro video using your creative ideas. It has a simple interface with intuitive control to make fun, professional videos. You could get titles, transitions, stickers, and more created by professional designers in the effects store. The footage thus produced will be processed and rendered at high speed.

Features:

It offers special effects, animations, and ready-made intros.
It supports chroma key, stabilize, and stylize options.
It allows inserting a picture in a picture and voiceover.

Pros:

It takes only 20 minutes to create a video.
The refined user interface is easy to use.

Cons:

Bit slow when working on heavy files.

3. Light works

This intro maker download for PC comes with a powerful timeline wherein you could drag and drop the images or videos needed to support all files no matter what format it is in. It also allows you to share your work with your partner with selective access. You could find more options under editing, effects, color, and audio.

Features:

It supports texts, transitions, titles, and preset effects.
It allows adjusting color, balance, brightness, and tones.
It permits browsing, play, edit, and mix audio.

Pros:

Flexible editor with customization options.
Free access to royalty-free video and audio.

Cons:

The free version has few defects when using.

4. Blender

This software is a perfect choice for professionals as it has different inbuilt features which support modeling, VFX, animation, 2D, and 3D. Thus, this intro maker free download for PC will help you to create a perfect intro video. With this tool, you could adjust layouts, colors, texts, and fonts used in the video and adjust the size of the video.

Features:

It supports sound synchronization during animation.
It allows combining 2D with 3D in the viewport.
It permits audio mixing, scrubbing, and syncing.

Pros:

Video editing and composition are smooth.
Film animation is possible using Blender.

Cons:

It is not easy to use.

Part 2: Top 6 Online Intro Makers

1. Panzoid

Panzoid is an online intro maker for PC.So you don’t require space for installing the application but need only the space for downloading the created video using the available options. It offers three tools, namely, clip maker, backgrounder, and video editor.

Features:

It offers 3D video editing and audio tools.
It has its own media library with text overlay.
It permits to perform split and merge video.

Pros:

Panzoid helps you to create a 3D intro video.
Free unique templates are available for digital arts.

Cons:

It isn’t easy to operate and use the software.

2. IntroCave

This best intro maker app for PC is an online application to create an intro video for your YouTube channel. It offers multiple templates to choose from, which forms the base for creating video. Create HD quality video using customizing options like logo, background image, title, subtitle, and color.

Features:

It allows creating intro videos, outros, and logos.
It supports animations like simple fade effects.
It combines text and logos in the templates chosen.

Pros:

Introcave is easy to use with good templates.
Add external audio files in the intro.

Cons:

It needs paid version for high-quality video.

3. Offeo

This intro maker for PC online has unlimited assets of templates to create a video. Offeo platform is useful to create stunning and professional videos for all occasions by animating the text inserted and adding transitions to the images and video clips chosen.

Features:

It allows you to animate the contents with one click.
It supports removing the image background.
It has more than 3000 customized templates.

Pros:

Time-saving and simple to use.
This online platform is cloud-based.

Cons:

The maximum time limit for the video created is 3 minutes.

4. MotionDen

MotionDen has a collection of studio-quality designed intro templates to choose from in the library. Once the template is selected, you could preview the template, displaying the number of images and texts needed to use the template. This best intro maker app for PC can also be excellent to create the best outros.

Features:

It offers high-quality animation and the best effects for video.
You could create customized and animated video content.
It permits you to add texts, colors, and music to your intro.

Pros:

Videos can be created and downloaded for free.
It has 27 different categories of templates.

Cons:

You cannot start to create videos from scratch.

5. Tube Arsenal

This online tool provides customizable templates for YouTubers, filmmakers, video editors, and gamers. The templates displayed are of top quality. You could also use it to create a custom intro, logo animation, lower thirds, and outro. When choosing the templates, you could filter to find the perfect one.

Features:

It offers an unlimited download of templates.
It doesn’t require any plugins to create a video.
To use this platform, you needn’t require After Effects.

Pros:

You don’t want an account to get started.
Both 2D and 3D effects are supported.

Cons:

You need to pay to download the video created.

6. Placeit

Placeit has thousands of ready-to-use templates to create an intro maker for PC. Also, other than intros, it has premade templates made for mockups, designs, logos, videos, and gaming. It comes with tools like image cropper, video cropper, and video to GIF converter.

Features:

Placeit has more than 51100 templates.
This platform has a drag and drop interface.
You could subscribe for unlimited downloads.

Pros:

You can find high-resolution templates.
The search option is made convenient.

Cons:

You cannot upload custom fonts.

Part 3: How Can I Make an Intro on My Computer?

Here we will give you the guide to creating an intro using Filmora intro maker for PC.

Step 1: Select template

Open the application, and from the various templates available, choose the template you need and click on it to watch the preview.

Step 2: Import video clips

Now, import the media files like images or videos by clicking on the Import file option.

Step 3: Export

Once the images and videos are chosen, click on the Auto-create option to create the video. Preview the video and click on Export to download.

Part 4: Tips for Making an Eye-Catching Intro

In addition, here we give you tips to produce an eye-catching intro.

Tip 1: Try to keep the opening short. Let it not exceed more than 15 seconds.

Tip 2: Don’t forget to introduce the logo of your company or channel.

Tip 3: Give a presentable title so that the viewers will know the video.

Tip 4: Choose the best opener template from the intro maker chosen.

Tip 5: Animate the text used in the intro to make it more attractive.

Conclusion

Thus, the above article explained in detail intro maker free downloads for PC and the online tools to create an intro video. Now, try and make the best intro for videos using the tips and the software discussed.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Secure Download

Free Download

For macOS 10.12 or later

Secure Download

Liza Brown

Liza Brown is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Liza Brown