Looking for a change from the repetitive featured images found in countless posts?

I’ve got you covered.

Unsplash still rocks

There’s nothing wrong with utilizing Unsplash, a fantastic site for copyright-free images, but it has become excessively utilized on Medium and elsewhere on the web.

If you’re seeking a fresh look, I have a few favorite alternatives to Unsplash, with one standing out as my current go-to, surpassing Unsplash overall.

#1 Pexels

Nothing new here. If you’re familiar with Unsplash, you know Pexels as well. It serves as a well-rounded alternative with an extensive library of stunning images.

However, Pexels suffers from the same issue as Unsplash — it’s heavily used on this platform and throughout the blogging community. Nevertheless, there are always new pictures available to enhance your next post.

#2 KaboomPics

Have you heard of KaboomPics?

Believe it or not, this site is managed by a single person named Karolina. KaboomPics offers breathtaking photography, although the library is considerably smaller than that of Unsplash or Pexels.

What I like about it is the direct support you provide to Karolina through her one-woman show. I highly recommend giving KaboomPics a look first.

#3 Reshot

Now, let’s talk about Reshot, another good site. In contrast to the aforementioned options, Reshot not only provides exceptional photography, but also offers SVG icons and vector illustrations — the kind of cartoonish-looking images that many people gravitate toward nowadays.

#4 Lexica

Lexica is an AI image creation site. And it’s free. If you’re keen on creating individual art pieces for each of your articles, this might be a way to go.

I like Lexica because it’s a good tool to try and play around with AI and images, the output is on the gimmicky side though. It won’t fit to every niche and topic.

#5 FreePik

And now, my personal favorite: FreePik. If I had to choose, FreePik takes the crown most of the time.

This site presents a wide range of stock photos, vector illustrations, and even PSD files (Photoshop Document), catering to writers and designers alike. The image selection is great, and the combination of vectors and photos helps you find the perfect fit quickly.

I find myself using FreePik for the majority of my stories these days. I strongly recommend exploring the site. Just keep in mind that FreePik has a download limit for non-account users. To continue downloading beyond the limit, you’ll need to create a FREE account. No worries — it’s quick and easy!

Sites I don’t like that much

Now, let’s touch upon a few stock photo sites that I don’t consider on the same level as the big players like Unsplash or Pexels.

Stocksnap.io, while not bad per se, has a smaller selection compared to the aforementioned alternatives. Additionally, I feel that the overall quality of their photography doesn’t quite measure up.

Another site, Isorepublic, offers stock photos that are decent, but they fall slightly short of the caliber found on Unsplash or Pexels.

Video content

If you’re in search of videos instead of or in addition to photos, Pixabay is always a reliable destination.

Pixabay offers an impressive array of photos, vectors, illustrations, videos, and even royalty-free music and sound effects — a perfect blend for YouTubers, video editors, or podcasters.

Pexels also provides video footage to its users, often tailored in a portrait format suitable for social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Snapchat.

Lastly, Videvo is another excellent stock video site that offers a diverse selection of beautiful footage across various sceneries.

Remember before you choose

Before utilizing files from any of these platforms, it’s important to note that many of them require proper source attribution in your projects. Some platforms offer premium accounts, allowing you to forego the need for attribution. Remember to check the licenses of each platform before using the files in your stories.