2016 was the year of introducing video into your marketing mix. In 2020 video tops all other types of communication for engagement so whether your focus is intro and outro’s, educations or memes, you can totally pimp the look and feel of your posts by adding video and audio. Let’s face it – resources like this can be pretty expensive so we’ve compiled a list of our fave resources for freebies & cheapies.
Wherever you get your videos and audio, remember to check the copyright license before using them … CC0 is the most flexible license, but if you’re unsure of the license, my advice is just don’t use it.
If you’d rather be safe than sorry, there is a small list of paid video libraries at the bottom of the page.
little side note: this list of free stock libraries is a permanent work in progress, if you have a favorite free video and audio site, please let us know in the comments at the bottom of the post so we can add it.
attribution key:
⭐ no | ⭐⭐ sometimes (be sure to check) | ⭐⭐⭐ always
‘FREE’ STOCK LIBRARIES
all the free stock
⭐⭐All the Free Stock is a site where you can find all the sites that offers all things free – videos, photos, sound effects, etc. Free video sites include platforms such as Coverr, Pexels Video, Vidsplay and Clipcanvas.
beachfront b-roll
⭐Download unique HD stock video footage and animated backgrounds in Beachfront B-roll. These videos can be used for any production purposes … all for free.
clip canvas
⭐Clip Canvas is a curated library of production-quality stock videos, backgrounds and after-effect templates. The site contains a collection of free clips as well as HD and 4K clips you can buy for a fee of € 59.
stock video libraries: cute stock footage
⭐ Cute Stock Footage is a source of quality HD footages for free.
stock video libraries: distill
⭐ Distill is a curated stock video platform which offers free high-quality videos and clips that you can use for personal, professional and commercial use as it is under Creative Commons License Zero. The site also offers 10 free HD videos every 10 days.
dvids
⭐ Dvids is a collection of everything military – photos, videos, podcasts, etc. Dvids is a 24/7 operation owned by Defense Media Activity. One has to register to be able to download the media available.
stock video libraries: envato
CHEAPIES: Very affordable collection of over 163,000 royalty free videos can be found at the Envato marketplace (Video Hive), priced from $8.
flickr
⭐⭐Flickr is not just for photos but videos as well. You can choose videos with any kind of license – for commercial use to no known copyright restrictions.
footage crate
⭐ Power up your creative projects with Footage Crate. You can find great video effects for your movie in Footage Crate. Choose from categories like Magic, Muzzle Flashes, Fire and Explosion plus more.
You will need to register or sign in with Google + or Facebook to download.
free hd footage
⭐Use footages and videos any way you please with Free HD Footage. Choose from various categories – time lapses, nature, lens flare – among many others. It’s free … enjoy!
ignite motion
⭐Ignite Motion can be your go-to site if you need to download high-definition free motion backgrounds, for commercial or personal use.
internet archive
⭐ Internet Archive is a non-profit library that is is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form, and for free access to the general public.
The Archive has free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more.
life of vids
⭐ Free videos, clips and loops are available in Life of Vids. Videos can be downloaded via Vimeo in MP4 format.
mazwai
⭐⭐⭐ Mazwai contains a collection of HD videos that can be easily downloaded for personal and professional use. No registration or subscription needed. However, all videos are under the public domain or Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY 3.0) so the video author should always be credited.
nasa image and video library
⭐⭐⭐NASA Image and Video Library is the site you go to if you want to download images and videos of NASA’s space explorations, historic images, current missions, astronomy pictures.
motion backgrounds
⭐Motion Backgrounds is your headquarters for professional quality motion backgrounds and motion videos. Choose from hundreds of motion backgrounds 100% royalty-free.
motion elements
⭐Motion Elements is a compilation of royalty-free videos as well as after-effects templates and stock music. You can download all these elements for free and you can even use it for multiple projects.
movietools
⭐ Grab Royalty Free Motion Clips FREE, lower thirds and more. Here you can find all the tools for making better online-videos It’s a bit hard to navigate the site.
– licence information
orange hd
⭐Orange HD is a site that offers HD footages and videos for non-commercial purposes. Choose from categories such as Animals, Nature, People, Technology, Transportation videos. Download is for free.
pikwizard
⭐ Pikwizard is a free stock photo and video site for commercial and editorial use. Choose from a wide range of category – Abstract, Inspirational, Nature, High-resolution images.
– Standard User License Agreement
pixabay videos
⭐ Pixabay Videos has an extensive collection of royalty-free HD and 4K videos which can be downloaded and used commercially.
reddit footage
⭐⭐⭐ The objective of Reddit Footage is to post any uninterrupted video for anyone who needs it. This can be a source of popular media contents or links.
splashbase
⭐⭐⭐Splashbase is an index of different sources mostly of royalty-free images, but there is a handful of HD video sites as well.
stock footage archive.org
⭐⭐⭐Stock Footage Archive.Org is a collection of stock footage clips submitted by Internet Archive users.
stock footage for free
⭐ As per their website, Stock Footage for Free is dedicated to providing completely free stock footage and stock video from around the world. The HD footages with pixel size of 1920 x 1080 pixels (16:9) can be downloaded 100% royalty free ergo no charges.
The website is also a source for Royalty-Free Music.
– license
videvo
⭐ Videvo has over 2,000 completely free HD stock footage and motion graphics for any project.
vidsplay
⭐ Vidsplay provides free stock footage. You are granted non-exclusive rights to use and download video materials without the need to pay royalties for each use.
vimeo free hd stock footage
⭐Categorised alphabetically, duration, number of like, plays or comments, the videos in Vimeo Free HD Footage are brilliant and can be used for free; no registration needed. This Vimeo group was created by Phil Fried.
– copyright
youtube
⭐⭐⭐The ever-famous site YouTube can also be a source of free stock footages. Do the search and use the Filter option. Under ‘Features’ select Creative Commons. Easy!
PAID LIBRARIES
video blocks
Video Blocks has large collection of royalty free videos that are ideal for video backgrounds, spread across many categories, with prices starting at $49 and annual pricing plans available.
i stock photo
IStockPhoto has premium, high quality stock video, covering a range of categories. Buy credits or a monthly subscription
getty images
Download premium videos from Getty Images – from archival film to contemporary 4K and HD footage.
pond5
Pond5 offers a wide-array of royalty-free stock videos of different file formats – 4K, HD and 360.
dissolve
Dissolve license stock video clips for use in commercials, television shows, documentaries, and feature films. Site also contains stock photography.
storyblocks
Storyblocks is a paid stock media site. Storyblocks is your one-stop-shop for high quality stock media at a fraction of the cost.
