Free stock footage has come a long way. Today we can grab polished, royalty‑free video clips, free B‑roll, motion graphics, and video backgrounds without watermarks or attribution hassles—if we know where to look and what the license really allows. Below we share the best free stock video sites we rely on, how their licenses work, and the workflow we use to find the right shot fast while keeping projects legally clean and on-brand.
How we choose a free stock footage site
- License and usage rights: We confirm commercial use, redistribution rules, and whether attribution is required. “Royalty‑free” usually refers to paying once (or $0) and using multiple times; it doesn’t mean “no copyright.”
- Attribution and watermarks: Some sites require credit (e.g., CC BY, Videvo Attribution), others don’t. If we see “editorial use only,” we don’t use that clip for ads or promotional content.
- Sign‑up and download limits: A few platforms ask for an account or cap weekly free downloads. We balance speed with library size.
- Resolution and quality: We prefer libraries with HD, Full HD, and 4K options and clear clip info (fps, duration, aspect). We often download 4K even for 1080 timelines to allow reframing and stabilization without upscaling.
- Curation and niche coverage: Curated sites save time and keep aesthetics consistent (great for lifestyle/brand footage). Others excel at nature, business, technology, travel, or looping backgrounds.
- Practical safety: We avoid prominent logos/trademarks in branded content and favor clips marked “model released.” We also save a screenshot/PDF of each clip’s license page and URL for our records.
Quick picks by need
- No sign‑up, no attribution, no watermark: Mixkit, Pexels, Coverr, Life of Vids, Free Nature Stock
- Requires attribution on free clips: Videezy (Standard), Vidsplay, Mazwai (varies), many Videvo free clips
- Sign‑up required to download: Stock Footage for Free, Motion Elements (weekly quota)
- Curated/artist‑forward, cinematic look: Mazwai, Life of Vids, Coverr, Mixkit
- Nature specialist / guaranteed scenic 4K: Free Nature Stock, Dareful (CC BY 4.0, credit required)
- Motion graphics, loops, overlays: Videezy, Videvo
- Vertical clips for Reels/Shorts: Pexels (robust portrait library)
- Built‑in editor ecosystems: Canva (free stock videos in‑editor), Freepik (free stock videos plus backgrounds/motion graphics)
The best sites to find free stock videos (our detailed take)
Mixkit
URL: mixkit.co/videos/
- Why we rate it: Incredibly frictionless. No sign‑up, no attribution, no watermark. Genuinely free for commercial and non‑commercial use.
- Standouts: Modern, curated B‑roll across business, tech, fashion, travel, performing arts, and more; lots of HD and 4K.
- How we use it: When we need high‑quality clips fast with zero license overhead. Tip: the very top grid row can be sponsored—scroll to the free results.
Pexels
URL: pexels.com/videos/
- Why we rate it: Massive community library, no attribution required, options for HD/4K, and no account needed to download.
- Standouts: Filters for orientation (portrait/horizontal/square), hover previews, and an Info panel that often shows fps, duration, and aspect ratio.
- How we use it: Our everyday B‑roll workhorse—especially for vertical Reels/Shorts. We sometimes follow favorite contributors via a free account to keep track of styles we like.
Pixabay
URL: pixabay.com/videos/
- Why we rate it: Huge free library and familiar interface with quick resolution selection.
- License: Free for commercial/non‑commercial use under the Pixabay License; review clip and site rules.
- How we use it: Great as a general‑purpose fallback. We sort by “Newest” or filter by date to avoid dated footage; sometimes a free account prompt appears for higher‑res downloads.
Videezy
URL: videezy.com
- Why we rate it: Broad selection of free stock footage mixed with premium, including motion backgrounds and AE templates.
- License: Free (Standard) clips typically require attribution; premium (Pro credits) removes attribution. Always check the license per clip.
- How we use it: For motion graphics or niche looks when we’re fine crediting the creator—or when we decide a specific premium clip is worth it.
Videvo
URL: videvo.net
- Why we rate it: Quality mixes of footage, motion graphics, VFX elements, and SFX, plus granular filters.
- License: Varies (Videvo Attribution, CC BY, or Royalty‑Free). Many free clips require credit; premium tiers add broader rights.
- How we use it: We filter by license type, resolution (HD/4K), duration, and flags like “model released” or “editorial.” It’s our “strict filtering” pick when we need legal clarity.
Coverr
URL: coverr.co
- Why we rate it: Brand‑friendly, cinematic footage with coordinated sets that cut together beautifully.
- License: Free for commercial/non‑commercial use; no attribution required. Some 4K variants may be part of paid plans; check the clip page.
- How we use it: For lifestyle and people shots that feel “premium” without license friction. We avoid visible logos in promotional edits.
Life of Vids
URL: lifeofvids.com
- Why we rate it: Aesthetic, stylish SD/HD clips with no watermarks and no required attribution.
- Notes: Redistribution on other platforms is limited (e.g., 10 videos). Review terms.
- How we use it: When we want an artist‑driven look for intros, hero sections, or brand visuals.
Mazwai
URL: mazwai.com
- Why we rate it: Handpicked collection with a cinematic aesthetic.
- License: Either Mazwai License or CC BY—credit often required. Verify any included audio rights per clip.
- How we use it: For premium‑looking B‑roll when we’re comfortable adding attribution.
Vidsplay
URL: vidsplay.com
- Why we rate it: Straightforward HD library with new clips weekly.
- License: Commercial use allowed with attribution (site credit/link).
- How we use it: For budget projects where a discrete credit is fine.
URL: stockfootageforfree.com
- Why we rate it: HD downloads after free sign‑up; no watermark; commercial use allowed.
- How we use it: To build a personal library when creating an account isn’t an issue.
Free Nature Stock
URL: videos.freenaturestock.com
- Why we rate it: Niche powerhouse for outdoors, landscapes, and calming backgrounds.
- License: Free for commercial/non‑commercial use; credit not required (donations welcome).
- How we use it: Openers, meditative loops, or environmental B‑roll.
Motion Elements
URL: motionelements.com
- Why we rate it: Free high‑resolution stock videos on a weekly cadence.
- License: Free downloads for commercial use with an account; typical quota is 5/week, expandable via referrals.
- How we use it: Slow‑and‑steady library building when we can plan ahead.
Freepik (Videos)
URL: freepik.com/videos
- Why we rate it: Broad creative assets bundle—free stock videos, video backgrounds, motion graphics, and templates.
- License: Free assets often available for commercial use; some require attribution. Always check the item’s license terms.
- How we use it: Abstract loops, animated backgrounds, and on‑brand motion elements to complement live‑action B‑roll.
Canva (built‑in free stock videos)
URL: canva.com/features/free-stock-videos/
- Why we rate it: A large library directly inside a drag‑and‑drop editor for social content, intros, and marketing assets.
- License: Free assets in Canva are licensed for commercial use; no watermark on included free items. Verify terms for each asset.
- How we use it: Fast turnarounds where we build and export inside Canva without juggling external downloads.
Dareful
URL: dareful.com
- Why we rate it: Gorgeous scenic/city footage, all in 4K.
- License: Creative Commons BY 4.0—free to use commercially with attribution.
- How we use it: For guaranteed high‑impact landscapes and timelapses; we paste the exact CC BY credit into descriptions.
At‑a‑glance comparison
| Site | Commercial use | Attribution | Watermark | Sign‑up | HD/4K | Notes |
| Mixkit | Yes | No | No | No | HD/4K | Curated; quick downloads |
| Pexels | Yes | No (credit appreciated) | No | Optional | HD/4K | Great for portrait/vertical clips |
| Pixabay | Yes (license rules apply) | No | No | Sometimes for higher‑res | HD/4K | Massive library |
| Videezy | Yes | Usually yes for free | No on free | No | HD/4K | Premium removes attribution |
| Videvo | Yes (varies per clip) | Often yes for free | Some free options include it | No (premium available) | HD/4K | Excellent filters incl. license type |
| Coverr | Yes | No | No | No | FHD/4K (some paid) | Cinematic lifestyle sets |
| Life of Vids | Yes | No | No | No | SD/HD | Redistribution limits |
| Mazwai | Yes | Often required | No | No | HD/4K | Curated, cinematic |
| Vidsplay | Yes | Required | No | No | HD | Frequent updates |
| Stock Footage for Free | Yes | No | No | Required | HD | Unlimited after sign‑up |
| Free Nature Stock | Yes | No | No | No | HD/4K | Nature/outdoors specialist |
| Motion Elements | Yes | No | No | Required | HD/4K | 5 free/week (increase via referrals) |
| Freepik (Videos) | Yes | Sometimes | No | No | HD/4K | Motion graphics/background loops |
| Canva (in‑editor) | Yes (free assets) | No for included free assets | No | Required | HD/4K | Built‑in templates/editor |
| Dareful | Yes | Required (CC BY 4.0) | No | No | 4K | High‑end landscapes/city timelapses |
Practical licensing tips we follow
- Check every clip’s page: Policies and clip‑level terms change. We verify commercial use, attribution, and restrictions (editorial, re‑distribution, sensitive uses).
- Keep records: We save a screenshot or PDF of the license text and the clip URL for each project. It takes seconds and saves headaches later.
- Attribution template (when required): “Video: ‘Clip Title’ by Creator via Site — used under [License Name/Link].” We paste the exact credit line provided on the download page.
- Third‑party rights: Stock platform licenses don’t override trademarks, logos, or missing model/property releases. We avoid prominent brands in ads, and favor “model released” clips when faces are visible.
- No raw redistribution: We don’t repost or sell unmodified clips as our own library; most sites prohibit it.
Our workflow to find the right shot fast
- Build a shot list: 3–5 beats we need (e.g., “city sunrise,” “hands on keyboard,” “happy customer,” “wide drone of coast”).
- Search in tiers: Pexels → Mixkit → Coverr → Pixabay for speed and volume; then Videvo/Videezy filters or Dareful for scenic 4K if we’re stuck.
- Look for sets: Many libraries group multiple angles from the same shoot. Using a set makes edits feel cohesive.
- Match the timeline: We check fps (Pexels often shows this in Info). Matching 24/25/30 fps reduces motion anomalies; we conform only when needed.
- Download bigger: We grab 4K when possible even for 1080 delivery to allow reframing and stabilized crops.
- Maintain consistency: We color‑correct/grade clips to a common look, align frame rates, and add a touch of motion blur/film grain if needed.
- Organize assets: We name files with site + creator + topic + res/fps (e.g., “coverr_people_coffee_4k_24fps.mp4”) and keep a simple sheet of license/credits.
When we consider a paid upgrade
- Envato Elements: Unlimited downloads of footage, templates, music, SFX, graphics, and fonts under a straightforward commercial license—great if we need lots of assets across projects.
- Motion Array: High‑quality footage plus plugins, templates, audio, and review tools, with excellent Adobe integrations.
- Artlist (formerly Artgrid for footage): Top‑tier cinematic footage plus music/SFX; strong for film‑like projects.
- Storyblocks: Massive library, simple licensing, and a smooth plugin workflow for fast, unlimited pulls.
FAQs about free stock videos
What’s the difference between royalty‑free and copyright‑free?
“Royalty‑free” means you pay once (or $0) to license the asset and can reuse it under the license terms without ongoing per‑use fees. It doesn’t mean the clip has no copyright. “Copyright‑free” is rare and often misunderstood—always read the site’s license.
Can we use free stock videos on monetized YouTube channels?
Yes, if the license allows commercial use and you follow attribution rules where required. Avoid “editorial only” clips in sponsorships or ads. We keep license screenshots in case of disputes.
How do we credit creators properly?
Use the exact credit line on the clip page. A safe format is: “Stock footage: Clip Title by Creator (Site) — used under [License Name/Link].” Place it in the video description or end credits.
Do free clips have watermarks?
Many of the best sites here do not watermark free clips (Pexels, Mixkit, Coverr, Life of Vids, Free Nature Stock). Some platforms watermark certain free tiers or require attribution—check the clip page.
Where do we find vertical (9:16) free stock video?
Pexels has abundant portrait/vertical clips and simple orientation filters. Mixkit, Pixabay, and Videvo filters also help.
Bottom line
For the fastest path to polished, no‑hassle footage, start with Mixkit, Pexels, Coverr, Life of Vids, and Free Nature Stock. If you’re fine adding attribution (or paying selectively for upgrades), add Videezy, Videvo, Vidsplay, and Mazwai. To build a steady high‑res library with an account, try Stock Footage for Free and Motion Elements, and don’t overlook tool‑integrated libraries like Canva and creative bundles via Freepik. Whatever you choose, verify each clip’s license, keep clean records, and maintain visual consistency. Your edits will look more premium—even when the footage was free.
