Top Resources for Free Stock Videos: A Guide for New Creators

For new content creators, accessing high-quality videos can be a significant challenge, especially when budget constraints prevent investment in paid stock videos. Free videos offer an excellent alternative, allowing creators to enhance their projects without incurring additional costs. This guide compares the benefits of free videos versus paid stock videos and highlights top platforms where new creators can find high-quality, royalty-free videos.

Paid stock videos often come with a hefty price tag, offering extensive libraries and premium quality. However, for new creators looking to produce engaging content without financial investment, free videos are an invaluable resource.

This article provides a comprehensive list of the best resources for free stock videos. By utilizing these platforms, new creators can access a wealth of high-quality, royalty-free videos to enhance their projects without the need for financial investment. This approach not only saves money but also offers a practical way to elevate the quality of creative content.

Understanding Different Licenses for Stock Videos

When looking for stock resources, it’s essential to understand the different types of licenses and which ones are best suited for your needs. Here’s a simple guide:

Public Domain (CC0)

• Description: These works are free for anyone to use for any purpose, with no restrictions.
• Priority: Highest
• Example: Photos or videos available under Creative Commons Zero (CC0).

Creative Commons (CC) Licenses

Creative Commons licenses let creators specify how their work can be used by others. Here are the types:

1. CC BY (Attribution)
   • Description: You can use the work in any way, even commercially, but you must give credit to the creator.
   • Priority: High
   • Example: Using a photo in a blog post with credit to the photographer.
2. CC BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike)
   • Description: You can use and modify the work, but you must credit the creator and share any modified work under the same license.
   • Priority: High
   • Example: Using and remixing music, crediting the artist, and sharing the remix under the same terms.
3. CC BY-ND (Attribution-NoDerivatives)
   • Description: You can use the work without changes, and you must credit the creator. No modifications allowed.
   • Priority: Medium
   • Example: Using an article as-is and giving credit to the author.
4. CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial)
   • Description: You can use the work for non-commercial purposes only, and you must give credit.
   • Priority: Medium to Low
   • Example: Using a photo on a personal blog with credit to the photographer.
5. CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike)
   • Description: You can use and modify the work for non-commercial purposes, must credit the creator, and share any modified work under the same license.
   • Priority: Medium to Low
   • Example: Using an illustration in a free educational resource and crediting the artist.
6. CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives)
   • Description: You can use the work for non-commercial purposes only, without changes, and you must give credit.
   • Priority: Low
   • Example: Using a song in a personal project with credit to the artist.

Editorial Use Only

• Description: Content that can be used for news, blogs, and other editorial purposes, but not for commercial use.
• Priority: Low for commercial projects
• Example: Using a news photo in a blog post but not in an advertisement.

Rights-Managed

• Description: Requires purchasing a license for each specific use, with restrictions based on factors like duration, distribution, and region.
• Priority: Low due to complexity and cost
• Example: Buying a license to use a photo in a magazine for a specific period.

Top Websites for Downloading Royalty Free Videos

1. Wikimedia Commons

What is Wikimedia Commons?

Wikimedia Commons is a vast online repository of free-use images, sounds, videos, and other media files. It is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation, designed to provide a central place where users can access and contribute media that is freely available under public domain or Creative Commons licenses. This makes Wikimedia Commons an excellent resource for finding free videos and stock videos that you can use in your projects without worrying about copyright issues.

How to Search Videos and Filter Them on Wikimedia Commons

Finding free videos on Wikimedia Commons is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s how to search and filter stock videos effectively:

1. Go to the Wikimedia Commons Website: Navigate to Wikimedia Commons.
2. Use the Search Bar: Enter relevant keywords related to the video content you are looking for. For example, type “nature videos” or “historical footage”.
3. Filter Your Search Results: Once you have the search results, you can filter them to find the specific type of media you need.
   • Click on the “Media Type” Filter: On the search results page, look for filter options on the left-hand side.
   • Select “Videos”: Click on the video filter to narrow down the search results to only show videos. This helps in finding relevant free videos quickly.
4. Sort by License Type: To ensure you are getting stock videos under the right license, you can use additional filters or check the license information provided with each video.

How to Check the License of a Video on Wikimedia Commons

Checking the license of a video on Wikimedia Commons is crucial to ensure you comply with the usage terms. Here’s how to do it:

1. Find the Video Page: Once you locate a video in the search results, click on its thumbnail to go to the video’s dedicated page.
2. Scroll Down to License Information: On the video page, scroll down to find detailed information about the video, including its license.
3. Look for the License Type: The license type will be clearly mentioned under the “Licensing” section.
   • CC0 (Public Domain): Indicates that the video is free to use without any restrictions.
   • CC BY (Attribution): Means you can use the video as long as you give proper credit to the creator.
   • Other Creative Commons Licenses: Specify additional conditions such as non-commercial use or share alike requirements.
4. Review Usage Conditions: Always review the specific terms and conditions associated with the video to ensure you adhere to the license requirements.

3. Pexels

What is Pexels?

Pexels is a popular online platform that offers a vast collection of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. These free videos are contributed by a global community of photographers and videographers. Pexels aims to empower creators by providing a diverse range of media that can be used for personal and commercial projects without any cost. All videos on Pexels are available under the Pexels License, which is similar to Creative Commons Zero (CC0), meaning you can use the videos without attribution and for any purpose.

How to Search Videos and Filter Them on Pexels

Finding free videos on Pexels is easy and efficient, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Here’s how you can search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the Pexels Website: Go to Pexels.
2. Use the Search Bar: Type in keywords related to the type of video you need. For example, you can search for “free nature videos” or “cityscape stock videos.”
3. Navigate to the Videos Section: Ensure you are in the “Videos” section of the search results to filter out other types of media.
4. Use Filters to Refine Your Search: Pexels offers several filtering options to help you find the perfect video.
   • Orientation: Choose between landscape, portrait, or square orientation.
   • Duration: Filter videos by their length to find the ones that best fit your project requirements.
   • Resolution: Select the resolution, such as HD or 4K, to ensure the video quality meets your needs.

How to Check the License of a Video on Pexels

Checking the license of a video on Pexels is straightforward, ensuring you understand the usage rights for your selected free videos and stock videos:

All videos on Pexels are covered under the Pexels License, which allows:

• Free Use: You can use the video for personal and commercial purposes without any cost.
• No Attribution Required: You do not need to give credit to the creator, though it’s appreciated if you do.
• Modification: You can modify the video to suit your project needs.

4. Pixabay

Introduction to Pixabay

Pixabay is a renowned platform that offers a vast collection of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. These free videos are available for personal and commercial use, making Pixabay a go-to resource for creators looking for versatile and cost-free media. All videos on Pixabay are provided under the Pixabay License, which allows users to download, modify, and use the videos without needing to attribute the original creator.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Pixabay

Finding the perfect royalty-free videos on Pixabay is simple and efficient. Here’s how you can search and filter stock videos to fit your needs:

1. Visit the Pixabay Website: Head to Pixabay.
2. Utilize the Search Bar: Enter keywords relevant to the type of video you are seeking, such as “free travel videos” or “business stock videos.”
3. Select the Videos Tab: Ensure you are viewing video results by clicking on the “Videos” tab to filter out images and other media types.
4. Apply Filters for Precision:
   • Category: Choose from various categories to narrow down your search, such as nature, technology, or people.
   • Orientation: Select the desired orientation, like horizontal or vertical, depending on your project requirements.
   • Resolution: Filter videos by resolution, such as HD or 4K, to match the quality needs of your project.

How to Verify the License of a Video on Pixabay

Ensuring that you are compliant with usage rights is essential. Here’s how to check the license for free videos on Pixabay:

All videos on Pexels are covered under the Pexels License, which allows:

• Free to Use: Videos can be used for both personal and commercial projects without any cost.
• No Attribution Required: You do not need to credit the creator, although giving credit is appreciated.
• Modifications Allowed: You are free to modify the videos to suit your project needs.

5. Mixkit

Discovering Mixkit for Royalty-Free Videos

Mixkit is an excellent resource for creators looking for high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. Mixkit offers a wide range of free videos that can be used for both personal and commercial projects. These videos are curated to ensure top-notch quality and are available under a simple and permissive license, making them ideal for various creative endeavors.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Mixkit

Finding the perfect royalty-free videos on Mixkit is quick and straightforward. Here’s how you can efficiently search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the Mixkit Website: Navigate to Mixkit.
2. Use the Search Function: Enter relevant keywords into the search bar to find videos that match your needs, such as “free marketing videos” or “nature stock videos.”
3. Explore Video Categories: Mixkit organizes its videos into various categories like business, travel, and food, allowing you to easily browse through different types of content.
4. Apply Filters:
   • Categories: Select from categories to narrow down your search and find specific types of videos.
   • Trending and New: Browse through trending videos or newly added content to find the latest high-quality videos available.

How to Check the License of a Video on Mixkit

Verifying the license for free videos on Mixkit is essential to ensure proper usage. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail to access its detailed page.
2. Locate the License Information: The license information is usually found directly on the video page.
3. Understand the Mixkit License:
   • Free Use: Videos can be used for both personal and commercial projects without any cost.
   • No Attribution Required: You do not need to give credit to the creator, making it hassle-free to use these videos in any project.
   • Modifications Allowed: You are free to edit and modify the videos to better fit your project requirements.

6. Coverr

Exploring Coverr for Royalty-Free Videos

Coverr is a top-tier platform offering a diverse collection of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. Perfect for creators seeking free videos for various projects, Coverr provides videos that can be used without any attribution or cost, making it a valuable resource for both personal and commercial use.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Coverr

Finding the right royalty-free videos on Coverr is easy and efficient. Here’s how you can search and filter stock videos to meet your needs:

1. Visit the Coverr Website: Head to Coverr.
2. Use the Search Bar: Type in keywords relevant to your project, such as “free lifestyle videos” or “corporate stock videos.”
3. Browse by Categories: Coverr organizes its videos into various categories like nature, technology, and food, allowing for easy navigation and selection.
4. Use Filters to Narrow Down Results:
   • Trending: Check out trending videos to see popular and high-quality options.
   • New Arrivals: Browse the latest additions to the video library to find fresh content.

How to Verify the License of a Video on Coverr

Ensuring you understand the license for free videos on Coverr is crucial for proper usage. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Access the Video Details: Click on the video thumbnail to open the video’s dedicated page.
2. Find the License Information: The license details are typically displayed on the video page.
3. Understand the Coverr License:
   • Free to Use: Videos can be used for both personal and commercial purposes without any cost.
   • No Attribution Required: You do not need to credit the creator, which simplifies the use of these videos in various projects.
   • Modifications Allowed: You can edit and modify the videos to better fit your project needs.

7. Videvo

Exploring Videvo for Royalty-Free Videos

Videvo offers a diverse range of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos suitable for various projects. Whether you need free videos for personal or commercial use, Videvo provides multiple licensing options to meet your requirements.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Videvo

1. Visit the Videvo Website: Navigate to Videvo.
2. Use the Search Bar: Enter keywords like “free travel videos” or “technology stock videos.”
3. Browse by Categories: Explore various categories such as nature, business, or lifestyle.
4. Apply Filters:
   • License Type: Filter to find royalty-free and other free licenses.
   • Resolution: Choose HD or 4K based on your project needs.

How to Check the License of a Video on Videvo

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail for details.
2. Locate License Information: Find licensing details on the video page.
3. Review the License:
   • Royalty-Free: Use without attribution for unlimited projects.
   • Attribution License: Requires credit to the creator.
   • Editorial Use: For non-commercial, newsworthy projects only.

8. Videezy

Exploring Videezy for Royalty-Free Videos

Videezy is a popular platform offering a wide range of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. It caters to creators seeking free videos for various projects, providing content that can be used both personally and commercially, with some requiring attribution.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Videezy

Finding the right royalty-free videos on Videezy is simple. Here’s how to efficiently search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the Videezy Website: Go to Videezy.
2. Use the Search Bar: Type in keywords relevant to your project, such as “free travel videos” or “technology stock videos.”
3. Filter Your Results:
   • Categories: Browse through categories like nature, business, and abstract to narrow your search.
   • License Type: Filter by license type to find royalty-free videos.
   • Resolution: Select the preferred resolution, such as HD or 4K, to meet your project’s quality requirements.

How to Verify the License of a Video on Videezy

Ensuring you understand the license for free videos on Videezy is essential. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail to view its details.
2. Locate the License Information: The license details are displayed on the video page, indicating if attribution is required.
3. Review the License:
   • Videezy Standard License: Allows use in multiple projects without additional fees, but may require attribution.
   • Editorial Use: Some videos are marked for editorial use only, restricting commercial use.

9. Vidsplay

Discovering Vidsplay for Royalty-Free Videos

Vidsplay is a valuable resource for creators seeking high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. It offers a wide range of free videos that can be used in various projects, making it an excellent choice for both personal and commercial use.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Vidsplay

Finding the right royalty-free videos on Vidsplay is straightforward. Here’s how to efficiently search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the Vidsplay Website: Go to Vidsplay.
2. Use the Search Bar: Enter keywords relevant to your project, such as “free nature videos” or “business stock videos.”
3. Browse by Categories: Vidsplay organizes its videos into categories like animals, food, and technology, allowing for easy navigation.
4. Apply Filters: Use available filters to narrow down your search results to find the most suitable videos.

How to Verify the License of a Video on Vidsplay

Ensuring you understand the license for free videos on Vidsplay is crucial. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail to view its details.
2. Locate the License Information: The license details are displayed on the video page, indicating if attribution is required.
3. Review the License:
   • Vidsplay License: Typically allows free use for both personal and commercial projects with required attribution.
   • Editorial Use: Some videos may be marked for editorial use only, restricting commercial use.

10. Dareful

Exploring Dareful for Royalty-Free Videos

Dareful is a premier platform for finding high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. It offers a wide selection of 4K and HD video clips that are completely free to download and use in any type of project, including commercial ones. All videos on Dareful are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, ensuring broad usability and flexibility for creators.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on Dareful

Finding the perfect royalty-free videos on Dareful is simple and efficient. Here’s how you can search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the Dareful Website: Navigate to Dareful.
2. Use the Search Function: Enter keywords relevant to your project, such as “free nature videos” or “urban stock videos.”
3. Browse by Categories: Dareful categorizes its videos into various themes like aerial, nature, beach, city, and more, making it easy to find specific types of content.
4. Sort by Popular or Recent: You can sort the videos by popularity or by the most recent uploads to find trending or newly added content.

How to Verify the License of a Video on Dareful

Ensuring you understand the license for free videos on Dareful is essential. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail to view its details.
2. Locate the License Information: The license details are displayed on the video page, specifying the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
3. Understand the License:
   • Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License: This license allows you to use, share, and adapt the videos for any purpose, even commercially, as long as you provide appropriate credit to Dareful.

11. MotionElements

Discovering MotionElements for Royalty-Free Videos

MotionElements is a comprehensive platform offering a wide variety of high-quality, royalty-free videos and stock videos. It provides content creators with easy access to video clips, templates, and music that can be used for multiple projects without incurring additional fees. This makes MotionElements an excellent resource for both personal and commercial use.

How to Search and Filter Free Videos on MotionElements

Finding the right royalty-free videos on MotionElements is straightforward. Here’s how you can efficiently search and filter stock videos:

1. Visit the MotionElements Website: Navigate to MotionElements.
2. Use the Search Bar: Enter keywords relevant to your project, such as “free nature videos” or “corporate stock videos.”
3. Browse by Categories: MotionElements organizes its videos into categories like nature, business, and abstract, making it easy to find specific types of content.
4. Apply Filters:
   • Media Types: Filter by video, music, sound effects, and other media types.
   • Resolution: Select the preferred resolution, such as HD or 4K, to meet your project’s quality requirements.
   • License Type: Ensure the content is royalty-free by checking the license type on the product page.

How to Verify the License of a Video on MotionElements

Ensuring you understand the license for free videos on MotionElements is crucial. Here’s how to check the license details:

1. Open the Video Page: Click on the video thumbnail to view its details.
2. Locate the License Information: The license details are displayed on the video page.
3. Review the License:
   • Royalty-Free License: Allows use in multiple projects forever, across all media worldwide, without additional fees. However, there are restrictions on reselling or redistributing the content in its original form.
   • Editorial Use Only: Some content is marked for editorial use only, which means it cannot be used for commercial purposes.