Business

20+ Resources for Free Stock Photos in 2020

Published

4 years ago

February 5, 2021

Photos help us better understand the concept of a product or service. When we see the relevant photo, we understand what we can count on. Therefore, you should be extremely careful when picking up the right photo for your article or website. If you prepare a to-the-point photo, it will help you attract more clients and boost sales.

But how do we get beautiful stock photos with the relevant design? Nowadays, there are a lot of services that provide free stock photos of high quality. In this article, we will share the 20 best resources for free stock photos in 2020. They are easy to use so every user will handle the process unaided. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Pixabay

We think this resource is the most generous as it contains more than 1 million free stock photos. You can get free images in several categories such as photos, artwork, vectors, and videos. Also, you can opt for computer illustrations. To put it another way, Pixabay is a database of non-copyrighted photos that are distributed under the Creative Commons license.

Pixabay allows you to use different filters and change the size, color, and orientation of the photo. If you want to use a search feature, we recommend choosing an English version of it. Overall, this resource is worth your attention.

2. Unsplash

This resource provides you with 300 000+ stock photos from different photo-communities all over the world. Unsplash offers high-resolution stock photos of several categories. For example, you can browse through photos on the topic of technology, cooking, or traveling. If you sign up and create an account, Unsplash will be sending you dozens of free relevant stock photos every 10 days.

This resource is convenient and easy to use, so we recommend every user to try it. The good thing is that you can search the Unsplash library in the PicMonkey editor add pics to your designs seamlessly.

3. Pexels

Although this service contains only 40 thousand free stock photos, they are all worth your attention. You can use a search function to pick up the relevant photo from a particular category. Portraits, photos of individual objects, landscapes, and fashion photographs – you will be surprised by a wide choice of stock photos.

The website is made in a minimalistic design so that it is convenient to use. We recommend you to use the page in English the way it is to avoid mistakes in translation.

4. Burst

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that Burst has different licenses for every image. So, make sure to check it before using a photo. If you work in e-commerce and do online sales, this service will help you find the right photos.

You can find folders of pictures distinguished by the type of business all available to download as either high or low resolution. This resource is quite good in its category.

5. Dreamstime

To use this resource, you have to sign up and create an account. Dreamstime has 150 million stock photos which make it the world’s largest stock community. There 33 million users who have signed up. Although not all of the photos are free, the service has a separate section with free content that is constantly updating.

Dreamstime has not only stock photos but also editorials, illustrations, videos, and audios. However, makes sure to check if the piece is free to use.

6. Flickr

A lot of people think of this service as the first one among free stock photos resources. It is really huge: it seems like Flickr contains billions of photos. It has a convenient search feature so that you can find the relevant photo by entering a keyword, color, size, or even a license type of a photo. Be careful with this website: it might be overwhelming. For instance, you will get more than a million examples by typing a simple keyword.

7. Picjumbo

The benefit of this resource is that you don’t have to sign up if you need to download a stock photo. Although the service does not have a search function, you can explore different categories to find the right piece. The website was created in 2013 and it has more than 5 million downloads by now.

8. Visionpic

Visionpic.net provides you with high-resolution free stock photos from a community of professional photographers who travel all around the world. This service is recognized as one of the best among free stock photo websites. It shares lots of attractive high-quality photos without watermarks which makes it suitable for social media and businesses.

The website has a comfortable search feature and more than 20 categories of materials. This makes Visionpic convenient and easy to use. Also, it is worth noting that you will not have any problems with loading the pages because the website is perfectly optimized.

9. Stock Up

This resource shares free stock photos from other online services that gave permission on taking their materials. Stock Up makes collections of beautiful high-quality stock photos. Therefore, you can choose the appropriate image from more than 20 thousand pieces.

10. Free Range Stock

To use this resource of free stock photos, you have to sign up and create an account. This service is convenient to select images to illustrate abstract concepts. Overall, this free stock photos resource is quite simple and easy to use.

11. Stockvault

This is another photo stock for photographers and designers that allows you to both publish your work and use other people’s pictures for personal purposes. The advantage of the resource is that registration is not required to use stock photos. The website also offers a selection of suitable photos from collections such as “Merry Christmas”.

12. Kaboompics

This service offers a rather interesting option: you can search for pictures with a dominant color. Looking for images in a specific color palette? Just set up the filter and you will find something suitable in a few minutes. You will immediately appreciate the feminine atmosphere and sophistication of each photo. Bloggers and freelancers will love it!

13. Life of Pix

This site contains photos of a wide range of professional photographers. All photos are free for both personal and commercial use. Landscapes, architectural objects, and portraits – here you will find photos for every taste. The base of materials of the site is updated every week, and the administration selects the photos manually.

14. Foter

Foter is a search tool for Flickr that helps you quickly select images with licensing options of interest. This site contains thousands of atmospheric photographs on various topics. You can search for photos by keywords by entering them in English. Filter “All Creative Commons” to select free photos.

15. Negative Space

Negative Space is not very large, but it only helps to make the viewing more positive. You will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of smartphone layouts presented. Photos are CC0 licensed.

16. Free Digital Photos

This resource contains a large database of stock photos, divided into categories. All images are free for both educational and personal or business purposes. This service is simple and straightforward to use.

17. Skitterphoto

SkitterPhoto presents a selection of lovely cute photos from three Dutch photographers. Landscapes, animals, individual objects – everything you need is here. Keep in mind that the service regularly adds new photos.

18. Barnimages

Although this site was created by a couple of photography friends, it bypasses many famous resources in quality. You can use their free, non-attributed stock images for any purpose, but the site’s creators would appreciate it if you like their work. Also, they have a pretty helpful blog to help you get your head around stock photography.

19. AllTheFreeStock

This is another service that collects snapshots of other free stock resources. Free stock images, icons, and videos – what else do you need to be happy?

All photos, videos, and icons are collected in one place. The service offers different licenses, but we recommend that you check the terms of use of the photos on the original site before downloading materials.

20. DesignersPics

This free stock service adds new photos every month. Users can use all the images for both personal and commercial purposes. A small collection of beautiful modern stock photos on various topics. These are mainly separate items, but there are also some pretty good landscapes. The site collects only high-resolution photos. And yes, they are absolutely free. There is a general feed of updates and a separate section where pictures are divided into categories.

Overall, that’s it for now. These were the 20 best resources for free stock photos in 2020. We recommend you to check out at least a few of them to find your favorite one. Feel free to spend some time browsing through the service to evaluate its design and optimization. Also, make sure to subscribe to our social media to stay tuned with the latest updates.

Business

Remote Professionals Getting More Value for Their Work Thanks to Borderless Banking

Published

6 days ago

July 10, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Not too long ago, the idea of working remotely from an island in Thailand or a co-working space in Berlin sounded like the kind of fantasy only tech moguls or backpacking freelancers could afford.

Fast forward to today, and it’s as good as a global reality. Millions of professionals have cut the cord from traditional office life in exchange for flexibility, freedom, and a work-life balance that fits their personal rhythm and not their employer’s timezone.

However, as remote work has reshaped how people earn a living, it’s also pointed out the existing limits to most of the world’s financial systems. Traditional banking simply wasn’t built for a workforce that’s always on the move, operating in multiple currencies, and getting paid across borders.

Thankfully, that’s where borderless banking like Black Banx have proven vital, and has quietly transformed the way money is managed for people vacationing and working overseas alike.

The Rise of the Remote Work Economy

Remote work isn’t just a pandemic-era trend that faded with Zoom fatigue—it’s become a defining feature of the modern workforce. A recent survey revealed that over 39% of Gen Z and Millennials planned to live and work abroad for extended periods this year, many staying six months or more in a single location. That’s beyond a short trip, and can be considered as good as a sabbatical with a substantial lifestyle shift.

According to recent estimates, the digital nomad economy now also contributes as much as US$787 billion annually to the global economy. And this isn’t just entry-level gig work. A third of digital nomads earn between US$100,000 and US$250,000, while another third take in US$50,000 to US$100,000 annually.

It is indeed evident that the manner in which many make a living has changed. Unfortunately, most financial systems haven’t kept up.

Where Traditional Banks Are Still Falling Short

For those who have ever tried to open a bank account abroad or receive payment from a foreign client, they already know the drill: the paperwork is endless, delays are frustrating, and the fees? So much to do, even for the smallest amounts of money.

Just to name few of the hurdles remote workers still face with conventional banking:

Account setup restrictions: Need proof of residence, tax IDs, or a local job offer—things many digital nomads simply don’t have.
Slow international transfers: Payments can take days to process, which is a nightmare when rent’s due.
High foreign exchange fees: Currency conversions often come with steep, hidden costs.
Limited multi-currency support: Most banks still force users to operate in a single currency, making financial planning chaotic at best.

And perhaps most tellingly, many banks have digitized their operations but haven’t personalized their services. According to Accenture’s 2025 Banking Trends Report, while digital transformation has improved efficiency, it often sacrifices the customer experience. That’s not great news for people who live outside the lines.

Borderless Banking for Professionals Across the Globe

The concept of borderless banking goes far beyond wiring money internationally. Fundamentally, it’s also about being able to eliminate the friction between people and their money, no matter where they are in the world, and maintaining an ecosystem where geography, bureaucracy, and currency don’t stand in the way of financial freedom.

A working example of this is Black Banx, a Toronto-based fintech founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer. Since launching globally in 2015, it has grown to serve over 78 million clients in 180+ countries as of Q1 2025, proof that people take to digital banking solutions when it is accessible, affordable, and is useful in just about any locale.

In the first three months of this year, Black Banx had also earned US$4.3 billion in revenue and US$1.6 billion in pre-tax profit, more than double from the same quarter the previous year and showing it has consistently delivered tangible value to global customers—remote professionals included

How Borderless Banking Maximizes Value for Remote Workers

1. Instant Account Access—No Strings Attached

The times of hunting down local branches or collecting endless documents just to open an account are finished. With borderless banks, users can open an account in minutes using just a photo ID—no proof of address or income required. That’s a lifesaver for anyone living outside their passport country or hopping from one location to another.

2. Multi-Currency Mastery

Managing money in multiple currencies used to mean juggling several accounts—or worse, losing money on conversions. Borderless platforms like Black Banx support 28 FIAT currencies and allow real-time currency conversions at competitive rates. That means remote workers can:

Invoice clients in one currency
Spend or save in another
Hedge against local currency fluctuations
Avoid excessive conversion fees altogether

3. Seamless, Real-Time Global Payments

Getting paid late, or paying others late, isn’t just inconvenient; it can damage relationships and disrupt your cash flow. With real-time payment support, remote workers can receive funds instantly, no matter where their clients are. This is particularly valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs juggling multiple contracts across time zones.

Plus, bulk payment features and API integration streamline processes for those running teams or businesses.

4. Built-In Crypto Options

It isn’t surprising that many digital nomads are already deep into crypto. Whether it’s for investment, faster transactions, or avoiding traditional finance red tape, crypto is becoming essential.

Since 2016, Black Banx has allowed users to send, receive, and convert crypto (like BTC and ETH) within their accounts. That integration saves users from having to manage separate crypto wallets, and adds another layer of flexibility to their financial toolkit.

5. Secure Transactions

Remote workers often log in to work from cafés, coworking spaces, and airports, to name a few. Of course, this flexibility of being able to work almost anywhere should never come at the cost of security. Borderless banks like Black Banx use end-to-end encryption, AI fraud detection, and two-factor authentication to keep accounts safe from risky elements.

Financial Freedom, Not Just Convenience

Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of borderless banking is the freedom it provides. Not just to access money, but to fully participate in the global economy. For millions of professionals in underbanked regions like Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, borderless banking has become a gateway to financial inclusion and a way to take on opportunities that typically wouldn’t be available to them if not remote.

By removing barriers to entry, platforms like Black Banx empower underserved individuals to both take control of their finances and increase their earning power by working with companies from higher paying markets. This democratization of finance isn’t just good for individuals, it’s good for the global economy as a whole.

As Black Banx CEO Michael Gastauer put it: “Our multi-currency solutions enable businesses to tap into global talent without worrying about payment complexities. We make cross-border transactions as seamless as local ones.”

The Road Ahead

By 2030, the number of digital nomads worldwide is expected to soar past 60 million, according to the Forbes Technology Council. That means tens of millions of workers will be navigating foreign currencies, time zones, and financial systems—all while expecting the same seamless experience they’d get at home.

Indeed, remote professionals aren’t just looking for places to work—they’re looking for systems that work for them. In a lifestyle built on flexibility, traditional banking is proving too rigid, too slow, and too expensive.

Borderless banking services like those offered by the likes of Black Banx, on the other hand, offer exactly what today’s global workforce needs: instant access, multi-currency support, real-time payments, crypto integration, and enterprise-level security—all in a streamlined experience.