A simple guide to Instagram insights
Luke McCarthy
November 21, 2024
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If you don’t make videos, perhaps it’s time to start because according to Oberlo, eight out of 10 people have been persuaded to buy something after watching a brand’s video and people watch more than a billion hours of footage on YouTube every day. The good news is, you don’t have to start scouring the internet, because we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of all the best stock video websites (both free and paid) out there.
Stock videos are short clips of high quality footage that you can use as part of a larger production. They’re shot for general usage, so you can use them for any purpose, whether it be for social media, brand storytelling, short films, etc.
Here’s a typical stock video.
You can find almost anything in video format when you search websites offering free stock video footage. All you need to do is type what you’re looking for in the search bar, click enter, and you’ll be shown a selection of videos.
Whether it’s waves gently lapping on the shore, comical penguins or Earth from outer space that you’re after, there’ll be relevant video content somewhere. Most stock videos last for half a minute or less and the majority of websites will offer some free videos along with paid for choices.
Absolutely! You’re usually free to use stock videos without any risk of copyright infringements, but do always use a reputable site (see below) and check the T&Cs.
For inspiration, take a look at our guide to repurposing videos along with our advice on smooth video transitions for beginners. Once you’ve finished editing your video, you can add royalty-free music to your footage (this is where our guide to great royalty-free music will come in very handy.) And if you plan to use the video on YouTube, don’t miss our top tips on how to grow your audience on the platform.
When you visit a free stock video website, type your request into the search bar and press enter. You’ll be shown a selection of videos that match your query. Find a free video that suits your requirements (you can watch a preview of it) and then click the download button.
Any video that is available for free will be downloaded without a watermark. Paid for videos will have a watermark, but you can remove this by paying the fee, which varies between websites.
Access all the video footage you’ll ever need with our comprehensive selection of the best free and affordable stock footage websites.
Pixabay has more than 2.3 million images and videos available for use under a simplified Pixabay license, which enables you to use content for free, without having to credit the filmmaker or photographer. You can also modify or adapt the content as you please.
To download content, you need to register as a user first. Then, all you need to do is search for the content you want and click the free download button. There’s an option to donate to the artist by clicking the ‘donate’ button or going to their profile and selecting the green ‘coffee’ icon.
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Another free site, although you will have to check the video clips individually for licensing information. Most request that you credit Videezy whenever you use footage from the site.
There’s a wide variety of free clips to choose from and anything marked premium can be bought using credits, with one video costing one credit.
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With a library of more than 400 free stock videos and new clips added weekly, this site is handy for anyone looking for general footage.
Vidsplay does ask that you include a link back to them somewhere on your website in return for using their content. Most of the free stock comes in MP4 format.
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Best for larger businesses with bigger budgets, Shutterstock has a huge selection of videos along with royalty-free images and audio. It’s a well designed website, so you’ll find it easy to locate exactly what you’re looking for.
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This is both a paid-for and free content site with a free 30-day trial available if you want to try the premium option. Content is added daily and if you purchase one plan, it can be accessed by unlimited users.
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Not the biggest collection of free video stock there is, but it’s totally free and you can use the content however you like as long as you give credit and indicate if you’ve made any changes. All the content is shot by one videographer, Joel Holland, and the good news is, he’s very talented.
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A completely free site offering hundreds of videos. Whenever you download, you’ll get a ZIP file containing your video along with a JPEG thumbnail image.
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Mazwai claims to handpick all its free stock footage clips and offers simple licensing with no need to register. They do, however, ask that you credit the videographer whenever you use a clip.
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If it’s bees at work or birds mid flight that you’re after, then Free Nature Stock is worth a visit. It’s completely free to use for both personal and commercial reasons. There’s no need to credit the filmmaker, however donations are encouraged.
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With this website, you can either pay for each individual video or take out a monthly subscription, which allows you to use the content for both private and commercial projects. The subscription allows unlimited downloads, while one-off purchases are £25 for a short HD clip.
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If you’re after video content that’s diverse, inspiring, and a little bit different, then this is the site for you. One of the real plus points is the search facility, which features capabilities such as showing you content that is ‘conceptually’ and ‘visually’ similar. To download, you’ll need to complete an invoicing form first; an invoice is then issued on checkout.
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Videvo offers free stock videos in 4k and HD formats, and it allows you to use the content as many times as you like.
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If it’s footage for Instagram reels you’re after, then Pexels is the perfect place to find free video. Footage is curated by individuals who have their own unique style. Downloads are free, but you will be offered the chance to donate to the videographer. All videos are under the Pexel’s license. (If you do plan to use free stock video content in your reels, make sure you’ve read our comprehensive guide to Instagram marketing to make the most of it.)
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Choosing between free and paid stock video websites depends on factors like the quality of footage, licensing restrictions, and budget. Free sites may offer lower resolution, limited variety, or require attribution, while paid sites provide higher-quality videos, exclusive footage, and more flexible licensing.
If you need videos for professional, high-visibility projects with no attribution requirements, paid options are ideal. For smaller projects or social media content, free sites can suffice if you carefully review their licensing terms.
Yes, even free stock videos may have licensing restrictions, especially for commercial use. While many free sites offer videos under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, which allows use without attribution, others may require crediting the creator or limit commercial usage.
Always check the specific terms of each website or video, as improper use can lead to copyright infringement issues. Some websites offer a mix of free and paid content, and their free videos may not always come with full commercial rights.
To optimise stock video for social media, focus on the platform’s specific dimensions and content style. For Instagram, use vertical or square formats, and ensure the content aligns with the app’s fast-paced, visual style.
For TikTok, vertical videos are a must, with engaging, trend-driven content that suits short-form formats. Add text overlays, transitions, or music to make the stock footage feel native to the platform. Always consider the audience’s preferences, such as quick edits or visually compelling hooks in the first few seconds.
Are you ready to start making compelling video content for your influencer marketing campaign? Make easy work of it with Vamp. Our pricing is transparent and there’s an option to suit all budgets. Find out how Vamp for business can help your brand. For an example of how engaging video can really work for you, have a look at this case study, which shows how Johnnie Walker Malaysia achieved thousands of low-cost clicks and an engagement rate 25X the industry standard.
