Finding quality footage for video projects can be a time-consuming challenge. Whether you are editing a promotional video, a social media clip, or a short film, having access to a library of free, copyright-cleared footage is invaluable. Fortunately, there are many platforms that offer exactly that.

Here is a selection of 12 sites where you can download free stock videos for all your creative projects.

1. Coverr

Coverr was originally designed to provide videos for website backgrounds and cover images. Over time, the platform has expanded significantly and now offers videos, music, and even AI-powered tools. It has become a well-known resource for video editors looking for high-quality, free footage.

Best for: Website backgrounds, modern lifestyle footage, and AI-assisted content creation.

2. Clipstill

Clipstill offers a rotating selection of videos that it refreshes on a monthly basis. Users can subscribe to access the full library or browse the free videos that are made available to everyone. It is a curated platform, which means the quality is consistently high, though the selection is smaller than some of the larger libraries.

Best for: Editors who want a curated, high-quality selection with new content every month.

3. Dareful

Dareful provides hundreds of videos available for free download. All content is licensed under Creative Commons 4.0, which means you can use it freely as long as you provide attribution. The library is well-organized and includes a range of nature, urban, and lifestyle footage.

Best for: Nature footage and cinematic B-roll. Remember to credit the creator.

4. Free-stock video

Free-stock video is a Scandinavian platform that offers thousands of videos for free download. It is less well-known than some of its competitors, which means you are more likely to find footage that has not been overused in other projects.

Best for: Editors looking for unique, less commonly used footage.

5. Freepik

Freepik is a major platform with thousands of HD videos organized into numerous categories. It also offers an AI video generation tool. If you are a videographer yourself, you can contribute your own content to the platform.

Best for: A large, searchable library with AI generation capabilities.

6. Mixkit

Mixkit offers a wide selection of modern, high-quality videos that can be downloaded and integrated into your projects. No registration is required, though signing up gives you access to exclusive content delivered to your inbox.

Best for: Modern, high-quality footage with a no-registration download process.

7. Motion Elements

Motion Elements is one of the largest platforms available. It contains thousands of videos, animations, templates, and music tracks. The platform offers 8,000 free videos, but it is important to note that it also includes paid elements. Be careful to filter for the free options.

Best for: A large library that includes templates and music alongside video footage.

8. Pexels

Pexels is best known for its free stock photos, but it also offers a substantial collection of free videos. Some videos are shot in vertical format, which makes them particularly useful for mobile viewing and social media content.

Best for: Vertical videos for social media and mobile-first content.

9. Pixabay

Like Pexels, Pixabay is primarily known for its image library. It also offers a wide range of free videos. The content is varied, the quality is good, and the search engine is intuitive and easy to use.

Best for: A diverse, easy-to-search library with a user-friendly interface.

10. Videezy

Videezy offers a large collection of videos organized into numerous categories. The platform is based in Asia, which means the footage often reflects Asian culture and locations more prominently than other platforms. This can be an advantage if you need footage that is less Western-centric.

Best for: Asian cultural footage and a wide range of categories.

11. Videvo

Videvo offers more than 12,000 videos available for free download. New footage is added regularly. In addition to videos, the platform also provides sound effects and music tracks, which can be useful for video editing projects.

Best for: A large, regularly updated library that includes audio assets.

12. Vidsplay

Vidsplay operates in partnership with Shutterstock. It offers short, copyright-free clips for free, alongside longer, paid sequences. The library is strongest in nature footage, though other categories may feel more limited.

Best for: Nature footage and short clips, with the option to upgrade to paid content.

The Bottom Line

These platforms provide a wealth of free, copyright-cleared footage for your video projects. Whether you need cinematic B-roll, vertical social media clips, or nature footage, there is a site on this list that can help.

However, if you are still unsure about how to select the right footage, organize your scenes, or create a polished final edit, consider working with a professional video editor. Video editing is a skilled trade, and a professional can help you bring your vision to life efficiently and effectively.

About the Author

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Peter Makeshoff

Peter Makeshoff is the founder and main author of Designer Daily.