Free4.8/5(107 · Sep 2026)
Key features
- Free high-res photos
- API access
- Collections
Pros
- Completely free
- High-quality images
Cons
- Popular images overused
- Limited search filters
12 Best Stock Assets for Students (2026)
By Louis Corneloup · Updated Out of 70 stock assets tools we track, 12 meet the students bar: free pricing. Ranked by editorial score plus external signals (G2/Capterra reviews, media mentions, featured status).
Key Takeaways
- Unsplash is our #1 pick for stock assets for students in 2026.
- We analyzed 12 stock assets tools for students to create this ranking.
- 12 tools offer free plans, ideal for students getting started.
At a glance: 12 Stock Assets for Students
Top 10 picks compared. Scroll horizontally on mobile.
Detailed picks: Stock Assets for Students
Free4.6/5(111 · Mar 2026)
Key features
- Free stock photos
- Free stock videos
- No attribution required
Pros
- Free photos and videos
- High quality content
Cons
- Popular content overused
- Less curated than premium sites
Free4.9/5(47 · May 2026)
Key features
- Thousands of curated free PSD mockup templates
- Device mockups for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch, and Android
- Print mockups for posters, business cards, books, and stationery
Pros
- All mockups are completely free for personal and commercial use
- Massive library covering nearly every mockup category
Cons
- Most mockups require Photoshop for full editing
- No account system to save favorites or collections
Burst
Download thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free stock photos for commercial and personal use.
Free4.6/5(42 · Sep 2026)
Key features
- Thousands of high-resolution images
- Royalty-free license
- Commercial use allowed
Pros
- Completely free to use for any purpose, including commercial
- High-quality, professional-grade photos
Cons
- Library size might be smaller compared to paid stock photo sites
- Specific niche photos might be limited
aperture
Transform your new Chrome tabs into a gallery of stunning surf photography.
Free
Key features
- Replaces default new tab page
- Displays surf photos
- Features photos from selected surf photographers
Pros
- Provides aesthetically pleasing new tab visuals
- Offers a refreshing change from standard new tab pages
Cons
- Limited functionality beyond displaying photos
- Photos are not customizable by the user
StockSnap
Discover and download beautiful, high-quality stock photos for any creative project, completely free.
Free
Key features
- Thousands of free stock photos and images
- New CC0 images added daily
- Tag-based category system for browsing
Pros
- Completely free for all uses, including commercial
- No attribution required (CC0 license)
Cons
- Relies on community submissions, so specific niche content might be limited compared to paid platforms
- Does not offer advanced filtering options like color or orientation
Poly Haven
The public library of high-quality, CC0 3D assets for visual effects and game design.
Free
Key features
- Extensive library of HDRIs (up to 16k+ resolution, unclipped)
- Photoscanned seamless PBR textures (at least 8k resolution)
- Hyperreal 3D models for VFX and games
Pros
- Completely free with no restrictions (CC0 license)
- High-quality, production-ready assets
Cons
- Relies on community donations for sustainability
- Asset submission has strict quality standards, which might be a con for creators looking for an easy upload platform
IconMonstr
Discover over 4700 free, simple, and unique icons for your next project.
Free
Key features
- Exclusive and uniform icon designs
- Icons available in fill and outline versions
- Lightweight and optimized for web use
Pros
- Completely free for commercial use
- Large and continuously growing collection of icons
Cons
- Cannot download all icons at once
- Does not offer custom icon design services
Poliigon
Access a vast library of PBR textures, 3D models, and HDRIs for realistic 3D rendering.
Free
Key features
- PBR Textures
- 3D Models
- HDRIs (High Dynamic Range Images)
Pros
- High-quality and realistic assets
- Streamlines 3D rendering workflow
Cons
- Requires a paid subscription for access
- No free tier available
Splice
Access a vast library of royalty-free sounds, presets, and creative tools for music production.
Free
Key features
- Royalty-free sample library
- Credit-based download system for samples, loops, one-shots, presets, and MIDI
- Splice Bridge for in-DAW sound auditioning (syncs with project tempo/key)
Pros
- Vast and diverse library of high-quality, royalty-free sounds
- Seamless integration with popular DAWs, enhancing workflow
Cons
- Credit system can be restrictive for heavy users on lower tiers
- Advanced DAW integrations might require specific software versions (e.g., Ableton Live 12.3+)
Free Music Archive
Discover and download royalty-free music for all your creative projects.
Free
Key features
- Royalty-free music library
- Instant access to independent artists' music
- Free to play, download, and share music
Pros
- Supports independent artists directly
- Eliminates traditional music licensing barriers
Kaboompics
Editorial style free stock photography and videos for creatives and brands.
Free
Key features
- Free stock photos
- Free stock videos
- Batch download photoshoots
Pros
- High-quality, editorial-style images and videos available for free.
- Consistency in visual style due to entire photoshoots being available.
Cons
- Free content might not be as extensive as paid stock sites.
- Reliance on external partners (like iStock) for some content.
How we ranked these Stock Assets tools for Students
Step 1
Filter the catalog
We start from our full database of 70 stock assets tools and keep only those matching students criteria: free pricing.
Step 2
Score each tool
Editorial score (out of 100) on utility, UX, value, support, and innovation, then layered with external signals: G2/Capterra review volume and average rating, recent media mentions, and featured status.
Step 3
Keep the top 12
We rank by combined score and surface the top 12 so the list stays scannable. Pricing is re-checked on rotation and the page rebuilds hourly via ISR so picks stay fresh.
Buyer's guide
Stock Assets for Students: what to know
Students need productivity + study + collaboration software. The free + freemium tier of most major tools covers a student's needs: Google Workspace + Microsoft 365 (free for .edu emails), Notion (free personal), GitHub (free for students via GitHub Student Developer Pack), Figma + Adobe Creative Cloud (free or steep discount for students), Otter.ai for lecture transcription, Anki / Quizlet for spaced repetition, Khan Academy + Coursera + edX for self-paced learning.
The 2024-2026 reality: AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Notion AI) have transformed how students study + write. Universities are still figuring out which AI use is acceptable (research + brainstorming usually OK; finished writing usually not). Note-taking is the highest-leverage student tool category: Notion + Obsidian + Roam + Logseq + Apple Notes + RemNote each have strong cases. The right note-taking system + spaced repetition (Anki, RemNote built-in) outperform expensive textbook software.
Challenges Students face
- AI tools usage policy varies by professor + class
- Tool budgets are tight; free tiers + student discounts matter
- Group project coordination across different time zones + tool preferences
- Note-taking system choice (Notion vs Obsidian vs Apple Notes) is a religious war
- Distraction management — same device for learning + entertainment
What to prioritize when picking a tool
- Note-taking + knowledge management (Notion, Obsidian, Apple Notes, RemNote, Logseq)
- AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity) for research + drafts
- Spaced repetition (Anki, RemNote, Quizlet) for memorization
- Productivity suite (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) — free with .edu
- Citation manager (Zotero, Mendeley) for research papers
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stock assets tool for students in 2026?
Unsplash ranks first in our stock assets list for students, rated 4.8/5 across 107 verified user reviews. Strong runners-up are Pexels, Mockup World, Burst.
Are there free stock assets tools for students?
Yes. Unsplash, Pexels, Mockup World offer a free or freemium plan that fits students.
How did we pick these stock assets tools?
We filtered our database of 70 stock assets tools to keep only those that match students: free pricing. The remaining 12 are ranked by editorial score and external signals (G2/Capterra review volume, media mentions, featured status).
What features should students look for in stock assets software?
Based on our analysis of the top picks, prioritize: free high-res photos, api access, collections, community contributions. These are common to the highest-rated tools in this list.
How often is this list updated?
We refresh editorial scores and pricing weekly. Tool pricing is re-checked on a rotation that touches every tool roughly monthly. The list above was generated on September 19, 2026.