Burst

Burst is Shopify’s free stock-photo library, aimed especially at entrepreneurs and the designers, developers and bloggers who work with them. It is a sensible choice for commercial projects needing adaptable imagery without attribution, but less suitable when the goal is to resell the original photo files.

Overview

Burst brings together thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free images contributed by photographers around the world. Its free access and commercial-use permission make it a useful source for store owners, publishers and other creators who need imagery without paying for a stock-photo plan.

The main qualification is the license: users may not sell unaltered licensed content as digital photo files, and unlawful uses are prohibited. Editing options help adapt images to a project, but do not remove those restrictions. Burst is therefore best for using photos in a finished design or business context, not for repackaging and selling the files themselves.

Key features

Burst provides high- and low-resolution download options. The choice is practical: use a larger file when image detail matters, or a smaller one when a lighter download better suits the intended placement. Users can crop, resize, add text or filters, and make other modifications, giving them several ways to tailor a photo rather than using it unchanged.

Commercial use is permitted without attribution, and Burst says its photos can be used on any online store platform or ecommerce marketplace. That makes the library relevant beyond Shopify merchants, including businesses selling through other services. The global contributor community supplies thousands of images, though the platform is still a photo library rather than a paid service with a stated quota or seat structure.

Burst’s terms place site, application and content use under Shopify’s Privacy Policy. Account holders are responsible for securing their passwords and for activity under their accounts. Questions about the terms can be directed to Shopify support.

Pricing

Burst’s Free plan costs nothing. It includes free stock photos, high- and low-resolution downloads, and commercial use. There is no free trial because access is already free, and no paid plan is part of the stated offering. For an individual creator or a small business that needs stock photos without a subscription charge, this is a clear advantage; users should still follow the restrictions on unaltered digital-file sales and unlawful use.

Platforms

Burst is available on the web. Its photos can be used on online stores and ecommerce marketplaces across platforms, but that broad content-use permission should not be confused with additional Burst apps or integrations.

Who it's for

Burst is a strong fit for entrepreneurs, merchants, designers, developers and bloggers who need editable photos for commercial work and value avoiding attribution requirements. It also suits users who want to choose between high- and low-resolution files. Look elsewhere if the project depends on selling the original licensed photo as a digital file, or if unlawful content use is intended.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The Free plan includes stock photos, two resolution choices and commercial-use rights at no cost, so a user can source images without a subscription cost.
• Pro: Cropping, resizing, text, filters and other modifications allow photos to be adapted to a particular project.
• Pro: Attribution is not required, and the photos may be used on ecommerce platforms beyond Shopify.
• Con: Selling unaltered licensed images as digital photo files is prohibited, limiting use for anyone building a resale catalog from the originals.
• Con: The offering is web-based, so users seeking a dedicated mobile platform should consider an alternative.

Alternatives

Pixabay is another free option, with Android, iOS, web and API access; its full-resolution photo and video downloads require sign-up. Choose it when those platforms or video downloads matter alongside a free library.

Pexels offers free photos and videos across Android, iOS, web, an extension and an API. Its free plan includes API limits of 200 requests per hour and 20,000 requests per month, making it a better fit for users who need video or API access.

Vecteezy has free and paid options, including an Image Only plan with five image downloads and one bundle, and an Unlimited All Access plan with unlimited downloads and one bundle. Consider it when those download-plan structures better match your needs.

Stockvault offers free image downloads, with usage governed by each image’s license. It is an alternative when you are prepared to check individual image permissions.

VectorStock is a freemium, web-based alternative focused on vector purchases; its Pay-per-Image plan is $14.99 a month, billed as a one-time payment for each vector, with a single-vector purchase and Pro license included. Choose it when vector assets and that purchase model are preferable to Burst’s photo library.

Pikwizard offers a free plan for personal and commercial use. It is another option for users seeking a free image source.

Yay Images is a freemium web option with a 50 Credits plan at $50 a month, billed as a one-time payment. Its other plans include one seat or five downloads per day, so consider it when those terms suit the project.

IMAGO is a paid web and API alternative offering rights-managed and royalty-free image options. Consider it when those licensing categories are a better fit.

For more options, browse Stock Photo Websites.

Verdict

Burst is a good choice for entrepreneurs and other creators who want free, commercially usable photos they can edit and use without attribution, including on non-Shopify ecommerce platforms. Its strongest case is the combination of free access, resolution choices and modification options. Choose another source if you need a mobile app, or if selling unaltered photo files is central to your use.