According to the Atlantic, there are 1.8 billion images uploaded to the internet per day. It’s something we do without thinking about the space on the internet required for our photos.
Free image hosting sites allow us to take advantage of their hosting system to upload our images to the internet for free.
Most people take this for granted, but these free image hosting sites offer us not only to upload the images but also to store them onto the server and have them accessible at any time.
Whether you’re trying to free up some space on your phone or a computer, or you’re for a platform to share your images with anyone using the internet, here is my list of the top 25 best free image hosting sites!
25 Best Free Image Hosting Sites
You probably know about half of these hosting sites, but the chances are you don’t know all the benefits. That’s what I’m helping you learn by reviewing some of the best free image hosting sites below.
1. Google Photos
Google Photos is the most known image hosting site which is well incorporated into Google’s Suite of tools such as Gmail, Docs, and others.
What’s so great about Google Photos is that they automatically categorize your photos in albums so you don’t have to do all the hard work.
On top of that, you get up to 15 GB of free storage to store your photos. While other sites offer more storage space, a huge benefit of Google Photo is that it syncs your photos with your Google account so you can quickly access them and share them anywhere, including Gmail.
Along with the storage, Google Photos offers a convenient editor suitable for quick edits which are free for use. It also comes with an app that makes it super-simple to free up some space on your smartphone by uploading the photos online.
2. Imgur
If you ever felt like you had to share a photo with someone and yet you didn’t know a way, Imgur was always there.
But not many people know that Imgur is a platform that can make your photos viral as you can share them with the world in only a couple of clicks.
If you prefer keeping your photos private, that’s also something you can do using Imgur as you will have unlimited image storage space.
Another great advantage of Imgur is that it supports GIFs so you can share animated photos or store them for later use along with your regular photos.
3. Flickr
When you take photography to the next level and you are trying to get exposure, Flickr is the right platform to use.
Not everyone knows that Flickr is one of the oldest image platforms on the internet, yet it’s also the right site for photographers who are looking for exposure.
Using Flickr, you can upload your most amazing photos and share them with the world, or you can keep all of your photos private, it’s totally up to you.
You will only need to create an account but keep in mind that you will have a 1,000-photo limit.
On the bright side, Flickr provides editing tools integrated into the platform which can help you enhance your photos as you make connections with other aspiring photographers (or keep them private for later browsing).
4. Dropbox
Dropbox can be confusing for some people as it’s a platform that allows you to store all kinds of files.
However, once you create an account, you will have the ability to store your images in one “box” that is kept safe on the internet (known as the cloud).
Therefore, if you’re looking for a perfect place to store your precious photos and keep them all in one place, Dropbox is a great place.
I should also mention that Dropbox allows an app that makes photo storing easier, but also enables you to share your photos with others or access them at any time.
However, one thing you should keep in mind is that the maximum image storage is only 2 GB.
5. Wix
Most people know Wix as a website hosting and builder, but you’d be surprised that Wix also offers free unlimited image storage online.
However, Wix uses a different type of approach. To upload and store your photos online, you will have to create a free Wix website and use a theme that will display your photos right on the website.
Therefore, Wix can help you display your photos online in a type of website. From there, it’s up to you if you’d like to share your little photo storing website or keep it for yourself.
On top of that, you can also optimize your website for search engines so you can be found on the internet, or even make a store out of your website and start selling your photos. If not, there is also an option to keep a private album only you can access.
Wix is easy to use as it’s fully customizable and it’s a gem many people overlook.
6. Amazon Photos
Amazon Photos is very similar to Google Photos. It allows you to download the app and store your photos online for free.
The service is free and you will get 5 GB of photo and video storage and you can easily connect it to both your smartphone and your computer.
Even though storage space is quite minimal, the greatest thing about Amazon Photos is that you get to personalize them, print them, and have them delivered to your home for an affordable price.
It’s a convenient image storage option that allows you to easily turn your digital photos into physical photos.
7. Pixabay
Pixabay is very similar to Flickr as it’s an image hosting platform that also provides a sense of community.
However, the catch is that Pixabay is an image hosting platform where users mostly post stock-free high-quality images that can be used by publishers.
The platform requires you to stick to the image guidelines, and you can only upload 100 images per day.
This might not be an ideal image hosting platform for everyone, but it’s a great fit for people who produce high-quality stock-free photos to gain organic exposure.
8. Photobucket
Photobucket is also known as TinyPic’s sister site. After TinyPic shut down, Photobucket became the number one website for photographers who are looking for the best image publishing platform.
Once you upload your images to Photobucket, you can decide if you’d like to share them with the community or keep them strictly private.
One advantage of Photobucket is that they don’t enhance your photos to meet any guidelines as they believe in the originality of the photographs.
Whether you’re looking to create a digital portfolio for free, share your work to receive feedback, or keep your photos strictly for yourself, Photobucket allows you to store up to 250 images for free.
9. SmugMug
SmugMug is considered to be a combination of Wix and Flickr as it allows users to create their hosting portfolio where they can display all of their images.
With that being said, I believe SmugMug is suitable for photographers or anyone who has high-end quality images that they’d like to display. Whether you’d like to display them for yourself or for others to see, that’s totally up to you.
But one thing to be aware of is that SmugMug only provides a trial that allows you to create and set up your image portfolio. After that, it’s only $5.99 a month.
This might be ideal for someone who’s looking to sell their photos or make them suitable for printing as SmugMug also integrates the eCommerce aspect and print-on-demand into its service.
10. 500px
500px is a great SmugMug alternative that operates similarly and yet is fully free.
You should also know that 500px serves as a marketplace for photos, so you can sell your photos if you decide to.
You can share the photos with the community, fellow photographers, and anyone else, or you can keep them private all for yourself.
One thing to keep in mind is that you get to upload only 20 images per week.
11. ImageShack
ImageShack is a platform that’s very similar to Pinterest which is aimed at photo lovers and photographers of all levels.
With the help of the mobile app, you get to upload and edit images directly to ImageShack using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
All you need to do is create an account and you will be able to upload up to 10GB of photos per month.
With access to a free image resizer, editor, and easy sharing ability, ImageShack is one of many places that’s happy to store your photos for display or personal use.
12. DeviantArt
DeviantArt is a free image hosting platform that’s aimed at artists and it encourages abstract photography creations.
However, as a user, you can upload anything you like whether or not it fits into the community.
You get to upload as many photos as you wish as there’s no storage limit, but keep in mind that an image can’t exceed 30 MB in size.
As a DeviantArt user, you can share your photos with the community of 44 million members, or simply keep your photos and creations to yourself.
By the looks, DeviantArt is very similar to Imgur, and yet you get to create your portfolio where you can store and even try to sell your photos.
13. Pexels
Pexels is a platform that’s very similar to Pixabay as it allows you to upload your photos, but they have to meet the platform’s standard.
Therefore, Pexels is often used as a marketplace for free stock photos and videos that are shared between creators and publishers.
Pexels also features a community aspect to it so you can display your photos in front of millions which allows you to benefit from organic exposure and traffic to your portfolio, blog, or social media channels.
I consider it to be a trade-type of a platform where you offer your photos for free and benefit in return when everyone publishes your photos elsewhere as you get the credit.
Another great thing is that you get to upload as many photos as you have, as long as they meet the guidelines and standards of the platform.
14. Unsplash
Unsplash is best understood as an image library where anyone can contribute high-quality photos.
It’s very similar to Pexels and Pixabay as you have no limit on the storage you can use, but you have to ensure your photos meet the guidelines and standards of the platform.
In return for offering your images free to the community and publishers, you get credit and free exposure to your blog, website, or social profiles.
15. ImgBB
ImgBB reminds me of a simplified version of Dropbox. It allows you to upload as many photos as you wish and have them stored at ImgBB for as long as you wish.
The only limit you will have is that each of your photos can’t exceed 16 MB in size.
A great advantage of the platform is a minimalistic approach which allows you to upload images with only a couple of clicks.
You won’t even have to create an account to start uploading images, but if you’d like to keep them organized, I recommend creating an account.
16. PostImage
Postimage is a very convenient image hosting site that allows you to upload as many images as you wish, as long as they’re under 16 MB in size.
When you upload your image, you can also resize it, and decide for how long you’d like to have it posted.
You can also upload images with no expiration date which allows you to store all of your images online without worrying about privacy.
Postimage also provides sharing the link so you can quickly share some of your images with anyone on the internet.
17. Icedrive
Icedrive is more of a storage company that allows you to store any type of files with a limitation of 10 GB of free storage.
This upload service reminds me of Dropbox as it works similarly.
However, the biggest advantage of Icedrive is encrypted storage which ensures that your photos won’t be accessible by anyone other than you.
On top of that, you can share, showcase, and even collaborate with others using the files you’ve uploaded.
With an option to use Icedrive as an app, you get access to your files and collaboration even when you’re on the go.
18. PhotoBlog
If you ever wanted to create a photography blog yet didn’t know how to, PhotoBlog is the right image hosting platform for your needs.
PhotoBlog allows you to create your blog-type portfolio where you can upload, organize, and share your photos with anyone on the internet.
You get to upload 20 photos per week and yet you won’t have any guidelines to follow or strict photo size to follow.
However, keep in mind that PhotoBlog is more focused on photographs rather than other types of images.
If you have beautiful photographs you’d like to share with others, PhotoBlog can help you get exposure and even drive traffic to your social media (or any other links).
If you’re looking for an image hosting platform that doesn’t only allow you to upload and store your images, but even provides great sharing options, ImgShare is a great choice.
ImgShare allows you to quickly upload as many images as you wish. As an unregistered user, you’ll have to ensure your photo doesn’t exceed 32 MB in size, but as a registered user, this limit is lifted to a 512 MB limit per photo.
Another benefit of creating a free account is that you get to create albums and organize your uploaded images.
However, one of the best advantages of ImgShare isn’t only the ability to store your photos online without a limit, but it’s the ability to share them.
ImgShare allows you to have direct links to your images, but even create BBCode or HTML thumbnails so you can integrate your images on other sites such as blogs.
20. FreeImages
FreeImages is one of many stock-free platforms that allows you to download or publish your images online.
It works very similarly to Unsplash and Pexels as it allows you to upload photos without any storage limits as long as your images meet the platform’s standards.
A great advantage is that you won’t even have to create an account, but you’ll have to ensure every one of your photos doesn’t exceed 200 MB in size.
Keep in mind that your images will be shared with the community so it’s not the platform if you’re not looking to gain organic exposure by storing your photos online.
21. Imgbox
Imgbox is one of the fastest and the most convenient image uploading platforms that offers unlimited storage space and time.
The only limit is that each one of your photos shouldn’t exceed 10 MB in size.
You won’t even have to register an account to start uploading, and the whole uploading process is done in only three clicks.
A great advantage is that you can also upload and store videos. Image organization could be improved, but sharing capability is decent.
22. Cluster
If you’re looking for an image hosting platform that will keep your photos private and yet only enable you private photo sharing, Cluster is what you’re looking for.
Cluster is an easy-to-use image hosting platform that can be accessed via a web browser or an app that improves convenience.
The biggest advantage is that there’s no limit on how many photos you can upload, as long as every photo you upload stays under 10 MB in size.
Another great benefit is that you can create albums to organize the images, but also have the ability to invite family members or friends into the albums.
23. iCloud
iCloud is a cloud-based storage service that comes integrated into every iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer/laptop which makes it a convenient image hosting platform for Apple users.
If you own any of the devices mentioned earlier, you can benefit from up to 5 GB of free iCloud storage.
Other than photos, you can also upload videos and other types of files. Other than the integration into one of the most popular devices most people use daily, iCloud also offers collaboration and easy-sharing via the link or apps such as Pages or Keynotes.
24. ImageVenue
ImageVenue is a practical image hosting platform that offers unlimited storage for your photos.
However, there are two things you need to be aware of. ImageVenue only stores JPG and JPEG image formats, and the maximum size per image is only 6 MB.
If that’s not an issue for you, you’ll love how easy it is to use the platform and upload photos in bulk.
Being able to upload images in bulk is ImageVenue’s biggest advantage as it makes it suitable for anyone who’s looking to free up space on their devices, but also for anyone who’s looking to share multiple photos of products.
25. Free Image Hosting
Free Image Hosting is a very convenient image hosting platform that might not get regular updates but is very efficient at storing photos online.
To upload your images on the File Image Hosting platform, you won’t even have to create an account and yet you won’t have any sort of limits.
The organization is decent but where Free Image Hosting platform excels at is the sharing ability. With each photo upload, you get an HTML code and link that you can use to either share the photo or integrate it into a website such as a blog.
Even though it’s the last option, it’s not the least. It allows you to upload an unlimited number of images, no matter the size, and have them hosted online forever without even having to create an account, now, this is incredible.
Conclusion
With so many options, image hosting platforms started taking different approaches and directions which provide many more options for users.
The great thing is that all of these image hosting sites are free, but they don’t always work in the same way.
This means that you have plenty of choices so go through each option and pick the one that suits your needs!
