Burst By Shopify Review: The Best Free Stock Photo Platform?

Finding high-quality, free stock photos for your online store or marketing materials can be a challenge for many business owners. Burst by Shopify aims to solve this issue by offering a vast library of professional, royalty-free images to help brands create visually appealing content without breaking the bank. 

In this review, we’ll explore everything about Burst by Shopify, including its main features, pricing, user reviews, pros & cons, etc., to see if this stock photo platform is the right fit for your brand’s visual needs. Let's begin now!

What is Burst by Shopify?

Burst by Shopify is a free stock photo platform launched in 2017 that offers a diverse library of high-quality images for commercial use. It offers a diverse range of photos, from product-focused shots to lifestyle images, all designed to help brands elevate their online presence. Moreover, Burst provides entrepreneurs, bloggers, and businesses with access to professional-grade photos to enhance their websites, marketing materials, and social media content. 

In my experience, Burst has been an incredibly valuable resource for finding unique, professional images that align well with various eCommerce niches, making it ideal for anyone looking to enhance their brand’s visual appeal without added costs.

Why should you choose Burst for your online store?

Choosing the right stock photo platform can make a big difference in your brand’s visual appeal and budget management. Based on my own experience using Burst by Shopify, I’m sharing the main reasons why it’s a powerful tool for businesses looking to elevate their visuals with ease and without extra costs:

• It's completely free: This is a huge advantage, especially for startups or businesses on a tight budget. You get access to a library of professional-grade photos without any cost. In my view, this removes a significant barrier for businesses that want to use high-quality visuals but can't afford expensive stock photo subscriptions.
• Extensive Image Library: Burst offers thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free images across various categories, such as fashion, technology, and lifestyle. This diversity makes it easy to find visuals that align with your brand's aesthetic. In my experience, the breadth of categories ensures that there's always a relevant image available, regardless of the niche.
• High-resolution images: Burst offers images suitable for various online and print purposes. I've tested their images and found the quality to be excellent, comparable to paid stock photo sites. This ensures your website and marketing materials look professional and visually appealing.
• Easy Integration with Shopify: For Shopify users, Burst integrates seamlessly, enabling the direct addition of images to your online store. This integration streamlines the process of updating product photos or enhancing website visuals, saving valuable time.
• Easy to use: The website is intuitive and straightforward. I had no trouble navigating, searching for images, and downloading them quickly. This user-friendly experience saves time and effort.
• Regular Updates: The platform is frequently updated with new images, ensuring access to fresh and trending visuals. This regular influx of content helps keep marketing materials current and engaging.
• Contributor Opportunities: Photographers can contribute to Burst, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives and styles. This feature not only enriches the image library but also supports the creative community.

Burst By Shopify’s Pros and Cons

What to explore with the Burst by Shopify

While exploring Burst by Shopify, I found it to be much more than just a stock photo site—it’s a complete resource for creative inspiration and business growth. I’d love to share the key areas you can explore to make the most of this platform, from curated collections to helpful resources:

• Collections: Burst provides curated image collections across various categories, such as Animals, Fashion, and Technology. This organization simplifies the process of finding relevant images for specific themes or industries. In my experience, these collections are thoughtfully assembled, making it easy to locate high-quality visuals that align with diverse project needs.

• New Photos: The platform is regularly updated with fresh images, ensuring access to the latest visuals that reflect current trends and seasons. This continuous addition of content helps keep marketing materials and websites up-to-date and engaging. I find this feature particularly beneficial for maintaining a dynamic and contemporary visual presence.

• Business Ideas: Burst offers a section dedicated to business ideas, providing inspiration and guidance for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their ventures. This resource includes insights into various industries and potential product ideas, serving as a valuable starting point for business planning. Personally, I appreciate how this feature combines visual inspiration with practical business advice, fostering creativity and strategic thinking.

• Resources: The platform includes a range of resources, such as articles and guides on topics like photography techniques, social media strategies, and marketing tips. These materials are designed to help users effectively utilize visuals in their branding and promotional efforts. From my perspective, these resources are informative and actionable, providing clear steps to enhance visual content and overall marketing strategies.

How to use Burst by Shopify | A beginner guide

If this is your first time experiencing the Burst by Shopify, let me help you quickly get used to this platform with the detailed guide below:

• Step 1: Access Burst by Shopify here.
• Step 2: At Burst homepage, you can refer to the area you wish to explore, like Collections, New photos, Business ideas, or Resources. Here, I will choose to explore the collections that I like to find the images (like Food).

• Step 3: At this section, you can utilize the search bar to input the keyword related to your wanted images (for instance, I will type in “fried chicken” to search for the related images).

• Step 4: Now you can choose your wanted images that Burst generates from your search above. As soon as having found the right photo, make sure that you choose the appropriate quality (photo size) based on your demand (like High resolution or Low resolution). Then, click on the Download free photo button to grab the image.

• Step 5: Now, you can apply the chosen image to your Shopify pages, blogs, social media, news, etc. to create a professional and engaging experience for your storefront.

Pricing 

Good news! Burst by Shopify remains completely free to use as per the latest update in 2024. There are no hidden fees, subscription plans, or limitations on downloads. You can access their entire library of high-quality stock photos without any cost.

User rating

Burst by Shopify has received lots of positive feedback from users, particularly for its ease of use and the quality of its high-resolution, royalty-free images. On G2, a reputable software review platform, Burst holds an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 ⭐, based on 42 user reviews.

Here's a summary of the latest feedback for Burst that I have collected:

Positive feedback:

• High-quality images: Users consistently praise the quality and resolution of the images, finding them suitable for professional use.
• Free and easy to use: The free access and user-friendly interface are major highlights for many users.
• Diverse selection: Users appreciate the wide range of categories and styles available, making it easy to find relevant images.
• Business-oriented: The focus on business and entrepreneurship resonates with many users, who find the images particularly relevant to their needs.
• Time-saving: The readily available images save users time and effort compared to sourcing photos elsewhere.

Negative feedback:

• Limited selection compared to paid sites: While Burst offers a good selection, it naturally can't compete with the vast libraries of paid stock photo sites.
• Occasional repetition: Some users have noticed the same images appearing on multiple websites, which can be a concern for those seeking unique visuals.

Customer support 

Burst by Shopify doesn't have dedicated customer support channels in the traditional sense. There's no live chat, phone support, or even a dedicated email address specifically for Burst inquiries.

However, here are some ways you can find help or get your questions answered:

• Shopify Help Center: While not Burst-specific, the Shopify Help Center has a wealth of information on various topics, including some that might be relevant to using Burst images. You can search for articles or browse their knowledge base.
• Shopify Community Forums: The Shopify Community forums are a great place to connect with other Shopify users and potentially find answers to your questions about Burst. You can search for existing discussions or post your own questions.
• Social Media: You can try reaching out to Shopify on their social media channels (Twitter, Facebook) and see if they can direct you to the right resources. However, there's no guarantee of a response.

Alternatives for Burst by Shopify

Based on my experience, having multiple stock photo sources provides flexibility and access to a wider variety of images, which can elevate the look and feel of any project. I’ve found these alternatives to Burst helpful for finding unique visuals and specific content types that suit different brand needs, so I wanted to share them to expand your creative options:

• Unsplash: Unsplash is a popular free stock photo platform known for its large library of high-quality, professional images across a wide range of categories. It’s an excellent alternative to Burst due to its user-friendly interface and variety, making it easy to find unique visuals that suit various branding needs.

• Pexels: Pexels offers free, high-resolution photos and videos, which can be used for personal or commercial projects without attribution. With an extensive collection and a simple search tool, Pexels is a versatile alternative for businesses looking for fresh, royalty-free visuals that are easy to navigate and download.
• Pixabay: Pixabay provides a vast library of free photos, illustrations, vector graphics, and videos, all available for commercial use. This platform stands out as an alternative to Burst by offering a diverse selection of visual content, including graphics and videos that can add depth to your online content.
• StockSnap.io: StockSnap.io specializes in free stock photos with a focus on quality and trending themes, making it a useful choice for marketing materials. It’s a strong alternative to Burst for users who need frequently updated, high-resolution images in a variety of niches without licensing restrictions.

• Canva: Canva’s design platform includes a library of free and premium stock photos, along with tools for editing and customizing images to fit your brand. This combination of stock images and design features makes Canva a flexible alternative for those who need both visuals and editing capabilities in one place.
• Adobe Stock Free Collection: Adobe Stock’s Free Collection offers a selection of high-quality, royalty-free images, graphics, and templates curated from Adobe’s extensive library. It’s a great alternative to Burst for those who need professional-grade visuals, with the option to upgrade to a premium collection for more choices.

• Reshot: Reshot is a free stock photo platform focused on non-stocky, authentic images from emerging photographers. It’s a valuable alternative for brands wanting unique, less commercial-looking images to stand out from more traditional stock photo platforms.
• Life of Pix: Life of Pix provides high-resolution, curated photos contributed by photographers, with a strong emphasis on creativity and artistry. This platform is an excellent alternative to Burst for users looking for visually striking, artistic images that have a personal touch.

FAQs about Burst By Shopify

What is Burst?

Burst is a free stock photo platform powered by Shopify, offering thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free images shot by a global community of photographers. It's designed to provide designers, developers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs with access to beautiful free stock photography. 

How do I download free photos with Burst?

To download free photos from Burst, hover over or click on the desired image, then select either the "High Resolution" or "Low Resolution" download option. "Low Res" images are suitable for small web graphics, while "High Res" images are ideal for presentations, websites, and online stores. 

Can I use Burst pictures for another online store platform?

Yes, you can use Burst's photos on any online store platform or e-commerce marketplace. Although they are specifically created and curated with Shopify stores in mind, it's up to you how you want to use them. 

Are these photos free for commercial use?

Yes, all photos on Burst are free for commercial use with no attribution required. You can use them on your online store, product packaging, or anywhere else you'd like. 

Do I need to credit the site or photographer?

While it's not mandatory to provide attribution under Burst's image license, photographers appreciate getting credit for their work as it helps share their photography with more people. You can give credit by linking back to the original photo page or the photographer's Burst profile.

Final words

This article provided an in-depth review of Burst by Shopify, covering its features, pros & cons, usage guide, user rating, etc to provide everything you need to about this free image stock platform. To make the most of Burst, explore its vast library to find images that align with your brand’s aesthetic and enhance your visual content strategy.