123RF stands out as one of the best stock photo sites, offering a plethora of high-quality images. And while it offers various subscription plans, there’s always the appeal of trying before buying. This is where the 123RF free trial comes in handy. Just like one would be cautious before diving into a software subscription, it’s a smart move to familiarize oneself with a stock photo platform before committing. (It’s always recommended to read the terms thoroughly to understand the limitations and scope of any free trial.) A trial run helps you gauge the platform’s content quality, ease of use, and search functionality.
123RF free trial at a glance
- Duration: 7 days
- Cost: Free, $19/mo or $99/yr after ending
- Perks: Unlimited (100 per day) downloads of 100M+ stock photos
Pros:
- Unlimited downloads
- Free and risk-free if you cancel in time
Cons:
- Only available with the PLUS plan, which gives you a limited selection of stock photos (100M instead of 210M)
- Relatively short (others are 30 days)
How to get a 123RF free trial?
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Open 123rf.com in your favorite browser.
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Click PRICING in the top right corner. You can usually also find the free trial right on the homepage.
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Find the PLUS Plan and click the yellow Start free trial button.
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Check that the free trial is activated in the right sidebar and that the Total equals $0.00. If it doesn’t, enter the 123RF coupon code for the free trial FREEPLUS.
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Enter the rest of your billing information. Don’t worry; you won’t get billed if you cancel before the free trial ends.
How to cancel the 123RF free trial
If you do not want to pay the subscription fee ($99/yr), you must cancel the free trial before it ends. If you forget to cancel, you are eligible for a full refund within 3 days, provided you haven’t downloaded anything. After 3 days, or if you downloaded any images, the amount of your refund will be adjusted accordingly.
- Go to 123RF.com
- Click “My Account” in the top right corner.
- Select “My Purchased Plan“
- Cancel Auto-Renewal
For additional information, read the 123RF terms or get in touch with their customer support.
How to get 123RF images for free?
To find 123RF free photos, use the search bar filter when browsing. By adjusting the filter settings, you can curate your search results to display only the free content. Alternatively, there’s a more direct route: click on the ‘Free Image’ link here, where we already set the filter for you. The library’s free content is distinctively marked with a ‘FREE’ label in a bold yellow hue on the top right corner of the content.

After pinpointing a particular image or vector you’re interested in, the downloading process is straightforward. By clicking on the image, you’ll be directed to a page with its details. Here, an evident ‘Free Download’ sign will be present, typically on the right or beneath the image, contingent on the screen size you’re using. For added convenience, 123RF even allows for automatic cropping, tailoring the image to popular social media dimensions.
However, note that to download any of the 2 million free stock photos, 2D vectors, and 3D illustrations, you’ll need to be logged into a 123RF account. If you’re a first-time visitor, registration is free and uncomplicated. For those who’ve previously set up an account, simply signing in will bring you to the next step.
Once logged in, you are presented with a choice between three file formats: JPG, PNG, or WEBP. After picking the desired format, the download initiates immediately.
Licensing terms of the 123RF free images
One of the pressing concerns when using stock content is ensuring you adhere to licensing agreements. For content marked under the 123RF FREE category, you get the liberty to use them for both commercial and non-commercial projects.
Yet, it’s imperative to remember the importance of attribution. Every piece of content on the platform is a result of someone’s effort and creativity, and acknowledging this by providing the necessary credits is both ethical and required.
Best alternatives to the 123RF free trial
Although 123RF free trial is an excellent way to test the waters, it’s not the best stock photo free trial. Others will give you a longer trial period of 30 days and a larger selection of images to download. Here are our top picks:
- Shutterstock: You can get 10 free images, 1 video, or 2 audio tracks. The free trial lasts 30 days and saves you $29. Our guide to Shutterstock free trial »
- Adobe Stock: You can get 10, 25, or even 40 free images. Alternatively, you can opt for 3 or 6 HD videos. The free trial lasts 30 days and saves you between $30 and $80. Our guide to Adobe Stock free trial »
- Envato Elements: The free trial was sadly removed, but you can get 12 free files each month. Our guide to Envato Elements free trial »
- iStock: You can get 10 free images. The free trial lasts 30 days and saves you $29. Our guide to iStock free trial »
- Depositphotos: Get 10 free images during the first 7 days. Our guide to Depositphotos free trial »