7 best websites to find images with transparent backgrounds

If you spend a lot of time in Photoshop, you probably often have a need for images with transparent backgrounds. Unfortunately, finding them can be frustrating. Many people think that using Google Image Search to find images with transparent backgrounds will be very easy. Unfortunately, the reality is the opposite. Thankfully, there are several websites that host images with transparent backgrounds, making it easy to find images for your next project.

1. IMBIN.com

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Unfortunately, many websites that host transparent backgrounds impose some pretty strict download limits. Thankfully, IMBIN is not one of them. In fact, there isn't any limit to the number of images you can download at once, as long as you create an account.

However, the IMGBIN website is not as well designed as some of the other sites on this list. The biggest problem seems to stem from the site's search function. This can lead to having to click page after page to find the right image.

2. CleanPNG.com

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The CleanPNG website is, as the name suggests, clean and easy to use. Simply put your search criteria in the search box and you'll find plenty of high-definition images to your liking, all with transparent backgrounds, free to download. The search function is quite accurate. Plus, you can expect some new and better results over time. This is because users can upload their own images with a transparent background. As a result, CleanPNG is constantly growing its image library. Please note that with users tagging their own images, they may not always be 100% accurate.

Additionally, CleanPNG's main page features categories of images that are popular at certain times of the year. For example, at the end of the year you will find collections related to Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Day. These curated collections help you quickly and easily find lots of images to use in your next project.

3. StickPNG.com

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StickPNG is another website that is nothing more than an image with a transparent background. StickPNG's library has it all; but with a strong focus on popular culture images.

There's a standard search bar, and if you scroll down on the main page, you'll find that StickPNG's library of tens of thousands of images has been broken down into several categories. These categories range from cartoons, video games to icons. Clicking on one of these categories allows you to select a subcategory, further narrowing the results. For example, clicking the 'Comics and Fantasy' category will take you to a page where you can further narrow your search by character, such as 'Captain America' or 'Beavis and Butthead'.

4. PNGTree.com

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PNGTree has a huge database of transparent background images. At the time of writing, PNGTree claims to have millions of royalty free PNG images and the number is growing more and more every day. The PNGTree website has the familiar search bar, which also divides the library into categories.

In addition to transparent images, PNGTree also has vector graphics, backgrounds, banners and templates for business cards, certificates, etc. Although everything is free to download and use in personal projects, but still have download limit. To avoid this, you will need a PNGTree premium membership. Choosing to pay gives you a commercial license which means you can use PNGTree resources in commercial projects and unlimited downloads. There are a number of different pricing options, including 3, 6, and 12 month plans, ranging from around $60 to $180. PNGTree also offers a lifetime plan, currently on sale for $199.

5. FavPNG.com

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FavPNG is another website that hosts a lot of transparent images. The site is a bit 'raw' compared to some of the others on this list, but the sheer volume of transparent images available makes up for this weakness.

Like CleanPNG, FavPNG allows users to upload their own images to contribute to the database. As a result, you may end up getting some questionable search results because users incorrectly tagged their images. FavPNG is home to over 16 million transparent images, so you're sure to find what you're looking for.

6. FreePNGs.com

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FreePNGs is a medium sized transparent image database with about 170,000 images. All images found on FreePNGs are free to download and under a Creative Commons license. If you are looking for more 'generic' images, then FreePNGs should definitely be bookmarked.

Like many of the sites on this list, FreePNGs boasts new transparent images being added every day. Additionally, users can upload their own images for the rest of the community to use. To help users sort through their database, FreePNGs has a standard search function and collections are well organized by dividing them into categories.

7. remove.bg

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Unlike the other sites on this list, removebg does not host any images. Instead, this is where there's an online tool that can automatically remove the background from any image. Just upload a photo and with one click, the background of the photo will become transparent in just a few seconds.

Removebg's key tool can identify between the subject of an image - often associated with the foreground - and the background, and then effectively remove the background. Also, removebg can handle difficult parts like hair and other time consuming situations. Best of all, the tool is completely free to use.

Of course, there is a big downside. Any images you process with removebg will be downloaded for free as long as the file size is under 0.25 megapixels. For normal users, this should be fine. However, if you are a photographer or someone who wants higher resolution images (up to 25MP), you will have to shell out some money. In return, the results are very good and you should consider if you often have to deal with images with transparent backgrounds.

Kareem Winters

Update 21 May 2022