Making interesting YouTube Shorts is all about grabbing the viewer’s attention quickly—with catchy audio, bright images, and effective editing. However, using copyrighted materials can get you into deep trouble, ranging from takedown to demonetization. That is why you should make your Shorts based on copyright-free clips.
Fortunately, there exist tools and platforms that offer you royalty-free, high-resolution footage you can use legally in your projects. Throughout this article, we’re going to look at the top 8 tools to procure and use copyright-free video for YouTube Shorts—beginning with the most powerful combination tool of all.
1. CapCut Desktop Video Editor
Ideal for: Searching, editing, and improving copyright-free video—all under one roof.
It is not only a video editor but a one-stop creative tool for YouTube Shorts makers. The desktop version of CapCut has the convenience of browsing, importing, and editing copyright-free stock video all at one place, i.e., the editor.
Key Features
Integrated library of built-in video clips: CapCut Desktop has an enormous library of royalty-free video, photo, and audio effects that can be used commercially, ideal to be used with YouTube Shorts.
Shorts Templates: It comes equipped with pre-designed templates created specifically for vertical Shorts, Reels, and TikToks.
AI Features: Everything from background removal to auto-captions to text-to-speech, the intelligent capabilities of CapCut make your work easier.
Even novices can trim, split, animate, and stylize clips with the ease of drag-and-drop functionality.
The software allows you to browse for stock clips based on keywords, then drag the clips into your timeline to immediately begin editing. You don’t have to download the footage yourself or bother with licensing CapCut does it all for you.
2. Pexels
Ideal for: Stunning cinematic and lifestyle footage
Pexels is a highly regarded website that provides free, royalty-free images and free video footage. Everything is free to use personally or commercially under the permissive Pexels license, with no need to attribute.
With genres like nature, tech, cityscapes, and slow motion, the platform is good enough for professionals who demand professionalism at an affordable price tag. Even vertical videos that are suitable for Shorts are part of the platform.
3. Pixabay
Ideal for: Flexibility and diversity
Pixabay is another consistent website that has an enormous collection of images, videos, and music. All video material is licensed under the Pixabay License, which you can use free of charge—even commercially—without having to attribute anything.
Whether you are creating Shorts regarding animals, travel, DIY tutorials, or tech explainers, you can find helpful content here. Pixabay is also integrated to sync with certain video editors and Canva to be imported readily.
4. Mixkit
Ideal for: Fast, innovative, and trendy clips
Mixkit is a treasure trove of short-form content that creators can use. It has free, high-resolution video clips, curated sets, and even platform-specific templates. All the videos at Mixkit are free to use for commercial purposes with no sign up at all.
Popular genres are fitness, business, lifestyle, and food. They are short, catchy, and powerful—ideal to cut into Shorts with seamless cuts.
5. Videvo
Best suited for: A combination of free and premium motion graphics
From free HD and 4K footage to real-world footage, motion graphics, and animations, you can find thousands of free stock videos here. Some of the footage is under the condition that you give proper attribution (Creative Commons 3.0), while the others are under Videvo’s royalty-free license.
Ensure that you filter your results to display only “free clips” and double check the terms of use before you download anything.
🔗 Visit Videvo
6. Coverr
Ideal for: Contemporary, crisp video content for influencers and brands
Coverr has stylish, up-to-date video footage geared specifically toward web and mobile content creation. It’s an excellent source to look to for finding footage that looks current—suitable for producers who desire a sophisticated, high-end look to the Shorts.
All Coverr videos can be used free of charge for commercial and personal work, with no requirement of crediting the creators.
🔗 Go to Coverr
7. Dareful
Ideal for: 4K video capture of landscapes and nature
Looking to make your Shorts stand out with beautiful 4K visuals? Dareful is your destination. All the material published on Dareful sits under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license, so you can use it for commercial purposes provided you attribute the author.
The majority of the footage is outdoors, nature, and landscape shots—ideal for meditative or narrative Shorts.
8. Archive.org (The Internet Archive)
Ideal for use with: Historical, classic, and documentary materials
The Internet Archive is the largely forgotten treasure that contains thousands of public domain and Creative Commons-licensed videos. You can access vintage commercials, vintage newsreels, public service announcements, and silent movies.
Some video footage is genuinely public domain (no rights reserved), but others can be subject to attribution or further checking—so double-check the license before using the clip.
Bonus Tip: Double-Check the Licensing
Even with the use of “free” or “copyright-free” video sources, you should:
- Read the license terms before downloading or publishing.
- Provide attribution where necessary
- Edit and include original aspects such as voiceovers, animation, or text to distinguish your Shorts and prevent detection as duplicates.
Why This Matters to YouTube Shorts Creators
YouTube Shorts are a rapidly expanding format, so the competition is stiff. Working with copyright-free video means that you’ve got a safe, legal platform to work with no restrictions. You can tell a narrative, give your opinion on a product, or you can simply add pizazz to a meme—these tools deliver all you need to thrive.
Among all the above, CapCut Desktop Video Editor is exceptional due to the fact that it simplifies the whole process altogether. You have access to video clips, editing tools, audio effects, and export settings tuned to Shorts all under one free platform. If you are committed to producing content, using CapCut as your starting platform places you at an enormous advantage
Final words
Finding copyright-free video footage for YouTube Shorts is no longer time-wasting or confusing anymore. With platforms like CapCut, Pexels, Pixabay, and others, you now have access to an array of incredible footage at your fingertips with just a few taps. Begin discovering, get creative, and concentrate on what is most important—producing compelling content that others wish to watch.