Royalty-free images are pictures you can buy or download for a one-time fee. Once you have them, you can use the pictures multiple times without paying extra. It's a cost-effective way to get good-quality images for websites, ads, or other projects. Just be sure to follow any rules about using the images, usually explained in the license agreement.
No, royalty-free images are not necessarily “free” in terms of cost. The term "royalty-free" means you don't have to pay ongoing royalties or additional fees each time you use the image after obtaining a license. However, you typically need to pay a one-time fee to purchase the license for the image.
Free images are also available online, often called "public domain" or "creative commons" images. These images may have fewer usage restrictions, but it's essential to check and comply with the specific terms associated with each image.