Shutterstock

Shutterstock is an industry-leading online provider of stock media such as photos, footage, music, 3D objects, and the wide selection of tools needed to manage this incredible library of stock content.

Try the Shutterstock 10 images/month plan for FREE! Try Now, Cancel Anytime.

Built to satisfy the needs of every creative endeavor, from home projects, school assignments, and business projects of all sizes, it can provide inspiration and core content that can dramatically increase user workflow, elevate production values, and provide direct inspiration to test the creative limits to new heights.



It was formed in 2003 by computer programmer Jon Oringer who first offered access to his private library of stock photos via subscription. The company quickly grew over the years, becoming the leading stock content provider and a public company in 2012.

Get 10 royalty-free image downloads each month with a cost-saving subscription.

Today, almost 20 years after its original launch, Shutterstock for Windows PC proudly hosts more than 500 million royalty-free stock photos, illustrations, and digital art, and more than 10 music tracks and video clips.

In addition to offering individual subscription licenses for each of its main categories of content (photo, music, videos), it also enables users to take advantage of a la carte pricing and a wide array of additional features.

• Worry-free licensing and legal protection
• Audience resonance insights
• AI powered search
• Social sign on with Google or Facebook
• Access to a library of 500 million images
• Creative Flow applications
• Monthly replenishment of downloads
• Industry-based creative insights
• Dedicated customer support

In addition to its main website which hosts its core SaaS marketplace platform, it has also developed its own suite of applications for Android and iOS mobile devices.

Their Shutterstock Instant product allows users to browse large mosaics of photos with the help of advanced search filtering, enabling them to quickly find the perfect content that fits their project needs. The platform also hosts an advanced AI tool for reverse image search.

Visitors to the Shutterstock website can easily discover any piece of content they seek. The site immediately promotes advanced search engine fields, as well as a listing of individual content categories such as Images, Footage, Music, Sound Effects, Vector, Templates, and more.

The template section is especially impressive, offering easy access to professionally crafted projects for Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and many others, that can be easily customized for any creative purpose.



But users don’t get just an option to search and find the content of their choice. Every content page also features a single-click solution for editing, previewing, downloading, and sharing, enabling anyone to test out if the stock photo perfectly fits their needs.

It offers several tiers of subscriptions for each content category it offers – Images, Video, Music, Editorial, and Creative Flow+. Subscriptions are separated not only in the amount of content the user can download per month, but also for access to premium services such as Creative Flow applications, AI-powered search, multiple-user access, API integration, content research tools, license transfers, and more.

An On-Demand option is also present, enabling users to just purchase and download the limited amount of content they need.

Shutterstock Flex

Get the images you need—plus video, music, and creative tools—all in one easy-to-manage plan with Shutterstock FLEX. High-quality content to get your project started. First month free with annual commitment. Bring your ideas to life. Any type of content you need, anytime you need it. Start now.

Shutterstock can be accessed from any modern browser on desktop, laptop, and tablet PCs, as well from inside dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps.



Pricing

Packs - $9.80/image
Ideal for creators with a one-time project

• Single User
• 14K+ design templates, fonts, and logos
• Standard or Enhanced license
• Basic image editing tools

Subscribe & Save - $2.90/image
Ideal for creators needing images on a regular basis

• Monthly replenishment of downloads
• Annual paid monthly
• Single User
• 14K+ design templates, fonts, and logos
• Standard license
• Premium image editing tools

Alternatives

Adobe Stock: Find the perfect stock asset for your next creative project!

Wondershare Filmstock: Millions of Royalty Free Videos, Graphic Assets, Stock Footage & More!

Photoshop AI Photo Editor: Edit images with AI, Generative Fill and Generative Expand.

Midjourney: The Gothic AI Image Generator, a Challenger to the Art Industry.

PROS

• Vast Collection: Shutterstock offers a massive library of images, videos, and music tracks.
• Quality Content: The platform maintains high standards for image and video quality.
• Easy to Use: Its user-friendly interface makes searching, selecting, and downloading content straightforward.
• Licensing Options: Shutterstock provides various licensing options to suit different needs and budgets.
• Global Reach: With contributors from around the world, it offers diverse content representing various cultures and themes.

CONS

• Cost: While it's convenient, Shutterstock can be pricey for individual users or small businesses.
• Limited Exclusivity: Since it's widely used, there's a risk of seeing the same images or videos in other projects.
• Subscription Model: For frequent users, subscription plans are cost-effective, but for occasional users, it might not be the best option.
• Rights Management: Users need to be mindful of licensing terms to avoid copyright issues.
• Customization Limitations: Customizing images or videos may be limited compared to hiring a photographer or videographer for exclusive content.

Also Available: Download Shutterstock for Mac