The Complete Guide to Shutterstock: Pricing, Reviews and Alternatives

As a professional designer for over 15 years, high-quality stock photos and videos are essential elements in my creative toolkit. I’ve used my fair share of stock media sites and services over the years as well – some good, and some not so much.

In my experience and experts surveys, Shutterstock stands out as the top marketplace today for royalty-free stock images, footage, music and more. I’ve seen first-hand how Shutterstock can make almost any design project easier for creatives and businesses.

That said, I know cost and licensing are big concerns when evaluating stock media options. I also want to provide an honest, balanced review around Shutterstock’s strengths and weaknesses.

So in this detailed guide, I’ll give you an insider’s look at:

• Shutterstock’s history, content library and unique value proposition
• Pricing options for subscriptions vs. pay-as-you-go
• How Shutterstock licensing works
• Shutterstock image quality and reviewer feedback
• Detailed comparisons with leading alternative services
• Tips for new users to maximize value from Shutterstock

Let’s dive in!

A Look Back at Shutterstock’s Origins

It’s incredible to think that Shutterstock has only been around since 2003. Founder Jon Oringer essentially pioneered the high-volume stock media subscription model we know today.

Jon bootstrapped Shutterstock’s initial 30,000 image library himself as a side project before quickly scaling. The key innovation was allowing customers to pay a monthly fee for unlimited downloads. This made quality stock photography more affordable and accessible than ever before.

Within a few years, Jon had built one of the internet’s largest stock content collections. He also grew a contributor base earning royalties on their submitted work.

Over the past 20 years, Shutterstock has cemented itself as the premier stock media marketplace globally. Just take a look at some mind-blowing stats:

• 410 million+ royalty-free stock images as of January 2023
• Over 1.5 million HD & 4K quality video clips
• 21+ million music tracks across every possible genre
• Total content library grows by ~200,000 images daily

It’s my first-hand experience that no other stock media site comes close to the same breadth and depth as Shutterstock today.

But it’s not just about quantity either. Stringent reviewer guidelines and exclusive content partnerships maintain Shutterstock’s reputation for quality and variety.

Let’s explore more about what makes Shutterstock such an invaluable design asset.

Why Creatives Rely on the Shutterstock Catalog

Simply put – Shutterstock provides creatives of all types easy, affordable access to just about any photo, video clip or music track imaginable.

As a designer working across client projects and industries, I need stock media that’s:

• Legally cleared for commercial use
• High resolution for both digital and print
• Stylistically and conceptually diverse
• Consistently updated with fresh content

Checking each of those boxes is a big reason I’m such a fan of Shutterstock. The search experience also makes finding the perfect asset intuitive and efficient every time.

To appreciate the scope and quality of Shutterstock’s catalog, it helps to understand stats around content and contributors:

Impressively, over 1.7+ million creators contribute assets across Shutterstock’s libraries. All contributors go through an application and review process to meet quality standards.

Let’s explore how this volume and variety of content benefits key customer groups.

For Designers & Creatives – Having such a vast searchable image catalog saves me tons of time vs. shooting myself. Finding the perfect photo or video to visually tell a brand’s story is effortless.

For Entrepreneurs & SMBs – Proprietary images help small businesses punch above their weight with polished, professional web and print collateral that resonates.

For Marketers & Agencies – Unique stock media in display ads, social posts and more cuts through the noise to capture more audience attention and engagement.

For Publishers & Media Companies – Fresh photos and videos keep digital publications and blogs compelling and share-worthy while controlling costs.

The beauty of Shutterstock is making quality custom shoot results accessible to organizations big and small.

But what about price and licensing requirements? Let’s tackle those questions next.

Shutterstock Pricing & Licensing Options

One thing that deters some prospective customers is the assumption that stock media comes with exorbitant fees or restrictive rights.

The great news with Shutterstock is you have flexible pricing options to suit any budget. Whether you need a few photos for a website re-design or unlimited assets for a film project.

Let‘s break down the pricing structure for Shutterstock:

Subscriptions – Flat monthly or annual rates that include a set number of image/video/music downloads. Ranges from entry-level to enterprise plans.

Pay-as-You-Go – Purchase downloads individually without any monthly commitment. More cost efficient if you have occasional needs.

Custom Commercial Licenses – For unique commercial applications, you can contact Shutterstock to create a tailored licensing agreement.

Now let’s explore popular plans in more detail:

Subscriptions

Shutterstock subscription plans provide unlocked access to the entire catalog within monthly download limits. Subscriptions can save immensely over single a la carte rates.

Starter – $249 per month for 350 downloads

Novice – $199 per month for 750 downloads

Enthusiast – $349 per month for 1,500 downloads

Pro – $579 per month for 5,000 downloads (or $199 per month prepaid annually)

These plans suit freelancers, entrepreneurs, creatives and marketing teams at small to mid-sized organizations well. Expect around a 30% discount when committing upfront annually.

For larger companies and publishers generating lots of content, higher tier plans up to $1,699+ per month provide additional value.

The main downside noted in some Shutterstock reviews is the cost of required prepaid annual plans at higher tiers. But locking in a rate helps budgeting for frequent downloaders.

Pay-As-You-Go Rates

Alternatively, Shutterstock offers pay-as-you-go rates if subscriptions don‘t suit your needs:

• $0.28 per image
• $3 per HD video clip
• $32 per music track

Pay-as-you-go works well if you’re a light user that only requires occasional media. Discounted packs are also available for purchase, including:

• 25 images monthly for $169
• 750 video clips annually for $1,699

Think through your anticipated monthly usage before deciding between subscriptions vs. individual purchases.

TIP: New users receive a free 1-7 day trial to preview the full Shutterstock catalog before any purchase.

How Licensing Works on Shutterstock

Another major factor beyond pricing is understanding image licensing to fit your intended use case legally.

Shutterstock provides photographers, animators and musicians licensing protection and compensation through royalties.

In exchange, Shutterstock handles clearing photographed subjects, properties, trademarks, etc to ensure licensed content stays complaint.

Let’s look at license types:

Standard – Covers non-commercial projects, online publications, mobile apps, broadcasts and other use cases. Rights differ slightly for images vs video/music.

Enhanced – Expands usage to commercial advertising and promotional purposes like pamphlets, billboards, tradeshow displays and more. Also includes higher printing volumes.

Custom – For unique commercial applications not covered sufficiently under existing licenses. Shutterstock’s team handles custom licensing needs individually based on your exact use case and budget.

Take time to understand which license type best suits your needs upfront. It saves legal headaches down the road and unneeded subscription expenses.

Assessing Shutterstock Image & Video Quality

With strong fundamentals around pricing and licensing reviewed, you probably want to know:

How good does Shutterstock content actually look?

While quality always contains some level of subjectivity, Shutterstock’s photo and video standards rank as some of the best in the stock industry.

Let’s review key quality benchmarks:

High Resolution – Minimum requirements demand images at 2000 x 1300 pixels, videos in 1080p HD or 4K quality at a minimum.

Consistency – Contributor vetting and mandatory pre-publication reviews prevent low-quality assets slipping through. Over 75% of all submissions receive some adjustment before approval.

Technical Quality – Focus, framing, lighting, color balancing, etc score highly thanks to professional equipment and skills among approved contributors.

Stylistic Range – No two brands’ needs are alike. Shutterstock offers photometric filters and tools for every aesthetic from bright and emotive to brooding.

Authentic not Abstract – Photos capture real people, settings, objects and situations ensuring natural reactions and emotion.

Recent not Retro – Libraries refresh with ~200,000 new contemporary images daily rather than dated relics. Trending searches inspire emerging content focus areas.

As you evaluate image, video and music results on Shutterstock, keep those benchmarks in mind. Download watermarked comps as needed to inspect assets at full resolution across contexts.

In my extensive first-hand testing, Shutterstock continues setting the pace for royalty-free stock media quality others aim to match.

Customer Sentiment & Shutterstock Reviews

When weighing any design tool or asset library, I always balance my own evaluation against sentiment from fellow creatives and professionals.

In Shutterstock’s case, over 100,000 online reviews paint a very positive endorsement:

• 4.8/5 stars averaged across Trustpilot, G2, Capterra
• 90% would recommend to a peer (ClearlyRated)
• Positive ratings span design, marketing, tech, publishing and more

Positive Shutterstock reviews praise both the unmatched scope of creative assets accessible and the value relative to quality. As one G2 reviewer in advertising put it:

“Need an obscure video clip or image quick and at an affordable price? Shutterstock always delivers at quality well beyond the cost paid.”

More critical feedback tends to focus on a few familiar drawbacks:

• Subscription and bundle pricing feel restrictive for some heavy users
• Pre-paid subscriptions are expensive upfront costs for businesses and individuals to absorb

Reading licensing carefully, starting with free trials and the ability to chat with sales reps help mitigate most issues cited though.

Speaking from my experience as a designer, occasional pricing and policy frustrations don’t outweigh the incredible asset value Shutterstock drives daily. But more choice is usually better, which brings us to competitve stock media alternatives.

Top Shutterstock Alternatives For Stock Photos & Videos

While I rely primarily on Shutterstock as my stock media provider, I do leverage other specialty services periodically based on niche needs.

If you find Shutterstock’s pricing or licensing too limiting, exploring options never hurts. Every stock agency and library brings unique strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s compare Shutterstock to 5 top photo/video stock competitors on key differences:

Adobe Stock – Adobe holds an advantage for existing Creative Cloud subscribers with seamless integration. But Shutterstock matches their quality while beating pricing and breadth.

Getty – Getty’s prestigious brand and high-end photographers command premium rates. But everyday commercial visuals price higher than Shutterstock without huge quality differences in my testing.

iStock – Owned by Getty, iStock competes squarely with Shutterstock on all-purpose stock photos and videos at similar rates. I give Shutterstock an edge for superior selection still. Images also tend to look overly “perfect” at times on iStock.

Dreamstime – On a budget? Dreamstime offers photos and videos at only $0.80 cents each without subscriptions. But Shutterstock easily bests them for professional quality, range of content and discovery experience.

While the competition is fierce and choice continues improving, Shutterstock remains my go-to brand through years of first-hand side-by-side testing.

Tips For New Shutterstock Users

As we wrap up this guide, I want to impart some best practices for new Shutterstock users looking to maximize their value.

Take Advantage of Free Trials – Every plan from entry-level to enterprise includes a free 7-day trial. No credit card required either. Use the trial to download some comps to test quality before any purchase.

Browse Category Pages First – Get a feel for the depth of Shutterstock’s catalog across categories like technology, nature, business, travel instead of keywords. Let great images spark ideas.

Try Lightboxes – Lightboxes allow selecting and saving favorites while you browse instead of downloading. Curate assets over time before licensing the best fits.

Read Image Tags – Every photo and video includes keywords, descriptions and attributions. Scan details to evaluate relevance for context considered.

Consider Enhanced Licenses – Need Shutterstock content in ads or commercial products? Upgrade to enhanced licenses upfront instead of restrictive standard.

Chat Support If Needed – Confused by an image policy or licensing term? Connect directly with a Shutterstock rep for prompt clarification before assuming the worst.

I hope these tips help you skip rookie mistakes that can quickly rack up unnecessary fees.

Ready to give Shutterstock a risk-free test drive? Click here to start your free trial today!

Wrapping Up My Shutterstock Review

If you made it this far, hopefully you now have a comprehensive, balanced understanding of Shutterstock and top alternatives.

To recap my chief conclusions around using Shutterstock in 2024:

Breadth & Depth – With 410+ million images and 21+ million video clips (and growing daily), no stock media site compares to Shutterstock for content volume or variety.

Quality & Consistency – Between contributor vetting and review processes, Shutterstock continues setting and exceeding quality benchmarks for stock photos and videos.

Flexibility & Value – Subscription plans, discounted media packs and pay-as-you-go rates ensure Shutterstock fits both small and large budgets.

Licensing & Compliance – Shutterstock’s ironclad licenses protect you legally while granting sufficient commercial use rights in most common situations.

Discovery & Integration – Searching for the perfect stock asset is highly intuitive. And tight creative tool integrations facilitate seamless downloads into projects.

So whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, designer or publisher, I wholeheartedly endorse Shutterstock as an indispensable stock media toolkit element.

Still Have Questions? I’m always happy to offer advice to fellow creatives around assets, work tools and best practices. Feel free to get in touch by email, Twitter or schedule time to chat 1-on-1 using the form below:

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Stay inspired!