What is Shutterstock?
Shutterstock is a stock content platform that licenses photos, vectors, illustrations, video, music, sound effects, editorial images and 3D objects for commercial use. Its library holds more than 450 million images, with about 200,000 added daily from over 1 million contributors, and the site is available in 21 languages. It also owns Envato, which it acquired in 2024.
Shutterstock has added AI to its stock offering. Paid unlimited plans include monthly AI generation credits and access to models from providers such as Google, OpenAI and Runway, with a Model Match feature that suggests a model for your project. AI-powered editing lets you customize any asset before you use it. Teams and enterprises get extras like shared seats, digital asset management, API access and single sign-on.
Shutterstock at a glance
How does Shutterstock work?
- Choose a plan
Pick an image subscription with a set number of monthly downloads, an unlimited plan, or a one-off image pack.
- Search the library
Search images, video, music, editorial and 3D content by keyword across a catalog of hundreds of millions of assets.
- Customize or generate
Edit assets with AI-powered tools, or generate new images and media using your monthly AI credits.
- License and download
Download under the Standard license, or choose the Enhanced license when you need wider rights.
- Scale with teams
Upgrade to a Teams or Enterprise plan to add members, manage assets and connect through the API.
Shutterstock key features
Huge image library
More than 450 million images, including photos, vectors and illustrations, growing by about 200,000 a day.
Video, music and SFX
Stock footage, music tracks and sound effects, all covered by the Unlimited Plus plan.
Editorial content
News, entertainment and sports images for publishers and media teams.
AI generation
Generate images and media with models from Google, OpenAI, Runway, AWS and Shutterstock's own models, using monthly credits.
AI-powered editing
Customize stock assets with AI edits so they better fit your brand or layout.
Standard and Enhanced licenses
Choose a Standard license for most uses or an Enhanced license for broader rights.
Team and enterprise tools
Shared seats, digital asset management storage, API integrations, SAML single sign-on and human review of generated content.
Why use Shutterstock?
- The sheer size of the library makes it easier to find specific or niche visuals.
- Unlimited plans remove per-download worries for high-volume content teams.
- One plan can cover images, video, music, sound effects and AI generation.
- Editorial content suits publishers who need news and event images.
- Enterprise features help large teams manage licensing and assets centrally.
Who is Shutterstock best for?
A good fit for
- Marketing teams publishing visuals daily
- Agencies working across many clients
- Publishers and media companies needing editorial images
- Enterprises that need DAM, SSO and API access
Less suited to
- Users who need only a handful of images a year
- Budget-conscious creators who can work with free stock sites
- Teams wanting their stock library built into Adobe apps
Shutterstock pricing
| Pricing model | Subscription |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | Not confirmed |
| Starting price | $25/month (image subscription) |
Unlimited Images costs $29/month and Unlimited Plus, which adds video, music, SFX and more AI credits, costs $69/month, with yearly billing available. Image packs suit one-off buyers, and Teams and Enterprise are custom quoted.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official Shutterstock pricing page before you buy.
Shutterstock pros and cons
Pros
- One of the largest stock libraries available
- Unlimited plans for images or all media
- Built-in AI generation from several model providers
- Strong enterprise features
Cons
- Pricing page does not clearly map every price to each download tier
- Enhanced licenses and team plans add cost
- No free trial listed on the pricing page
Shutterstock integrations and platforms
Available on
Shutterstock alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best Stock Media Sites.
Shutterstock FAQ
Is Shutterstock free?
No. Shutterstock is a paid stock service and its pricing page does not list a free plan or free trial. Image subscriptions start at $25 per month, Unlimited Images costs $29 per month, and Unlimited Plus costs $69 per month. One-off image packs are also available for people who do not want a subscription.
How much does Shutterstock cost?
Shutterstock image subscriptions start at $25 per month for a set number of downloads. Unlimited Images is $29 per month or $348 billed yearly, and Unlimited Plus is $69 per month or $828 billed yearly. Teams and Enterprise plans have custom pricing. Prices are in US dollars and taxes may apply.
What is the difference between Shutterstock's Standard and Enhanced licenses?
The Standard license covers most everyday commercial uses, such as websites, social posts and ads, and is included with image subscriptions. The Enhanced license gives broader rights for uses beyond the Standard terms. Shutterstock lists both options on its pricing page, so check the license details before a large print run or a product for resale.
Shutterstock vs Adobe Stock: what's the difference?
Shutterstock offers a larger image library, unlimited plans and AI generation from several model providers. Adobe Stock is built into Creative Cloud apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro and includes AI Studio for editing assets. Adobe users may prefer Adobe Stock, while high-volume buyers often choose Shutterstock.
Did Getty Images buy Shutterstock?
No. Getty Images and Shutterstock announced a merger in January 2025, but Getty Images terminated the agreement in July 2026 after deciding not to proceed with a required divestiture. Shutterstock continues to operate as its own company and still owns Envato.
Sources
This overview is based on Shutterstock's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.