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Shutterstock is a popular stock photography and video platform that offers a vast collection of high-quality media content. The platform has been around since 2003 and has since grown to become one of the most trusted sources of digital content. Shutterstock’s library contains over 350 million images, videos, and music tracks, making it one of the largest collections of stock media in the world.
Compared to its competitors, Shutterstock stands out for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive search functionality, and affordable pricing. The platform offers a wide range of subscription plans and credit packages that cater to different needs and budgets. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for individuals, small businesses, and large corporations alike. Additionally, Shutterstock has a strong reputation for providing high-quality content, with stringent quality control measures in place to ensure that all media is of the highest standard.
Overview of Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a leading provider of high-quality stock photos, videos, illustrations, and vectors. With over 300 million images in their library, they offer a vast selection of content for businesses, marketing agencies, and media organizations around the world.
One of the key benefits of using Shutterstock is their royalty-free licensing model. This means that once you purchase a license, you can use the content in perpetuity without any additional fees. This is particularly useful for businesses that need to use images and videos across multiple campaigns and platforms.
Shutterstock is known for its commitment to quality. They have a rigorous screening process for contributors to ensure that the content they offer is of the highest standard. They also have a team of editors who review every image and video to ensure that it meets their quality standards.
In addition to their vast selection of content, Shutterstock offers a range of subscription plans to suit different needs. Customers can choose from monthly or annual plans, as well as on-demand image or video packs. This flexibility makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to find a plan that works for them.
When compared to other stock photo providers, Shutterstock stands out for its quality, selection, and licensing model. While there are other providers that offer similar services, Shutterstock is a top choice for businesses that need high-quality, royalty-free images and videos.
Comparison with Competitors
Shutterstock is a leading provider of high-quality images, videos, and music to businesses and individuals worldwide. While there are several competitors in the market, Shutterstock has managed to maintain its position as a top choice for many customers. In this section, we will compare Shutterstock with some of its top competitors and highlight the key differences.
Shutterstock Alternatives
One of the most common alternatives to Shutterstock is Adobe Stock. Adobe Stock offers a vast collection of high-quality images, videos, and templates, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals. However, Adobe Stock is generally more expensive than Shutterstock and may not be the best fit for those on a tight budget.
Another popular alternative to Shutterstock is Storyblocks. Storyblocks offers a subscription-based model that allows users to access unlimited downloads of images, videos, and music at a fixed monthly fee. While Storyblocks’ pricing is competitive, its library may not be as extensive as Shutterstock’s.
iStock and Getty Images
iStock and Getty Images are both owned by Getty Images Inc. and offer a wide range of high-quality images, videos, and music. However, both platforms are generally more expensive than Shutterstock, and their pricing models may not be as flexible. Additionally, iStock and Getty Images may not offer the same level of customer support as Shutterstock.
Pexels and Pixabay
Pexels and Pixabay are both free stock photo websites that offer a vast collection of high-quality images. While they are great for personal use, they may not be the best fit for businesses that require exclusive rights to images. Additionally, Pexels and Pixabay may not offer the same level of customization and support as Shutterstock.
Depositphotos and Canva
Depositphotos and Canva are both popular platforms for businesses and individuals looking for high-quality images, videos, and templates. While they offer competitive pricing and a vast collection of content, they may not offer the same level of customization and support as Shutterstock.
Storyblocks
Storyblocks is a subscription-based platform that offers unlimited downloads of images, videos, and music for a fixed monthly fee. While its pricing is competitive, its library may not be as extensive as Shutterstock’s. Additionally, Storyblocks may not offer the same level of customization and support as Shutterstock.
In conclusion, Shutterstock offers a vast collection of high-quality images, videos, and music at competitive prices. While there are several competitors in the market, Shutterstock has managed to maintain its position as a top choice for many customers due to its extensive library, flexible pricing, and excellent customer support.
Subscription Plans
Shutterstock offers a variety of subscription plans to fit different needs and budgets. Customers can choose from monthly or annual plans, as well as on-demand packs for one-time purchases. All plans come with a royalty-free license, which allows users to use the images, videos, and music in any project without incurring additional fees.
On-Demand Packs
For customers who need images or videos on a one-time basis, Shutterstock offers on-demand packs. These packs come with a set number of image or video downloads, which can be used at any time. The packs are available in various sizes, ranging from 2 to 25 downloads, with prices starting at $29 for two downloads.
On-demand packs are a great option for customers who only need a few images or videos, or who want to try out Shutterstock’s service before committing to a subscription. However, for customers who need images or videos on a regular basis, a subscription may be a more cost-effective option.
Subscriptions
Shutterstock’s subscription plans offer customers a set number of downloads per month, with prices starting at $29 per month for 10 downloads. Customers can choose from monthly or annual plans, with the annual plans offering a discount compared to the monthly plans.
Customers can also choose from different levels of subscription plans based on their needs. For example, the Standard plan offers access to the entire collection of images, videos, and music, while the Enhanced plan offers access to the same collection as well as access to Shutterstock’s editorial images.
Shutterstock also offers a FLEX subscription plan, which allows customers to download images, videos, and music, as well as access to Shutterstock’s design tools, for a monthly fee of $49. The FLEX subscription is a great option for customers who need a variety of creative assets and design tools.
All subscription plans come with a free trial period, which allows customers to try out Shutterstock’s service before committing to a plan. Additionally, unused downloads do not roll over into the following month, so customers should make sure to use their downloads each month to get the most value out of their subscription.
Credits
In addition to subscription plans and on-demand packs, Shutterstock also offers credits. Credits can be used to download images, videos, and music on a one-time basis, and are available in various sizes, ranging from 2 to 50 credits.
Customers can purchase credits in bulk, with prices starting at $49 for 5 credits. The cost per credit decreases as customers purchase larger credit packs. Credits are a good option for customers who need a few images or videos on a one-time basis, but who don’t want to commit to a subscription or on-demand pack.
Unlimited Download Subscription
Shutterstock’s Unlimited Download Subscription is a new offering that provides customers with unlimited access to Shutterstock’s entire collection of images, videos, and music for a monthly fee of $169. This subscription is a great option for customers who need a large volume of creative assets on a regular basis.
The Unlimited Download Subscription comes with a royalty-free license, which allows customers to use the images, videos, and music in any project without incurring additional fees. Additionally, the subscription comes with a free trial period, which allows customers to try out the service before committing to a plan.
Custom Offerings
Shutterstock offers a range of custom offerings to cater to various business needs. These offerings are designed to provide businesses with professional-quality, on-brand content that aligns with their marketing goals. The custom offerings include:
Businesses
Shutterstock’s custom offerings for businesses include custom photography and videography, as well as custom illustrations and animations. These offerings are ideal for businesses looking to create unique and engaging marketing materials that stand out from the competition. Shutterstock’s team of experienced photographers, videographers, and illustrators work closely with businesses to understand their specific needs and create custom content that meets those needs.
Designers
Shutterstock’s custom offerings for designers include custom templates and design elements. These offerings are ideal for designers looking to create unique and professional designs that align with their clients’ branding. Shutterstock’s team of experienced designers work closely with designers to understand their specific needs and create custom templates and design elements that meet those needs.
Added Value to Content Creators
Shutterstock’s custom offerings for content creators include custom integrations, people, and marketing materials. These offerings are designed to provide content creators with added value and help them reach a wider audience. Shutterstock’s team of experienced marketers work closely with content creators to understand their specific needs and create custom marketing materials that align with their branding.
Webdesigners
Shutterstock’s custom offerings for web designers include custom graphics and audio. These offerings are ideal for web designers looking to create unique and engaging websites that stand out from the competition. Shutterstock’s team of experienced graphic designers and audio engineers work closely with web designers to understand their specific needs and create custom graphics and audio that meet those needs.
In conclusion, Shutterstock’s custom offerings provide businesses, designers, content creators, and web designers with a range of options to create unique and professional-quality content that aligns with their branding and marketing goals. With a team of experienced professionals and a range of custom offerings, Shutterstock is a leading provider of on-brand content for businesses and individuals alike.
Licensing Options
Shutterstock offers a variety of licensing options to meet the needs of different customers. The company’s licensing options are designed to be safe, flexible, and affordable, making it easy for customers to find the right license for their needs.
Safe Licensing
One of the most important aspects of licensing images is ensuring that the license is legal and valid. Shutterstock’s licensing options are designed to be safe and secure, so customers can use images with confidence.
Shutterstock’s Standard License is the default license for most plans and subscriptions. It provides worldwide and perpetual use of images, with some limitations on usage. Customers who need more flexibility can choose the Enhanced License, which offers fewer limitations and more protections. The Premier License is the strongest license available, providing the most extensive protections and allowing customers to use images for merchandising.
Editorial Images
Shutterstock’s editorial images are a great option for customers who need images for news, journalism, or other editorial purposes. Editorial images are unique in that they depict real people, events, and places, and can be used to tell a story or provide context.
Shutterstock’s editorial images are available with a royalty-free license, which allows customers to use the images without paying additional fees. However, editorial images are subject to certain restrictions, such as limitations on commercial use and restrictions on altering the images.
In addition to its licensing options, Shutterstock also offers a wide range of other features and tools, such as Creative Cloud integration, Adobe Stock integration, and vector art. These features make it easy for customers to find the right images for their needs and integrate them into their projects seamlessly.
Overall, Shutterstock is a leading stock image platform that offers a variety of licensing options and features to meet the needs of different customers. Its licensing options are safe, flexible, and affordable, making it easy for customers to find the right license for their needs.
Revenue for Contributors
Shutterstock offers a lucrative opportunity for contributors to earn cash by licensing their content on the platform. As a contributor, you can earn a percentage of the price Shutterstock receives for licensing your content. The earnings level for images and videos ranges from 15% up to 40%. Contributors can graduate through the earnings levels independently, based on their download count in each category.
In 2022, Shutterstock reported a revenue of $827.8 million, representing a 7% increase compared to 2021. Revenue generated through the e-commerce sales channel increased 2% compared to the full year 2021, to $501.4 million, and represented 61% of total revenue in 2022. This increase in revenue is a testament to the popularity of the platform as a source of high-quality content for businesses and media companies.
Shutterstock has updated its earnings structure for contributors, which went into effect on June 1st, 2020. The earnings for each license are now based on a contributor’s image level or video level. The earnings structure is divided into six levels, and contributors can earn up to 40% of the licensing fee. The new earnings structure is designed to reward contributors for their hard work and provide them with a clear path to earning more revenue.
Compared to its competitors, Shutterstock offers one of the highest commission rates for contributors. For instance, Adobe Stock offers a commission rate of 33% for photos and 35% for videos, while Getty Images offers a commission rate of 20% to 45% for photos and 20% to 30% for videos. This makes Shutterstock an attractive option for contributors who want to earn a higher revenue share for their content.
In conclusion, Shutterstock provides a great opportunity for contributors to earn revenue by licensing their content on the platform. With a high commission rate and a clear path to earning more revenue through the earnings structure, contributors can feel confident that their hard work will be rewarded on Shutterstock.
Conclusion
Shutterstock is a global marketplace for stock content, offering high-quality and authentic images, video content, and free graphic resources to individuals, marketing agencies, media organizations, and more. The platform provides a stress-free experience for users, with easy-to-use plugins for popular design software like Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Slides.
Compared to its competitors, Shutterstock stands out for its extensive collection of over 371 million assets, including stems, which are isolated audio tracks that can be used for music production. The platform also offers an in-built editor to manage basic designs, making it a better bet for individuals or those who do not use Adobe’s extensive range of software.
Shutterstock’s granular search functionality allows users to find specific images with ease, and its licensing options are clear and straightforward, ensuring copyright compliance. The platform also offers a variety of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets.
While competitors like JumpStory and Buzzfeed offer unique features such as AI-powered content recommendations and curated collections, Shutterstock’s vast collection and global reach make it a top choice for those seeking a one-stop-shop for stock content.
In conclusion, Shutterstock is a reliable and reputable platform for finding high-quality and authentic stock content. Its extensive collection, stress-free experience, and clear licensing options make it a top choice for individuals, marketing agencies, media organizations, shows, and books seeking to enhance their visual content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some alternatives to Shutterstock for contributors?
Shutterstock is not the only stock photography website available for contributors. Some other popular options include Adobe Stock, iStock, Getty Images, and Dreamstime. Each platform has its own set of requirements and commission rates, so it’s important to research and compare before deciding which one to use.
Are there any free websites like Shutterstock?
While Shutterstock is a paid platform, there are some free alternatives available for those on a budget. Some popular options include Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay. However, it’s important to note that the selection of images on these sites may be more limited compared to paid platforms like Shutterstock.
How does Shutterstock compare to its competitors?
Shutterstock is one of the largest and most popular stock photography websites, with over 350 million images in its library. Compared to its competitors, Shutterstock offers a wide variety of high-quality images at competitive prices. Additionally, Shutterstock has a user-friendly interface and offers a range of subscription options to fit different needs and budgets.
What are the differences between Shutterstock and Adobe Stock?
Both Shutterstock and Adobe Stock are popular stock photography websites, but there are some differences between the two. Shutterstock offers a wider selection of images, while Adobe Stock is known for its integration with Adobe Creative Cloud. Additionally, Adobe Stock offers a range of subscription options, including a monthly subscription and a pay-per-image option.
Is Shutterstock affiliated with Shutterfly?
No, Shutterstock and Shutterfly are two separate companies. Shutterstock is a stock photography website that offers high-quality images and videos for commercial and personal use, while Shutterfly is a company that specializes in personalized photo gifts and products.
What are some competitors to Shutterstock?
Some popular competitors to Shutterstock include Adobe Stock, iStock, Getty Images, and Dreamstime. Each platform has its own set of features, pricing, and commission rates, so it’s important to research and compare before deciding which one to use.
