Understanding Shutterstock’s Pricing: Choosing Your Ideal Plan in 2025
Shutterstock stands out as a leading stock imagery provider with its vast library of hundreds of millions of assets.
This service offers various pricing plans for individuals and businesses, allowing access to high-quality images, videos, and music. Prices vary based on media type, buying method, and usage rights.
This guide helps you navigate Shutterstock pricing plans and costs for images and subscriptions to select an offer that best meets your creative needs.
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Shutterstock Image Subscription Prices
For over two decades, this agency has led the way in royalty-free image subscriptions (learn about it in our Shutterstock Review!)Their flagship plans offer a set number of photos and illustrations each month, charging a flat fee, all under a Standard license.
Here is a comparison of Shutterstock subscription options and their value:
| Plan | Price | Duration | Number of Downloads | Price Per Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Imgs -Monthly | $49/month | 1 month | 10/month | $4.90 |
| 10 Imgs – Annual, Billed Monthly | $29/month | 12 months | 10/month | $2.90 |
| 10 Imgs – Annual, Paid Upfront | $299/year | 12 months | 120/year | $2.49 |
| 50 Imgs – Monthly | $125/month | 1 month | 50/month | $2.50 |
| 50 Imgs – Annual – Billed Monthly | $99/month | 12 months | 50/month | $1.98 |
| 50 Imgs – Annual – Paid Upfront | $979/year | 12 months | 600/year | $1.63 |
| 350 Imgs – Monthly | $199/month | 1 month | 350/month | $0.56 |
| 350 Imgs – Annual – Billed Monthly | $169/month | 12 months | 350/month | $0.48 |
| 350 Imgs – Annual, Paid Upfront | $1,649/year | 12 months | 4,200/year | $0.39 |
| 750 Imgs – Monthly | $249/month | 1 month | 750/month | $0.33 |
| 750 Imgs – Annual, Billed Monthly | $199/month | 12 months | 750/month | $0.26 |
| 750 Imgs – Annual – Paid Upfront | $1,999/year | 12 months | 9000 images/year | $0.22 |
Annual subscriptions provide unbeatable rates, matching long-term users. Prefer flexibility? A month-to-month option gives you freedom without breaking the bank.
A couple of highlights on these plans:
- Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing cycle (monthly or annual) unless you disable this feature.
- Each image costs the same, regardless of its size or resolution. Whether low or high resolution, all pictures are priced equally.
- At the end of the month, all unused downloads are forfeited.
- Images downloaded but unused are licensed for 6 months after subscription. Those already used by the expiration date are yours to keep forever.
Stock photo subscriptions are perfect for creatives or businesses needing a steady stream of fresh images. Analyze your usage to choose the right plan, ensuring you maximize downloads without running out or wasting any.
Our special sitewide coupon lets you save 15% off any subscription plan!
Shutterstock Video Subscriptions
This company's stock footage subscriptions are increasingly popular as they offer some of the best price points in high-resolution, professional video clips:
| Plan | Price | Duration | Number of Downloads | Price Per Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Vids – Monthly | $189/month | 1 month | 5/month | $37.80 |
| 5 Vids – Annual, Billed Monthly | $99/month | 12 months | 5/month | $19.80 |
| 5 Vids – Annual, Paid Upfront | $949/month | 12 months | 60/year | $15.81 |
| 10 Vids – Monthly | $359/month | 1 month | 10/month | $35.90 |
| 10 Vids – Annual, Billed Monthly | $159/month | 12 months | 10/month | $15.90 |
| 10 Vids – Annual, Paid Upfront | $1,599/year | 12 months | 120/year | $13.32 |
| 20 Vids – Monthly | $669/month | 1 month | 20/month | $33.45 |
| 20 Vids – Annual, Billed Monthly | $199/month | 12 months | 20/month | $9.95 |
| 20 Vids – Annual, Paid Upfront | $1,999/year | 12 months | 240 videos/year | $8.32 |
Again, yearly memberships have the best possible rates. If you're willing to commit for twelve months, you could download HD and 4K stock footage with a Standard royalty-free license at only $9.95 apiece, or even just $8.32 each if you pay the full year in advance.
Shutterstock Music
This platform's round service includes stock music and sound effects. With a standard royalty-free license, you can buy them individually at $5 per SFX file and $49 per music track.
However, there is a much better offer: the unlimited music plan that lets you download as many files as you wish from a collection of 34K+ audio assets:
| Plan | Price | Duration | Number of Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Music & SFX – Monthly | $69/month | 1 month | Unlimited |
| Unlimited Music & SFX – Annual, Billed Monthly | $49/month | 12 months | Unlimited |
| Unlimited Music & SFX – Annual, Paid Upfront | $499/year | 12 months | Unlimited |
Shutterstock Business Plans
Creative teams or colleagues needing shared access must opt for a Business plan. This offers team member access, admin controls, and tailored download volumes. To get started, submit a quote request on Shutterstock's website with your company details, and they'll provide pricing options.
Shutterstock Enterprise Plans
This firm also offers bespoke packages to big companies and brands. To get a customized plan, contact a Shutterstock representative directly. Simply use the “Enterprise” tab on the agency's homepage and fill in the form.
Shutterstock Editorial
This platform features a section of editorial content licensed solely for illustrative use. This includes newsworthy stories and striking celebrity portraits.
Each image is available on demand for $199. Now, Shutterstock offers editorial subscriptions as well. These plans' prices aren’t public; you must register with your publication details and wait for access.
Shutterstock Image Packs Prices
This site doesn't sell regular stock photos by unit. Instead, they offer on-demand prepaid image packs, where you acquire a set number of downloads upfront and use them as needed. Choose from various pack sizes—the larger the pack, the lower the cost per image.
| Pack Size | Pack Price | Price per download |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Imgs | $29 | $14.50 |
| 5 Imgs | $49 | $9.80 |
| 25 Imgs | $229 | $9.16 |
Some considerations about packs:
- Your downloads expire one year after purchase.
- You can have image packs and subscriptions running at the same time.
Image packs are a lifesaver for trying out services without a subscription. They also come to the rescue when you exhaust your plan's downloads and need extra photos before renewal.Get a stunning 25% off the largest image pack with our exclusive on-demand coupon!
Shutterstock On-Demand Video Pricing
Stock footage is also available on demand, and here, you can buy just one clip at a time or prepay for several with a video pack. Unlike video subscriptions, on-demand footage prices are resolution-based:
| Resolution | Pack Size | Price | Price Per Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD | 1 vid | $65 | $65 |
| SD | 5 vids | $299 | $59.80 |
| SD | 10 vids | $549 | $54.90 |
| SD | 25 vids | $1,299 | $51.96 |
| HD | 1 vid | $79 | $79 |
| HD | 5 vids | $359 | $71.80 |
| HD | 10 vids | $669 | $66.90 |
| HD | 25 vids | $1,579 | $63.16 |
| 4K | 1 vid | $179 | $179 |
| 4K | 5 vids | $599 | $119.80 |
| 4K | 10 vids | $999 | $99.90 |
| 4K | 25 vids | $2,299 | $91.96 |
Shutterstock Enhanced License
All mentioned prices cover Standard licensed assets, allowing unlimited commercial use in marketing and advertising across various mediums forever without extra costs. However, this license limits printed units to 500,000 and video budgets to $10,000 while banning asset use in commercial products.
Enhanced licenses remove these restrictions. They offer unlimited copies and allow resale product usage but are available only through prepaid packs on demand:
| Pack Size | Pack Price | Price per download |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Imgs | $159 | $79.50 |
| 5 Imgs | $359 | $71.80 |
| 25 Imgs | $1,359 | $54.36 |
Shutterstock Premium Photography
For top-tier imagery, explore Offset by Shutterstock. This exclusive collection features stunning, handpicked photos from acclaimed artists. Each premium asset is available for $249 or $349 on demand.
Shutterstock Gen AI Plus
![shutterstock ai plus plan pricing > Understanding Shutterstock's Pricing: Choosing Your Ideal Plan in [wpsm_custom_meta type=date field=year]](png/shutterstock-ai-plus-plan-pricing.png "Understanding Shutterstock's Pricing: Choosing Your Ideal Plan in [wpsm_custom_meta type=date field=year]")
If you want full access to this firm's advanced, generative AI tools, including an AI image generator and multiple AI image editing features, you need a Generative AI Plus plan. It is $7 per month and comes with 100 generations (each generation creates four picture variations, so it is actually up to 400 AI images for seven dollars).
Choose the Best Shutterstock Plan for You
This Shutterstock price guide simplifies finding the best buying option for your needs.
Don't forget to redeem our coupon codes and save even more!
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Hi there, i have some questions since i am mostly intrested in your videoclip section. Your info is very clear regarding images/stillphotos. So i was wondering what diffrent subscriptions offer you might have/,regarding price per month/ and amount of clips i could download per month (in the 1080 quality at least). And do you offer some sort of “free days trial”?. Best regards,
from Stockholm.
Hi Bjarni, thanks for your question and we are happy that our post did help you. Shutterstock do not have any subscriptions for videos, you can see their video pricing here. They have some nice new packages for 4k Video as well. Unfortunately there is no free trial for the videos. I hope that helps.
So im interested in creating a class and using the stock photos for my manual that comes with the class but the class is purchased, would that be ok?
Hi Anna, as long as the images are a small part of the manual (for illustration purposes, for example) and not the core value in it, and also as long as the manual itself is not sold, then Standard License should suit you –keeping in mind the 500,000 print run limit. We have a dedicated article on Shutterstock License explained that you might find useful: https://www.stockphotosecrets.com/questions-answers/shutterstock-license.html
Please keep in mind our articles and my comment are for guidance only, to be 100% certain you’re using the right license, you must contact Shutterstock directly and ask for confirmation.
I hope this helps you!
hi,
first of all good information Amos, thank you.
my question is what do you think of coming up with ones own stock footage website in this time, is it worth putting an effort? If so, can you guide if i can find some useful information on how to do this? Cheers.
Hi there, I think it does not worth coming up with a new own stock agency honestly.
If an image has a standard license, can you use the image to paint from. I’m an artist and just want images that I can paint.
Hi Janet, it is my understanding that using a stock image to create a painting would be considered a copy of the image and thus, not allowed by any license as it would infringe the image author’s copyright.
However, we are not Shutterstock representatives, so I advise you to contact Shutterstock directly to verify whether you can or cannot use their photos this way.
hi, I am looking to buy a stock image of a photo frame mock up just to portray my photographs, would the standard license be ok?
Hi Michelle, so you want to buy only the “photo frame” as design and then put your own image in it? That usage should be fine with most stock agencies. Kind Regards Amos
I plan to re-issue a book a wrote a while back. The rights reverted to me, but the art work didn’t. What is my best option for getting a Shutterbox image for my book, which will be print on demand, and what would the cost be?
I recommend checking out their pricing here they have even some image packs which are not subscriptions and are affordable.
Hi. I have used Shutterstock for some years now usually buying a pack of 350 or 750 images buying with an expiry of a month on an individual licence although my account is under my company name (my company is just me and my partner). Shutterstock have been in touch saying I may have an inadequate licence and that it should be a corporate licence. Although I have a company, it is just me that downloads and uses the images (occasionally I send the images to a freelancer) for books that are published under my company name. Can Shutterstock force me into a more expensive corporate licence when effectively I am using the images run the same way a freelance does? Thanks
Hi James, unfortunately, I can not really help you with this matter. This seems to be something you need to figure out with Shutterstock directly. Sorry that I can not be of any help here.
Can i print a photo from shutterstock on one single product like wood and sell it ?
You would need an extended license to be allowed to print it on wood and sell this wood.
I have seen an image on shutterstock that I would like to use for a splash back. Can I buy just one individual image as it is a premium?
Hi Susan, if the image you want is in Shutterstock’s Offset collection (premium) then yes, it’s possible to buy just one image. Otherwise, the minimum is two images for $22.
Hope this helps.
“The license for images that were not used in a project within 6 months after the end of the subscription expires. This means the buyer can no longer use them in any way. ”
Is this true? I read on their pages, that licenses are perpetual. Here: So what is the truth? Where can I read that I can’t use my downloads?
Thank you for your question. This is maybe a better question for our Shutterstock License article. As always I recommend to ask Shutterstock directly and let them explain their license. We are not Shutterstock nor can we speak for them. I recommend checking out their license agreement here.
It explains also how and where you can and can not use your downloaded images for.
I hope that helps.
Regards
Amos