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Head-to-head · Stock Illustration Websites

Adobe Stock vs Alamy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Adobe Stock #2 in Stock Illustration Websites 9.2/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Adobe Stock
Alamy #7 in Stock Illustration Websites 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Alamy

Adobe Stock leads on 0 checks, Alamy on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdobe Stock · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock scores higher on our rubric for stock illustration websites: 9.2 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Adobe Stock is the better fit for creative Cloud users needing broad stock coverage. Alamy is the better fit for teams needing editorial and illustration licensing.

  • Adobe Stock fits best

    Creative Cloud users needing broad stock coverage

  • Alamy fits best

    Teams needing editorial and illustration licensing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Adobe Stock 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Alamy 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.2
Ranking #2 in Stock Illustration Websites #7 in Stock Illustration Websites
Best for Creative Cloud users needing broad stock coverage Teams needing editorial and illustration licensing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $139/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Adobe Stock 0/3 · Alamy 0/3
Commercial use Not checked yet Not checked yet
Editorial license Not checked yet Not checked yet
Extended license Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Download model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum resolution Not checked yet Not checked yet
Raster file formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Search, visual search, previews, licensing, and downloads in one service
  • Deep integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other Adobe apps
  • API workflows support search, licensing, retrieval, and license history
  • Includes vectors, illustrations, editorial imagery, video and panoramas
  • Unlimited seats and team sharing through lightboxes
  • REST API supports search, metadata retrieval and licensed downloads
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • API access is restricted to approved enterprise customers and partners
  • Several plans require annual commitments paid monthly
  • Plans cap monthly downloads at 15, 25 or 50 images
  • Subscriptions start at $139 per month
  • Projects beyond standard subscriptions may need custom licensing
Our verdict

Adobe Stock is a web-based stock content service for designers, businesses, and other creative users. Its catalog covers photos, videos, illustrations, vector graphics, templates, 3D assets, audio, and editorial content. For…

Read the review →

Alamy is a web-based stock content licensing platform for creative professionals, publishers, businesses and media organizations. Its catalog covers stock photographs, vectors, illustrations, videos, 360-degree panoramic images and…

Read the review →
  1. Adobe StockStock Illustration Websites 9.27-day trial
  2. AlamyStock Illustration Websites 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adobe Stock — where it wins

    • Search, visual search, previews, licensing, and downloads in one service
    • Deep integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and other Adobe apps
    • API workflows support search, licensing, retrieval, and license history

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • API access is restricted to approved enterprise customers and partners
    • Several plans require annual commitments paid monthly
  • Alamy — where it wins

    • Includes vectors, illustrations, editorial imagery, video and panoramas
    • Unlimited seats and team sharing through lightboxes
    • REST API supports search, metadata retrieval and licensed downloads

    Where it doesn't

    • Plans cap monthly downloads at 15, 25 or 50 images
    • Subscriptions start at $139 per month
    • Projects beyond standard subscriptions may need custom licensing
  • Adobe Stock9.2/10 · 7-day trial

    A broad stock library with strong Creative Cloud integration and enterprise API workflows.

    Visit Adobe StockFull verdict →
  • Alamy8.2/10 · Paid

    A broad stock library with team licensing, API access and subscription plans from $139 monthly.

    Visit AlamyFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update