Head-to-head · Stock Illustration Websites
Adobe Stock vs 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 |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| 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 → |
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
- Shutterstock vs Alamy
- Adobe Stock vs Ouch! by Icons8
- Depositphotos vs Alamy
- iStock vs Alamy
- Dreamstime vs Alamy
- Pixabay vs Alamy
- Alamy vs Ouch! by Icons8
All stock illustration websites comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




