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Head-to-head · Stock Illustration Websites

Dreamstime vs Alamy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Dreamstime #5 in Stock Illustration Websites 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Dreamstime
Alamy #7 in Stock Illustration Websites 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Alamy

Dreamstime leads on 1 check, Alamy on 0, and 0 are 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 scoreDreamstime · 8.5/10
  • Free planonly Dreamstime

Dreamstime scores higher on our rubric for stock illustration websites: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

Dreamstime offers free plan; Alamy doesn't.

Dreamstime is the better fit for businesses needing broad stock and API access. Alamy is the better fit for teams needing editorial and illustration licensing.

  • Dreamstime fits best

    Businesses needing broad stock and API access

  • 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 Dreamstime 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Alamy 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.2
Ranking #5 in Stock Illustration Websites #7 in Stock Illustration Websites
Best for Businesses needing broad stock and API access Teams needing editorial and illustration licensing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $139/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Phone Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Dreamstime 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
  • Free and public-domain collections complement paid stock licensing.
  • Vector graphics, illustrations, editorial media, video and audio support varied needs.
  • Corporate accounts, APIs, mobile apps and office integrations extend access.
  • 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
  • The subscription plans shown provide 5 monthly downloads.
  • Subscription duration and billing differ between monthly and annual options.
  • Its broad media scope may be more than illustration-only buyers need.
  • 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

Dreamstime is a stock media licensing platform for individual creators, publishers, agencies, businesses and enterprise teams. Its library covers royalty-free photos, vector graphics, illustrations, editorial imagery, video footage, music…

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. DreamstimeStock Illustration Websites 8.5Free plan
  2. AlamyStock Illustration Websites 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Dreamstime — where it wins

    • Free and public-domain collections complement paid stock licensing.
    • Vector graphics, illustrations, editorial media, video and audio support varied needs.
    • Corporate accounts, APIs, mobile apps and office integrations extend access.

    Where it doesn't

    • The subscription plans shown provide 5 monthly downloads.
    • Subscription duration and billing differ between monthly and annual options.
    • Its broad media scope may be more than illustration-only buyers need.

  • 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

More comparisons

All stock illustration websites comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update