Head-to-head · Stock Media APIs
Getty Images vs Dreamstime
Getty Images leads on 0 checks, Dreamstime 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 scoreGetty Images · 9.0/10
- Free planonly Dreamstime
Getty Images scores higher on our rubric for stock media apis: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
Getty Images is the better fit for editorial and creative image licensing via API. Dreamstime is the better fit for mobile-friendly stock content with API integration.
- Getty Images fits best
Editorial and creative image licensing via API
- Dreamstime fits best
Mobile-friendly stock content with API integration
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 | Getty Images 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Dreamstime 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #3 in Stock Media APIs | #5 in Stock Media APIs |
| Best for | Editorial and creative image licensing via API | Mobile-friendly stock content with API integration |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | — |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Getty Images 0/3 · Dreamstime 0/3 | ||
| Commercial licensing | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Attribution required | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Bulk downloads | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Asset types | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Max results per request | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| API authentication | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Getty Images is a web-based stock content library for businesses, publishers, agencies and creative professionals that need licensed visual material. Its searchable collection covers photographs, vector artwork, illustrations and editorial… Read the review → |
Dreamstime is a stock-content licensing platform for individuals, agencies, publishers, businesses and enterprise teams. Its library spans royalty-free photos, vectors, illustrations, editorial imagery, video clips, music and sound… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Getty Images — where it wins
- Searchable library spans photos, vectors, illustrations and editorial imagery
- Image API supports application integration
- Licensing options address commercial and publishing uses
Where it doesn't
- Pricing and availability can vary by region and license type
- Pricing is handled through sales contact
- API-specific capabilities are less broad than broad catalogs
Dreamstime — where it wins
- Licenses photos, vectors, editorial imagery, video, music and sound effects
- Offers free and public-domain image collections alongside paid plans
- Supports iOS, Android, corporate multi-seat access and API integration
Where it doesn't
- Image subscriptions cap monthly downloads at the selected plan allowance
- API integration is described for enterprise use
- Paid pricing can vary by region
- Getty Images9.0/10 · Pricing on request
A licensing library with an image API for editorial and creative workflows.
Visit Getty ImagesFull verdict → - Dreamstime8.8/10 · Free plan
A broad stock library with mobile apps, AI-assisted discovery and API integration.
Visit DreamstimeFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Adobe Stock vs Getty Images
- Shutterstock vs Getty Images
- Getty Images vs Depositphotos
- Getty Images vs Openverse API
- Getty Images vs Pixabay
- Getty Images vs Pexels
- Dreamstime vs Openverse API
All stock media APIs comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update



