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Head-to-head · Stock Illustration Websites

iStock vs Ouch! by Icons8

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score iStock #4 in Stock Illustration Websites 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit iStock
Ouch! by Icons8 #8 in Stock Illustration Websites 8.1/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Ouch!

iStock leads on 0 checks, Ouch! by Icons8 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 scoreiStock · 8.7/10
  • Free planonly Ouch! by Icons8
  • Free trialonly Ouch! by Icons8

iStock scores higher on our rubric for stock illustration websites: 8.7 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

iStock is the better fit for users wanting affordable stock plus AI tools. Ouch! by Icons8 is the better fit for designers wanting customizable and animated art.

  • iStock fits best

    Users wanting affordable stock plus AI tools

  • Ouch! by Icons8 fits best

    Designers wanting customizable and animated art

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 iStock 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Ouch! by Icons8 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.1
Ranking #4 in Stock Illustration Websites #8 in Stock Illustration Websites
Best for Users wanting affordable stock plus AI tools Designers wanting customizable and animated art
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $29/user/mo —
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Web Web, macOS
Support Email, Docs Live chat, Community, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features iStock 0/3 · Ouch! by Icons8 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
  • Illustration, vector, editorial, photo, video, music, and sound assets
  • AI image generation and image customization are included
  • API access plus Dropbox and Sketch integrations
  • Includes vector, 3D, static, and animated illustration assets
  • Supports SVG, PNG, JSON, GIF, and After Effects formats
  • Offers editing, recoloring, rearrangement, Figma, and API access
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Standard subscriptions are limited to one user
  • Premium + Video starts at $125 per month
  • The Illustrations plan limits downloads to 25 per month
  • Free downloads require attribution under the license terms
  • The service focuses on illustrations rather than a broad stock library
Our verdict

iStock is a paid stock content website for designers, marketers, publishers, businesses, and other creators. Its library covers royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors, editorial-use imagery, videos, music, and sound effects for…

Read the review →

Ouch! by Icons8 is an online illustration library for designers, developers, marketers, and content creators. Its searchable collections cover vector, 3D, static, and animated illustrations for websites, applications, marketing materials,…

Read the review →
  1. iStockStock Illustration Websites 8.7Paid
  2. Ouch! by Icons8Stock Illustration Websites 8.1Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iStock — where it wins

    • Illustration, vector, editorial, photo, video, music, and sound assets
    • AI image generation and image customization are included
    • API access plus Dropbox and Sketch integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Standard subscriptions are limited to one user
    • Premium + Video starts at $125 per month

  • Ouch! by Icons8 — where it wins

    • Includes vector, 3D, static, and animated illustration assets
    • Supports SVG, PNG, JSON, GIF, and After Effects formats
    • Offers editing, recoloring, rearrangement, Figma, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • The Illustrations plan limits downloads to 25 per month
    • Free downloads require attribution under the license terms
    • The service focuses on illustrations rather than a broad stock library
  • iStock8.7/10 · Paid

    A broad stock library with AI tools, flexible downloads, and API access.

    Visit iStockFull verdict →
  • Ouch! by Icons88.1/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    A flexible illustration library for customizable static, 3D, and animated design assets.

    Visit Ouch!Full verdict →

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