Shutterstock vs Getty Images

Shutterstock9.2Visit Getty Images9.0Visit

Higher score Shutterstock #2 in Stock Media APIs 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Shutterstock

vs

Getty Images #3 in Stock Media APIs 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Getty Images

• Shutterstock fits best

  Teams needing broad media coverage and API access

• Getty Images fits best

  Editorial and creative image licensing via API

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Side by side

Feature	Shutterstock 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Getty Images 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Stock Media APIs	#3 in Stock Media APIs
Best for	Teams needing broad media coverage and API access	Editorial and creative image licensing via API
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Shutterstock 0/3 · Getty Images 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	Search and license images, video, music and editorial media Choose monthly subscriptions or on-demand image packs Search, license and download assets through an API	Searchable library spans photos, vectors, illustrations and editorial imagery Image API supports application integration Licensing options address commercial and publishing uses
Cons	Paid plans only; there is no free plan Several listed plans are limited to a single seat Unlimited Images covers images, not video, music or SFX	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
Our verdict	Shutterstock brings stock photos, vectors, illustrations, editorial media, video, music and sound effects into a searchable licensing service. It is aimed at creative professionals, businesses, marketing agencies and media organizations… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Shutterstock — where it wins

  • Search and license images, video, music and editorial media
  • Choose monthly subscriptions or on-demand image packs
  • Search, license and download assets through an API

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plans only; there is no free plan
  • Several listed plans are limited to a single seat
  • Unlimited Images covers images, not video, music or SFX

• 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

• Shutterstock9.2/10 · Paid

  A broad stock media library with subscription, pack and API access.

  Visit ShutterstockFull verdict →
• Getty Images9.0/10 · Pricing on request

  A licensing library with an image API for editorial and creative workflows.

  Visit Getty ImagesFull verdict →