Shutterstock vs Unsplash

Shutterstock9.3Visit Unsplash8.9Visit

Higher score Shutterstock #1 in Stock Photo Websites 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Shutterstock

vs

Unsplash #5 in Stock Photo Websites 8.9/10 Free plan · 90-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Unsplash

• Shutterstock fits best

  Teams needing broad stock media and API access

• Unsplash fits best

  Free photo browsing with a capable developer API

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Side by side

Feature	Shutterstock 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Unsplash 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#1 in Stock Photo Websites	#5 in Stock Photo Websites
Best for	Teams needing broad stock media and API access	Free photo browsing with a capable developer API
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	90 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Live chat, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	8,000+ integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Enterprise
Features Shutterstock 4/4 · Unsplash 4/4
Vector assets	✓	✓
Illustration assets	✓	✓
Editorial assets	✓	✓
API access	✓	✓
Specs
Monthly downloads	10 /mo	Not checked yet
Included team seats	1 seats	1 seats
Our review
Pros	Covers photos, EPS vectors, illustrations, editorial images, video, and audio API supports searching, licensing, and downloading media Offers AI tools, reverse image search, apps, and team administration	Free downloads from an open library under the Unsplash License API supports search, editorial feeds, image URLs, and transformations Works across web, mobile, Chrome, macOS, and Figma workflows
Cons	Single-seat plans limit built-in collaboration Unlimited Plus is required for unlimited video, music, and sound effects Plan choices vary substantially by media type and AI credit allowance	Some content and editing tools require Unsplash+ Free downloads remain subject to Unsplash License restrictions Developer API workflows require technical implementation
Our verdict	Shutterstock is an online stock-content platform for creative professionals, businesses, marketing teams, and media organizations. Its searchable libraries cover stock photos, EPS vectors, illustrations, editorial imagery, video, music,… Read the review →	Unsplash is a visual asset platform for people who need photos, illustrations, and other visual content for creative, commercial, editorial, or personal projects. Its open library supports browsing, searching, downloading, and organizing… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Shutterstock — where it wins

  • Covers photos, EPS vectors, illustrations, editorial images, video, and audio
  • API supports searching, licensing, and downloading media
  • Offers AI tools, reverse image search, apps, and team administration

  Where it doesn't

  • Single-seat plans limit built-in collaboration
  • Unlimited Plus is required for unlimited video, music, and sound effects
  • Plan choices vary substantially by media type and AI credit allowance

• Unsplash — where it wins

  • Free downloads from an open library under the Unsplash License
  • API supports search, editorial feeds, image URLs, and transformations
  • Works across web, mobile, Chrome, macOS, and Figma workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Some content and editing tools require Unsplash+
  • Free downloads remain subject to Unsplash License restrictions
  • Developer API workflows require technical implementation

• Shutterstock9.3/10 · Paid

  A broad stock-media library with API access, AI tools, and team controls.

  Visit ShutterstockFull verdict →
• Unsplash8.9/10 · Free plan · 90-day trial

  A broad free visual library with collections, mobile tools, Figma support, and a capable API.

  Visit UnsplashFull verdict →