Best Storyset Alternatives in 2026
The top Storyset alternatives are Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and Depositphotos: 15 stock illustration websites our editors would look at instead of Storyset, in our ranking order.
Storyset: A free web library for editable illustrations, animation exports, and Figma workflows. Where it falls short: free commercial downloads require attribution..
Switching from Storyset? For most stock illustration websites buyers the best Storyset alternative is Shutterstock, built for teams wanting broad, mature stock coverage. On a budget, Storyblocks starts at $21/user/mo. Depositphotos has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Storyset Alternative
- Free commercial downloads require attribution
- Attribution-free use requires a Flaticon Premium subscription
- The product is web-based rather than available as a native desktop app
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallShutterstock9.3
Teams wanting broad, mature stock coverage
Visit Shutterstock - Lowest priceStoryblocks7.5
Paid plans from $21/user/mo
Visit Storyblocks - Best free optionDepositphotos8.9
Has a free plan
Visit Depositphotos
All 15 Storyset Alternatives, Ranked
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.
-
Best forTeams wanting broad, mature stock coverage
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.8
A broad stock-content library with vectors, editorial assets, AI tools, and API access.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Shutterstock -
Best forCreative Cloud users needing broad stock coverage
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.8
A broad stock library with strong Creative Cloud integration and enterprise API workflows.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Adobe Stock -
Best forGlobal users wanting free entry and broad assets
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.8
A broad stock library with free entry, AI tools, apps, and API access.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Depositphotos -
Best forUsers wanting affordable stock plus AI tools
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.8
A broad stock library with AI tools, flexible downloads, and API access.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit iStock -
Best forBusinesses needing broad stock and API access
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.8
A broad stock media library with free collections, mobile apps, APIs and business tools.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Dreamstime -
Best forFree users needing broad stock media access
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.8
A broad free media library with mobile apps and an image-and-video REST API.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Pixabay -
Best forTeams needing editorial and illustration licensing
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.8
A broad stock library with team licensing, API access and subscription plans from $139 monthly.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Alamy -
Best forDesigners wanting customizable and animated art
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.8
A flexible illustration library for customizable static, 3D, and animated design assets.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Ouch! -
Best forTeams needing affordable mixed stock assets
- Better than Storyset:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.8
A broad stock library with illustration assets, AI tools, licensing options and API access.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit 123RF -
Best forUsers needing predictable image subscriptions
A predictable stock image service with monthly, daily, credit, and API options.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Bigstock -
Best forUsers needing a very large clipart catalog
A huge, format-rich clipart library with flexible licensing and subscription options.
- Extended license
- Commercial use
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Clipart.com -
Best forVideo-first teams needing some visual assets
A video-first stock library with unlimited downloads, AI tools, and Adobe integrations.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Storyblocks -
Best forDesigners building custom illustration scenes
A flexible illustration builder with free customization and paid vector creation.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Blush -
Best forFree users needing simple commercial illustrations
A free, searchable illustration library with commercial-use permissions.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit ManyPixels -
Best forUsers needing customizable people illustrations
A free, focused library for building customizable people illustrations.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Humaaans
Storyset Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Storyset?
Shutterstock: #1 in our Stock Illustration Websites ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad stock-content library with vectors, editorial assets, AI tools, and API access.
Is there a free alternative to Storyset?
Yes. Depositphotos, Dreamstime, Pixabay, Ouch! by Icons8 and Clipart.com have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Storyset?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Storyblocks starts lowest, at $21/user/mo.
Why do people look for Storyset alternatives?
Free commercial downloads require attribution; Attribution-free use requires a Flaticon Premium subscription; The product is web-based rather than available as a native desktop app.
How do I switch from Storyset?
Take a full backup of your site files and database at Storyset (or use a migration plugin). Open the new hosting account; many hosts migrate a WordPress site for you, check before doing it by hand. Import the backup and check the site on the temporary address the new host gives you. Point your domain's DNS to the new host, wait for it to switch, then cancel Storyset.
How to Switch from Storyset
- Take a full backup of your site files and database at Storyset (or use a migration plugin).
- Open the new hosting account; many hosts migrate a WordPress site for you, check before doing it by hand.
- Import the backup and check the site on the temporary address the new host gives you.
- Point your domain's DNS to the new host, wait for it to switch, then cancel Storyset.
Storyset vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Storyset | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 1 | Shutterstock | No | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Adobe Stock | No | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Depositphotos | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | iStock | $29/user/mo | 8.7 | |
| 5 | Dreamstime | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Pixabay | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 7 | Alamy | No | $139/mo | 8.2 |
| 8 | Ouch! by Icons8 | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 9 | 123RF | No | 7.9 | |
| 10 | Bigstock | No | $79/mo | 7.7 |
| 11 | Clipart.com | Yes | $99.95/user/yr | 7.6 |
| 12 | Storyblocks | $21/user/mo | 7.5 | |
| 13 | Blush | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 14 | ManyPixels Illustrations | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
| 15 | Humaaans | Yes | Free | 7.2 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update











