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iStock

istockphoto.com

From $14.99/mo WebAPI
Visit istockphoto.com
Spec score 8.1 #19 of 80 in Stock Photo Websites

What it is

iStock licenses royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors and video clips for advertising, websites, blogs, presentations, video productions, podcasts and other uses. Its Essentials collection covers everyday content; Signature is a collection of handpicked material exclusive to iStock. The service also offers AI image editing to add or remove objects, extend images, change backgrounds, edit by prompt and upscale generated images to 4K. iStock says its AI is trained exclusively on licensed content, not visuals or data scraped from the web, and that generated images receive automatic legal protection of $10,000 per image. Licensed files include a $10,000 USD legal guarantee, with an Extended Legal Guarantee available up to $250,000 USD. Basic costs $29 a month and Premium costs $70 a month, each billed annually with 10 downloads monthly. Premium + Video is listed at $125 a month, with a new-customer offer noted; Unlimited AI costs $14.99 a month. iStock also offers one free Signature photo each week and free illustrations and video clips each month. API access is available, and a plugin links Dropbox for accessing, sharing and collaborating on content across devices.

Spec sheet

Integrations
The iStock Plugins page supports linking Dropbox so users can access, share and collaborate with content across devices.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Support
iStock says it aims to respond to web-form support requests within 24 business hours.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
AI editing
The iStock AI tools can add or remove objects, extend images, replace or remove backgrounds, edit by prompt and upscale generated images to 4K.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
AI legal protection
AI-generated images include automatic legal protection of $10,000 per image.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
AI training
iStock says its AI is trained exclusively on licensed content, including its creative library, without web-scraped visuals or data.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
API access
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Collections
The library has Essentials for affordable everyday content and Signature for premium handpicked content exclusive to iStock.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Content library
iStock licenses royalty-free photos, illustrations, vectors and video clips for advertising, websites, blogs, presentations, video productions, podcasts and more.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Contributor AI policy
iStock does not accept AI-generated content from contributors, and AI-generated or modified images remain separate from its visual library.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Credit limits
Essentials photos, vectors and illustrations cost 1 credit, Signature photos, vectors and illustrations cost 3 credits, Essentials video clips cost 6 credits and Signature video clips cost 18 credits.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Editorial assets
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Free content
iStock offers one free Signature photo each week and free illustrations and video clips each month.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Illustration assets
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Included team seats
1Read 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
License protection
Every licensed file includes a $10,000 USD legal guarantee, with an Extended Legal Guarantee available up to $250,000 USD.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Monthly downloads
10Read 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Privacy and compliance
iStockphoto LP is a Getty Images subsidiary and says its privacy policy addresses data security, privacy rights and responsibilities under applicable data-protection laws.Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Vector assets
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com

Plans and prices

Basic $29 a month Annual plan 10 downloads per month Read 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Premium $70 a month Annual plan 10 downloads per month Read 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Premium + Video $125 a month Regular price shown alongside a new-customer offer 10 downloads per month Read 24 Sep 2026 · istockphoto.com
Unlimited AI $14.99 a month monthly Unlimited AI generations and downloads · unlimited iStock image modifications · 4K upscaling Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Basic $29 a month monthly 10 downloads/month shown · options 10, 25, 50 or 750 · Essentials photos, vectors and illustrations · up to 250 unused downloads rollover Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Premium $70 a month monthly 10 downloads/month shown · options 10, 25, 50 or 750 · Essentials and Signature images · up to 250 unused downloads rollover Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com
Premium + Video $99 a month monthly 10 downloads/month shown · options 10, 25, 50 or more · all images, videos, music tracks and sound effects Read 1 Oct 2026 · istockphoto.com

Every iStock plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Library includes photos, illustrations, vectors and video.
  • AI editing includes 4K upscaling.
  • Basic and Premium include 10 monthly downloads.
  • Free Signature photo weekly, plus monthly free media.
  • API access is listed.

Limits

  • Basic costs $29 a month, billed annually.
  • Basic and Premium each list 10 monthly downloads.
  • Premium + Video is listed at $125 a month.

Who it suits

iStock suits people seeking licensed visual assets for creative and business uses, including advertising, presentations and video productions. Its AI tools may suit users who want to modify images or upscale generated images.

Verdict

iStock combines a licensed visual library with AI image tools, API access and free monthly or weekly content. Its listed plans have distinct costs and download terms, so check the plan details before choosing.

Where Specifiction places it

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