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SPECIFICTION
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Shutterstock

shutterstock.com

WebAPI
Visit shutterstock.com
Spec score 8.4 #13 of 80 in Stock Photo Websites

What it is

Shutterstock is a paid creative platform for finding and licensing photos, vectors, illustrations, video, 3D models, music, and sound effects. It is available on the web and through an API, which can bring library search and licensing into third-party applications. The company says its library contains more than 450 million images and grows by 200,000 images a day. Image tools include Expand Image, Variations, Magic Brush, and Background Remover; the remover works only on images up to 7000×5000 pixels and does not remove vector background layers. Its AI image generator returns four results per prompt, downloadable under a Standard or Enhanced license. Both licenses allow perpetual use of downloaded content; Enhanced adds permissions for merchandise, templates, and unlimited physical print runs. Unlimited plans include models from Runway, Google, OpenAI, and others, but cap downloads at 100 assets daily. Monthly subscription downloads do not roll over. The API license bars raw asset-file access or downloads and requires assets delivered in an app to be limited to projects created there. The listed 10-image subscription is $25 a year, billed yearly at $300; a one-time image pack is 29.00 USD.

Spec sheet

Product
Shutterstock provides licensed photos, vectors, illustrations, video, 3D models, music, and sound effects through a searchable creative platform.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Free plan
NoRead 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
Integrations
The Shutterstock API provides library search and licensing within third-party applications and is integrated with Google, Facebook, IBM, and Wix, among others.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Support
Shutterstock offers a 24/7 multilingual AI support agent that can connect customers to a live agent during live support hours.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Headquarters
New York, NYRead 23 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Founded
2003Read 23 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Company
Shutterstock says it was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in New York City.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
AI editing
Image editing features include Expand Image, Variations, Magic Brush, and Background Remover; Background Remover works only on images up to 7000×5000 pixels and does not remove vector background layers.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
AI generation
The AI image generator creates four image results from a prompt, and generated images can be downloaded with a Standard or Enhanced license.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
AI models
The Unlimited plans include access to AI models from Runway, Google, OpenAI, and others.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
API access
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
API restriction
The API Platform License does not allow raw Shutterstock asset files to be downloaded or accessed; assets delivered in an app must be restricted to projects created within that app.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Asset library
The company About page states that its library has over 450 million images and adds 200,000 more each day.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Download limits
Unlimited plans limit downloads to 100 assets per day under the fair usage policy, and monthly subscription downloads do not roll over.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Editorial assets
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
Illustration assets
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
Included team seats
1Read 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
License usage
Standard and Enhanced licenses provide perpetual use of downloaded content, while Enhanced adds permissions such as merchandise, templates, and unlimited physical print runs.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Monthly downloads
10Read 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com
Team plans
Team subscriptions have an annual commitment paid upfront; image-only plans cover up to 20 people, while mixed-media Flex Team plans cover up to 10.Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Vector assets
YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · investor.shutterstock.com

Plans and prices

Image downloads Priced on request 10 image downloads per month Read 21 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Image downloads Price not published 10 image downloads per month Read 21 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Image packs Price not published 2-25 image downloads Read 21 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Image packs Priced on request 2-25 image downloads Read 21 Sep 2026 · shutterstock.com
Image pack $29, paid once $29 2–25 image downloads · single seat · no commitment Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Image downloads (10 per month) $300 a year $25/month, billed yearly at $300 10 image downloads/month · Standard license · single seat Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Unlimited Images $348 a year $29/month, billed yearly at $348 Unlimited image downloads · 50 AI generation credits/month · single seat · fair use policy applies Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Unlimited Plus $828 a year $69/month, billed yearly at $828 Unlimited images, video, music, SFX, and AI generations · 100 AI generation credits/month · single seat · fair use policy applies Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com
Teams and Enterprise Priced on request Talk to us Custom pricing · team controls and personalized support Read 3 Oct 2026 · shutterstock.com

Every Shutterstock plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Library includes photos, vectors, video, 3D, music, and sound effects.
  • AI generator returns four images per prompt.
  • Standard and Enhanced licenses allow perpetual use.
  • API supports search and licensing in third-party applications.

Limits

  • No free plan.
  • Monthly subscription downloads do not roll over.
  • Unlimited plans cap downloads at 100 assets daily.
  • API license prohibits raw asset-file access and downloads.

Who it suits

Shutterstock suits people who need licensed creative assets across several media types, or want search and licensing integrated into an application. API users should account for the restriction on raw asset access and downloads.

Verdict

Shutterstock combines a broad licensed media offering with image editing, generation, and API access. Check the download rules, license permissions, and API restrictions against your intended use.

Where Specifiction places it

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