Dreamstime vs iStock
Dreamstime
dreamstime.com
iStock
istockphoto.comSide by side
| Figure | Dreamstime | iStock |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $14.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 17 | 7 |
| Spec score · Stock Photo Websites | 9.2 (#1) | 8.1 (#19) |
| Spec score · Stock Media Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.7 (#12) |
| Spec score · Stock Illustration Websites | 8.9 (#4) | 7.7 (#19) |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Editorial assets | Yes | Yes |
| Free content | A dedicated free-photo collection is available without a paid plan. | iStock offers one free Signature photo each week and free illustrations and video clips each month. |
| Illustration assets | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly downloads | 5 | 10 |
| Support | The FAQ covers cancellation, selling, licensing, refunds, AI content, upload requirements, review times and tax questions. | iStock says it aims to respond to web-form support requests within 24 business hours. |
| Vector assets | Yes | Yes |
Plans
Dreamstime
- 5 imagesPrice not published
- 10 imagesPrice not published
- 15 imagesPrice not published
- 25 imagesPrice not published
- 200 imagesPrice not published
- 750 imagesPrice not published
- 5 images annualPrice not published
- 10 images annualPrice not published
- 15 images annualPrice not published
- Audio 1 per month$20 a month
iStock
- Basic$29 a month
- Premium$70 a month
- Premium + Video$125 a month
- Unlimited AI$14.99 a month
- Basic$29 a month
- Premium$70 a month
- Premium + Video$99 a month
In their own words
Dreamstime
Dreamstime is an image asset service offering vector, illustration, and editorial assets. It provides API access and lists a free plan with five downloads per month. Image bundles are available in quantities of 5, 10, 15, 25, 200, and 750 images. Each quantity has a listed plan and an annual plan, while the provided facts do not state prices for any of them. The service is listed for the API platform. Dreamstime was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, United States. Buyers can choose among the stated asset types, use the API in supported workflows, and compare bundle sizes from five through 750 images. The free allowance supplies a defined monthly download limit, whereas the paid bundle entries identify image counts and billing periods but no amounts. Annual options cover the same six quantities as the other bundle entries. Dreamstime is also identified as the maker, with no additional platform information listed.
iStock
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.