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Adobe Stock vs Shutterstock Comparison

Last updated:

Adobe Stock

3.1(83 reviews)

Starting at $29.99

  • Free Trial
  • Individuals
  • Large Enterprises

Adobe Stock is a powerful creative Cloud platform with incredible quality content. With this service, users can access an immense library of 4K, HD stock videos, as well as motion graphic templates and loops ideal for an…

Shutterstock

2.4(2,180 reviews)

Starting at $29 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Introducing Shutterstock: a cutting-edge SaaS platform that empowers your creativity. With a global reach, we offer a plethora of premium assets and innovative editing and collaboration tools for individuals, teams, and…

Adobe Stock leads on user satisfaction with a 3.1-star rating across 83 reviews.

Adobe Stock vs Shutterstock — at a glance

FeatureAdobe StockShutterstock
Rating3.1 / 52.4 / 5
Reviews832,180
Starting price$29.99$29 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryStock Photos Websites Stock Photos Websites
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesOnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Adobe Stock and Shutterstock

  • Pricing: Adobe Stock starts at $29.99, while Shutterstock starts at $29 /Month.
  • Target audience: Adobe Stock is built for Individuals and Large Enterprises, while Shutterstock targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: Adobe Stock scores higher with a 3.1-star average.
  • Deployment: Adobe Stock supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Shutterstock supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Adobe Stock vs Shutterstock — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Stock Photos Websites tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Adobe Stock - New SaaS Software
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Shutterstock - Stock Photos Websites
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Adobe Stock

Best for Adobe users needing high-quality stock media with seamless app integration.

Choose if
  • You require direct access to 4K and HD stock videos within Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
  • Your team values testing watermarked images inside design projects before licensing.
  • You work in creative agencies or marketing teams using Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your budget is very limited and you need free or low-cost stock content.
  • You need highly specialized or niche stock media not covered by mainstream libraries.

Shutterstock

Best for mid-to-large creative teams needing extensive stock assets with collaboration tools.

Choose if
  • You require a vast global library of premium stock images and assets.
  • Your team needs integrated editing and collaboration features within the platform.
  • You want robust API capabilities to integrate stock assets into your workflows.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a freelancer or individual looking for low-cost, straightforward stock images.
  • Your company needs highly specialized or niche image libraries not covered by Shutterstock.

Adobe Stock: Best for Adobe users needing high-quality stock media with seamless app integration. Shutterstock: Best for mid-to-large creative teams needing extensive stock assets with collaboration tools.

Description

Adobe Stock is a powerful creative Cloud platform with incredible quality content. With this service, users can access an immense library of 4K, HD stock videos, as well as motion graphic ... Read More about Adobe Stock

Introducing Shutterstock: a cutting-edge SaaS platform that empowers your creativity. With a global reach, we offer a plethora of premium assets and innovative editing and collaboration ... Read More about Shutterstock

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $29.99
  • Starts from $29 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.1

(83)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
51-500 employees500+ employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Adobe Stock and Shutterstock Compare on Features?

Total Features

5 Features

0 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No features

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Get Quote

Compare Adobe Stock and Shutterstock on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $29.99
      • $29 , Billed Yearly

      Pricing Plans

      • Individuals 1

        • 10 Standard assets a month

        • Rollover up to 120 unused licenses

        • Standard assets include (high-res) photos, vectors, illustrations, and music tracks

      • Individual 2

        • 40 Standard assets a month

        • Rollover up to 480 unused licenses

        • Standard assets include (high-res) photos, vectors, illustrations, and music tracks

      • Individual 3

        • 750 Standard assets a month

        • Standard assets include (high-res) photos, vectors, illustrations, and music tracks

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Shutterstock

        • 10 Images

        • Standard license

        • Autorenewal with easy opt-out

        Show more +

      • On-demand packs

        • 5 Images

        • Standard license

        • Enhanced license

        Show more +

      • Teams

        • 2 users

        • 750 images/month, up to 2 team members

        • Create designs with professional editing features

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans

      Pricing Page

      Adobe Stock pricing
      Shutterstock pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Adobe Stock User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      2.4

      (based on 2180 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      122

      36

      11

      11

      53

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate Adobe Stock's integration and content quality but express concerns about pricing and value.

      What buyers like

      • Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud
      • Content quality
      • Ease of licensing and downloading

      Common complaints

      • Pricing and cost
      • Limited pricing transparency

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall user sentiment is mixed to negative, with many users expressing dissatisfaction despite the platform's extensive features.

      What buyers like

      • Large and diverse image library
      • API integration
      • Mobile app functionality

      Common complaints

      • Pricing complexity
      • User experience issues

      Pros and Cons

      • Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud applications

      • High-quality 4K and HD stock videos and images

      • Ability to test watermarked images directly within design projects

      • Relatively high cost compared to some competitors

      • Limited pricing transparency due to quotation-based and subscription models

      • Extensive global library of premium stock assets

      • Robust API integration capabilities

      • Professional image editing and collaboration tools

      • Relatively low user rating (2.4/5) indicating user dissatisfaction

      • Pricing details are not fully transparent or standardized

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Landing Page Content Tagger Preview

      1 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Adobe Stock and Shutterstock in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Adobe Stock or Shutterstock?
      Adobe Stock edges out the other on user ratings (3.1 vs 2.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Adobe Stock and Shutterstock offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Adobe Stock and Shutterstock offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Adobe Stock vs Shutterstock?
      Adobe Stock starts at $29.99. Shutterstock starts at $29 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Adobe Stock?
      Top alternatives to Adobe Stock include Adobe Bridge, Qualified, Storyblocks, StockAI, Vimeo Stock.
      What are the top alternatives to Shutterstock?
      Top alternatives to Shutterstock include StockAI, Imgartfis Creator, Getimg.ai, 123RF, Pexels.

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