Shutterstock vs 123RF Comparison
Shutterstock
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…
123RF
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
123RF offers a wide variety of images, sounds and motion provided by talented creators from around the world. Using advanced data science and Artificial Intelligence, the search engine tailors the results to provide you…
123RF leads on user satisfaction with a 3.9-star rating across 1,911 reviews.
Shutterstock vs 123RF — at a glance
| Feature | Shutterstock | 123RF |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2.4 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 2,180 | 1,911 |
| Starting price | $29 /Month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Stock Photos Websites | Stock Photos Websites |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | Global |
Key differences between Shutterstock and 123RF
- Pricing: Shutterstock starts at $29 /Month. 123RF pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: Shutterstock offers a free trial; 123RF does not.
- User satisfaction: 123RF scores higher with a 3.9-star average.
- Deployment: Shutterstock supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; 123RF supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Shutterstock vs 123RF — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for mid-to-large creative teams needing extensive stock assets with collaboration tools.
- 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.
- 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.
Best for small to medium businesses needing diverse AI-curated stock content.
- You want a broad selection of images, sounds, and motion content in one platform.
- You value AI-powered search that tailors results and avoids duplicate downloads.
- You need simple, streamlined workflows suitable for marketing and design teams.
- Your company requires highly specialized or niche imagery not widely available.
- You need transparent pricing and clear licensing details before committing.
Shutterstock: Best for mid-to-large creative teams needing extensive stock assets with collaboration tools. 123RF: Best for small to medium businesses needing diverse AI-curated stock content.
Description | 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 | 123RF offers a wide variety of images, sounds and motion provided by talented creators from around the world. Using advanced data science and Artificial Intelligence, the search engine ... Read More about 123RF |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 51-500 employees500+ employees | Small BusinessMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Shutterstock and 123RF Compare on Features?
Total Features | 0 Features | 4 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Shutterstock and 123RF 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.
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Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
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GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Shutterstock User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 2.4 (based on 2180 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall user sentiment is mixed to negative, with many users expressing dissatisfaction despite the platform's extensive features. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyers appreciate the variety and AI-driven search but note mixed satisfaction due to pricing opacity and content limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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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 | No screenshots available. |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  3 Videos |
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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, Shutterstock or 123RF?
- 123RF edges out the other on user ratings (3.9 vs 2.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Shutterstock and 123RF offer a free trial?
- Shutterstock offers a free trial. 123RF does not.
- What is the starting price of Shutterstock vs 123RF?
- Shutterstock starts at $29 /Month. 123RF starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to Shutterstock?
- Top alternatives to Shutterstock include StockAI, Imgartfis Creator, Getimg.ai, 123RF, Pexels.
- What are the top alternatives to 123RF?
- Top alternatives to 123RF include Qualified, StockAI, Workvivo, Death to Stock, Pexels.