Alamy vs Shutterstock: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Alamy and Shutterstock side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Alamy
Access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects.
Best for you if:
- • You want to access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects
Shutterstock
Stock images, photos, and videos
| At a Glance | Alamy | Shutterstock |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | From $29/mo, billed monthly Subscription plan |
Category | Stock Assets Graphic Design | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 3.5/5 G2 3.5 10 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 1,196 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Alamy or Shutterstock?
Choose Alamy if
- You want to access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects
Choose Shutterstock if
- You need graphic design features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Alamy
Access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects.
Strengths
- Pro: Extensive and diverse library of content, including niche categories.
- Pro: Commitment to authentic, non-AI-generated content.
- Pro: Strong focus on supporting content creators with fair payment.
- Pro: Specialized services and flexible licensing for large-scale productions and enterprises.
- Pro: User-friendly search capabilities, including image search.
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing details are not immediately transparent on the public pages, requiring direct inquiry for enterprise solutions.
Key features
Shutterstock
Stock images, photos, and videos
Shutterstock's pricing is on the expensive side for individual users, especially the On-demand option at $49 for just 5 images.
Strengths
- Pro: Massive library
- Pro: High quality content
- Pro: Editorial content
- Pro: Flexible licensing
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive for heavy use
- Con: Common images overused
- Con: Complex pricing
Key features
Plans and prices: Alamy vs Shutterstock
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alamy | No plan prices on file | alamy.com/prices |
| Shutterstock |
| shutterstock.com read Sep 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Alamy pricing and Shutterstock pricing.
Key Takeaways
Alamy
- Choose Alamy if you want to access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects
Shutterstock
- Worth considering for graphic design
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.5/5 from 10 reviews for Alamy, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Alamy has no public paid plan price on file.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Alamy and Shutterstock compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (3.5/5 from 10 reviews for Alamy, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Alamy has no public paid plan price on file.
What are Alamy and Shutterstock used for?
Alamy: Access a vast library of authentic stock photos, videos, and vectors for all your creative projects. Shutterstock: Stock images, photos, and videos.
What does Alamy cost vs Shutterstock?
Alamy has no public paid-plan price on file. Shutterstock's cheapest paid plan is Subscription at $29/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Alamy and Shutterstock?
Alamy's main strength: extensive and diverse library of content, including niche categories. Shutterstock's main strength: massive library.
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