Burst 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 Burst and Shutterstock side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Burst leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall 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:
Burst
Download thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free stock photos for commercial and personal use.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Shutterstock requires payment)
Shutterstock
Stock images, photos, and videos
Best for you if:
- • You want massive library
| At a Glance | Burst | Shutterstock |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $29/mo, billed monthly Subscription plan |
Category | Graphic Design Stock Assets | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 42 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 1,196 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Burst or Shutterstock?
Choose Burst if
- You want a fully free tool (Shutterstock requires payment)
- You want completely free to use for any purpose, including commercial
- You want high-quality, professional-grade photos
Choose Shutterstock if
- You want massive library
- You want high quality content
In-Depth Analysis
Burst
Download thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free stock photos for commercial and personal use.
Burst's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering all features completely free of charge.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free to use for any purpose, including commercial
- Pro: High-quality, professional-grade photos
- Pro: No attribution required, offering flexibility
- Pro: Easy to download with resolution options
- Pro: Curated collections are helpful for specific niches like e-commerce
Weaknesses
- Con: Library size might be smaller compared to paid stock photo sites
- Con: Specific niche photos might be limited
- Con: Primarily focused on supporting Shopify users, though usable by anyone
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: Burst vs Shutterstock
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Burst |
| burst.shopify.com read Sep 28, 2026 |
| 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 Burst pricing and Shutterstock pricing.
Key Takeaways
Burst
- Has a free plan
Shutterstock
- Choose if you want stock images, photos, and videos
What the data shows
On the data below, Burst leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 42 reviews for Burst, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock).
- Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Burst has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Burst has a free plan.
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 Burst and Shutterstock compare in 2026?
On the data below, Burst leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 42 reviews for Burst, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock). Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Burst has no public paid plan price on file. Only Burst has a free plan.
What are Burst and Shutterstock used for?
Burst: Download thousands of high-resolution, royalty-free stock photos for commercial and personal use. Shutterstock: Stock images, photos, and videos.
What does Burst cost vs Shutterstock?
Burst is free. 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 Burst and Shutterstock?
Burst's main strength: completely free to use for any purpose, including commercial. Shutterstock's main strength: massive library.