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PhotoRoom 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 PhotoRoom and Shutterstock side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.

On the data: On the data below, PhotoRoom leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.

Data comparison compiled by Toolradar, not hand-reviewed Methodology
Data comparison 1,232 user reviews compared Pricing checked Sep 30, 2026

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:

PhotoRoom

AI photo editing for product images

Best for you if:

  • • You want a free tier before you commit

Shutterstock

Stock images, photos, and videos

Best for you if:

  • • You want massive library
At a glance: PhotoRoom vs Shutterstock
At a Glance
PhotoRoom PhotoRoom
Shutterstock Shutterstock
Starts at
Free plan, paid from $12.99/mo, billed monthly Pro plan
From $29/mo, billed monthly Subscription plan
Category
Graphic Design Image Editing
Graphic Design Image Editing
Rating
4.4/5 G2 4.3 · Capterra 4.6 36 reviews 4.4/5 G2 4.4 1,196 reviews
Free plan
Yes No

Choose PhotoRoom or Shutterstock?

PhotoRoom

Choose PhotoRoom if

  • You want a free tier before you commit
  • You want AI background removal
  • You want good for e-commerce
  • Budget matters ($12.99/mo, billed monthly vs $29/mo, billed monthly)
Shutterstock

Choose Shutterstock if

  • You want massive library
  • You want high quality content

In-Depth Analysis

PhotoRoom PhotoRoom

AI photo editing for product images

Good value

PhotoRoom's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for basic needs and a competitive Pro plan at $12.99/month for individuals.

Strengths

  • Pro: AI background removal
  • Pro: Good for e-commerce
  • Pro: Batch processing
  • Pro: Fair pricing
  • Pro: Active development

Weaknesses

  • Con: Quality varies
  • Con: Limited free tier
  • Con: Subscription model
  • Con: Better alternatives exist
  • Con: Feature limitations

Key features

AI photo editing Background removal Product photos Templates API E-commerce focus

Shutterstock Shutterstock

Stock images, photos, and videos

Fair value

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

Stock photography Video clips Music library AI image generation Editorial content Enterprise licensing

Plans and prices: PhotoRoom vs Shutterstock

Plans and prices of PhotoRoom and Shutterstock, as read on each vendor's pricing page. Each plan keeps its own billing unit.
Tool Plans and prices Source
PhotoRoom
  • Free: Free
  • Pro: $12.99/mo, billed monthly
  • Business: Custom pricing
photoroom.com/pricing read Sep 30, 2026
Shutterstock
  • On-demand: $49/mo
  • Subscription: $29/mo, billed monthly
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 PhotoRoom pricing and Shutterstock pricing.

Key Takeaways

PhotoRoom

  • Lower entry price: $12.99/mo, billed monthly vs $29/mo, billed monthly
  • Has a free plan

Shutterstock

  • Choose if you want stock images, photos, and videos

What the data shows

On the data below, PhotoRoom leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.

  • User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 36 reviews for PhotoRoom, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock).
  • PhotoRoom has the lower entry price: $12.99/mo, billed monthly (Pro) against $29/mo, billed monthly (Subscription) for Shutterstock.
  • Only PhotoRoom 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 PhotoRoom and Shutterstock compare in 2026?

On the data below, PhotoRoom leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 36 reviews for PhotoRoom, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock). PhotoRoom has the lower entry price: $12.99/mo, billed monthly (Pro) against $29/mo, billed monthly (Subscription) for Shutterstock. Only PhotoRoom has a free plan.

What are PhotoRoom and Shutterstock used for?

PhotoRoom: AI photo editing for product images. Shutterstock: Stock images, photos, and videos.

What does PhotoRoom cost vs Shutterstock?

PhotoRoom's cheapest paid plan is Pro at $12.99/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. 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 PhotoRoom and Shutterstock?

PhotoRoom's main strength: AI background removal. Shutterstock's main strength: massive library.

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