Pond5 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 Pond5 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:
Pond5
Download royalty-free stock video, music, sound effects, photos, and templates for any project.
Best for you if:
- • You want extensive and diverse library of media assets
Shutterstock
Stock images, photos, and videos
Best for you if:
- • You want massive library
| At a Glance | Pond5 | Shutterstock |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Not published | From $29/mo, billed monthly Subscription plan |
Category | Stock Assets Video & Media | Graphic Design Image Editing |
Rating | 4.5/5 Trustpilot 4.6 · G2 4.3 16,034 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 1,196 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Pond5 or Shutterstock?
Choose Pond5 if
- You want extensive and diverse library of media assets
- You want high-quality content from professional artists
- You work in stock assets, not graphic design
Choose Shutterstock if
- You want massive library
- You want high quality content
- You work in graphic design, not stock assets
In-Depth Analysis
Pond5
Download royalty-free stock video, music, sound effects, photos, and templates for any project.
Strengths
- Pro: Extensive and diverse library of media assets
- Pro: High-quality content from professional artists
- Pro: Worry-free, comprehensive licensing for broad use
- Pro: Flexible pricing options for various project needs
- Pro: Easy-to-use search functionality, including visual similarity
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier available
- Con: Pricing details not explicitly listed on the landing page (requires viewing pricing options)
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: Pond5 vs Shutterstock
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pond5 | No plan prices on file | pond5.com |
| 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 Pond5 pricing and Shutterstock pricing.
Key Takeaways
Pond5
- Choose if you want download royalty-free stock video, music, sound effects, photos, and templates for any project
Shutterstock
- Choose if you want stock images, photos, and videos
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 are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 16,034 reviews for Pond5, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock).
- Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Pond5 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 Pond5 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 are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 16,034 reviews for Pond5, 4.4/5 from 1,196 reviews for Shutterstock). Shutterstock starts at $29/mo, billed monthly; Pond5 has no public paid plan price on file.
What are Pond5 and Shutterstock used for?
Pond5: Download royalty-free stock video, music, sound effects, photos, and templates for any project. Shutterstock: Stock images, photos, and videos.
What does Pond5 cost vs Shutterstock?
Pond5 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 Pond5 and Shutterstock?
Pond5's main strength: extensive and diverse library of media assets. Shutterstock's main strength: massive library.