Shutterstock vs DepositPhotos
Choose Shutterstock if you want one plan for images, video, music, and sound effects; choose DepositPhotos if you want a month-to-month unlimited image plan. Both offer stock media, mobile apps, and business options, but their published plans differ most in what an unlimited subscription includes and how it is billed.
Last updated October 24, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Shutterstock | DepositPhotos |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited image plan | $29/month, billed yearly; 83M+ selected images. | $29/month, billed monthly; 190M+ images. |
| Unlimited multimedia | Unlimited Plus: images, video, music, and SFX; $69/month billed yearly. | Separate image, video, and audio plans. |
| Unlimited audio plan | Music and SFX included in Unlimited Plus. | $12.99/month, billed monthly. |
| Prepaid image packs | From $29 for 2 images. | From $27 for 3 images. |
| Business users | Published team plans for up to 10 or 20 users. | Team plans up to 2 users; enterprise unlimited. |
| Unlimited-plan limits | Fair-use limit of 100 downloads daily. | Intensive activity may trigger temporary review. |
| Standard image license | Commercial use; fewer than 500,000 prints. | Commercial use; up to 500,000 prints. |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, and Android. | Web, iOS, and Android. |
| Integrations | API; enterprise SAML single sign-on. | Creative APIs; reseller API program. |
| Live-chat support | English-language human support 24/5. | Live chat 24/7. |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shutterstock if
- Creators who want images, video, music, and sound effects in one plan.
- Teams seeking published plans covering up to 20 users.
- Buyers who need a small, prepaid two-image pack.
Choose DepositPhotos if
- Image buyers seeking unlimited downloads with month-to-month billing.
- Audio buyers seeking a separately priced monthly unlimited plan.
- Buyers who want 24/7 live-chat support.
The verdict
Shutterstock is the better fit when a single multimedia subscription or a larger published team-seat range is the deciding factor. DepositPhotos is the better fit when you primarily need images without an annual commitment, or want its separately priced unlimited audio plan. Compare the license and included library for the specific plan you intend to buy.
Shutterstock vs DepositPhotos: common questions
- Which is better for images without an annual commitment?
- DepositPhotos publishes a $29-per-month unlimited image plan billed monthly and cancellable anytime. Shutterstock publishes a $29-per-month unlimited image plan billed yearly; it also offers other image plans and packs.
- Can one subscription cover images, video, and music?
- Shutterstock Unlimited Plus includes images, video, music, and sound effects for $69 per month billed yearly. DepositPhotos publishes separate image, video, and audio plans.
- Do unlimited plans include every file?
- No such blanket promise appears in these plans. Shutterstock specifies selected libraries of 83 million-plus images or 100 million-plus multimedia assets. DepositPhotos specifies more than 190 million images in its unlimited image plan.
- Are unlimited downloads subject to usage controls?
- Yes. Shutterstock states a fair-use limit of 100 downloads per day. DepositPhotos says unusually intensive activity may temporarily trigger automated protection and review.
- Can a business share an individual plan across staff?
- Individual plans are intended for one user at both vendors. Shutterstock publishes multi-user team plans, while DepositPhotos publishes team plans for up to two users and enterprise plans for larger groups.
- Can I keep using licensed images after cancelling?
- Shutterstock says its Standard and Enhanced image licenses grant perpetual use of downloaded content. DepositPhotos says downloaded images retain lifetime usage rights after a plan expires. Each license's other restrictions still apply.
- Are there iOS and Android apps?
- Yes. Shutterstock and DepositPhotos both publish iOS and Android apps that let customers find and download stock content.
- Can I buy just a few images instead of subscribing?
- Yes. Shutterstock publishes prepaid image packs starting at two images for $29. DepositPhotos publishes packs starting at three images for $27. Both vendors say pack downloads are available for one year.