The demand for high-quality stock videos and photos has skyrocketed in recent years, driven by the rapid growth of digital media and online content creation. As a result, numerous platforms have emerged, offering a wide range of stock assets for purchase. In this article, we will explore the top 25 websites for selling stock videos and photos, providing creators and buyers with a comprehensive guide to the most reputable and successful platforms in the industry.
- Shutterstock: Shutterstock is one of the most popular stock media marketplaces, boasting an extensive library of millions of stock videos and photos. It offers a straightforward submission process for contributors and a robust search engine for buyers, making it an excellent platform for both parties.
- Adobe Stock: Adobe Stock is a reliable platform that integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Contributors can easily upload their content, while buyers benefit from the vast collection of high-quality stock videos and photos available.
- Getty Images: Getty Images is a leading stock media provider, renowned for its diverse range of content. It maintains high standards for quality and offers a global customer base, making it an attractive platform for both contributors and buyers.
- iStock: iStock, owned by Getty Images, focuses on providing affordable stock media options. It offers different pricing tiers and licenses to cater to a wide range of budgets and requirements. Contributors can easily submit their work and receive royalties for each sale.
- Pond5: Pond5 is known for its vast collection of stock videos and photos, covering a wide variety of themes and styles. It provides contributors with a simple uploading process and a flexible pricing model, while buyers enjoy access to high-quality assets.
- Alamy: Alamy distinguishes itself by offering a fair revenue share to contributors, with rates starting at 50%. It also accepts a wide range of content types, including editorial images, making it an appealing platform for photographers.
- Dreamstime: Dreamstime offers a user-friendly platform for contributors, along with competitive royalty rates. With a focus on community engagement, it encourages contributors to interact with one another and participate in contests and challenges.
- 123RF: 123RF provides a vast collection of stock media, including videos, photos, vectors, and more. It offers flexible payment options for contributors and features a subscription model for buyers, allowing them to access a specific number of downloads per month.
- Depositphotos: Depositphotos is known for its streamlined submission process, allowing contributors to upload content quickly. It offers flexible pricing plans for buyers and provides contributors with competitive royalties based on their performance.
- Storyblocks: Storyblocks, formerly known as Videoblocks, offers a subscription-based model, providing buyers with unlimited access to a vast library of stock videos, photos, and music. Contributors receive royalties based on downloads and can participate in the marketplace’s exclusive content program.
- Canva: Canva has gained popularity as a user-friendly design tool, but it also offers a stock media marketplace. Contributors can upload their content directly to Canva, making it easily accessible to millions of users who utilize the platform for their design needs.
- MotionElements: MotionElements specializes in video-related stock media, including motion graphics, 3D models, and After Effects templates. It caters to a niche audience of video creators and provides contributors with various monetization options.
- Shutterstock Custom: Shutterstock Custom focuses on providing custom-made content to clients, including photos and videos. Contributors can participate in various paid assignments and receive compensation based on the project requirements.
- Vimeo Stock: Vimeo Stock is a relatively new player in the stock media industry, but it has quickly gained recognition for its high-quality collection of videos. Contributors receive competitive royalties, and buyers can access exclusive content through Vimeo’s creative community.
- Stocksy: Stocksy is a cooperative stock media agency, owned and operated by its contributors. It maintains high standards for quality and curation and offers contributors a fair and transparent revenue-sharing model.
- EyeEm: EyeEm combines a stock media marketplace with a robust community of photographers. Contributors can license their photos for commercial use, and the platform also offers opportunities for photographers to participate in paid assignments and brand collaborations.
- Foap: Foap provides a platform for photographers to sell their photos directly to buyers, with a focus on mobile photography. It offers a user-friendly app and hosts regular photo missions and challenges for contributors to earn extra income.
- Dissolve: Dissolve offers high-quality stock videos and photos, catering to a wide range of creative needs. It provides contributors with competitive royalties and offers exclusive distribution partnerships to maximize exposure for their work.
- Bigstock: Bigstock, owned by Shutterstock, offers a straightforward submission process and competitive royalties for contributors. It provides buyers with a vast collection of stock media, including videos, photos, and vectors.
- Adobe Premium Stock: Adobe Premium Stock is a curated collection of premium stock videos and photos available to Adobe Creative Cloud users. Contributors can easily submit their content through the Adobe Stock platform, gaining exposure to a large customer base.
- Unsplash: Unsplash is a unique platform that offers high-quality, royalty-free photos for free. While it does not provide monetary compensation for contributors, it offers exposure to a massive audience and potential collaborations with brands and publishers.
- Pixabay: Pixabay follows a similar model to Unsplash, offering a vast collection of free stock photos and videos. It relies on donations and partnerships for revenue but provides contributors with a platform to showcase their work.
- Getty Images Signature: Getty Images Signature represents a curated collection of premium stock media, highlighting the work of exceptional contributors. It offers competitive royalties and exposure to high-profile clients, making it an attractive platform for professional photographers.
- Envato Elements: Envato Elements is a subscription-based platform that provides unlimited access to a vast library of digital assets, including stock videos and photos. Contributors receive royalties based on downloads, ensuring a steady stream of income.
- Can Stock Photo: Can Stock Photo offers a straightforward submission process for contributors, along with competitive royalties. It hosts a vast collection of stock images, vectors, and videos, catering to a wide range of creative projects.