What is iStock?
iStock is a royalty-free stock content site from Getty Images that licenses photos, illustrations, vectors, video clips and music for marketing, editorial and design projects. It is positioned as the more affordable sibling of Getty Images, with content split into a Basic collection of everyday images and a Premium collection of exclusive, higher-end visuals. iStock states that its library does not accept AI-generated visuals from contributors.
iStock sells access in two ways. Subscriptions give a set number of downloads each month at a lower price per file, with tiers for Basic, Premium and Premium plus video. Credit packs suit occasional buyers, with each asset costing a set number of credits. iStock also offers AI tools for generating new images and modifying existing iStock images, plus free weekly and monthly content.
iStock at a glance
How does iStock work?
- Pick subscriptions or credits
Choose a monthly download subscription if you license often, or buy credits if you only need a few files.
- Search the collections
Search by keyword, image or video, and filter between Basic and Premium content.
- License and download
Use subscription downloads or credits to license the file under the standard license, adding an extended license if needed.
- Generate or modify with AI
On eligible plans, generate new images or adjust existing iStock images with the built-in AI tools.
iStock key features
Basic and Premium collections
Basic covers everyday photos, illustrations and vectors, while Premium adds exclusive images not found in the lower tier.
Stock video and music
The Premium + Video plan adds video clips, music and sound effects to image downloads.
Human-made library
iStock does not accept AI-generated visuals in its library, which matters to brands that want real photography.
AI generation and editing
AI tools let you generate new images and modify iStock images, with image generation included on Premium plans.
Flexible credits
Credit packs cost less per credit the more you buy, with Basic images at 1 credit and Premium video at 18 credits.
Extended licenses
Add an extended license for 18 credits on images or 21 on video when you need broader rights.
Free content
A free Premium photo each week, plus free illustrations and video clips each month.
Why use iStock?
- You get Getty Images-quality content at lower prices than Getty's own site.
- A human-made library avoids AI-generated stock in your campaigns.
- Credits let you buy a few assets without committing to a subscription.
- Search by image or video helps you find visually similar content quickly.
- Free weekly and monthly assets let you try the service before you pay.
Who is iStock best for?
A good fit for
- Marketing teams needing reliable commercial imagery
- Small businesses buying a few images at a time
- Agencies that want premium visuals at moderate cost
- Brands that prefer human-made photography
Less suited to
- High-volume users who want unlimited downloads
- Video-heavy teams on a tight budget, since Premium video costs 18 credits per clip
- Users who want AI-generated stock in the library itself
iStock pricing
| Pricing model | Subscription |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | Not confirmed |
| Starting price | $29/month (Basic subscription) |
Subscriptions come in Basic ($29), Premium ($70) and Premium + Video tiers, with monthly download limits from 10 upward. Credit packs scale down in price per credit as you buy more.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official iStock pricing page before you buy.
iStock pros and cons
Pros
- Quality content backed by Getty Images
- Human-made library with no AI-generated stock
- Choice of subscriptions or credits
- Free weekly Premium photo
Cons
- No unlimited download plan
- Premium content and video cost much more per file
- No free trial listed
iStock integrations and platforms
Available on
iStock alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best Stock Media Sites.
iStock FAQ
Is iStock free?
iStock is a paid stock site, but it gives away a free Premium photo each week and free illustrations and video clips each month. Its pricing page does not list a free trial. Subscriptions start at $29 per month for Basic, and credit packs are available for occasional buyers.
What is the difference between iStock and Getty Images?
iStock is part of Getty Images. iStock focuses on affordable royalty-free stock with simple subscriptions and credit packs, while Getty Images offers higher-end creative and editorial content with custom pricing. Many businesses use iStock for everyday marketing and Getty Images for premium campaigns or news imagery.
What happened to iStock Essentials and Signature?
iStock renamed its collections. Essentials is now called Basic, and Signature is now called Premium. Older references to Essentials and Signature refer to the same content and tiers, so licenses and pricing tiers follow the new names.
iStock vs Shutterstock: what's the difference?
iStock sells subscriptions with set monthly download limits and credit packs, and keeps its library free of AI-generated visuals. Shutterstock offers unlimited plans for images and an Unlimited Plus plan covering video, music and sound effects. High-volume teams often prefer Shutterstock, while buyers wanting curated human-made content may prefer iStock.
Can I use iStock images commercially?
Yes. iStock assets come with a standard license that covers most commercial uses, such as ads, websites and social posts. For broader uses, you can add an extended license for 18 credits on images or 21 credits on video. Premium subscribers can also arrange a Film and TV rider.
Sources
This overview is based on iStock's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.