# Dreamstime vs Shutterstock Comparison

---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Dreamstime vs Shutterstock?

Shutterstock stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction scores and larger all-time mention counts for image quality and collection size, while Dreamstime is noted for its contributor-friendly platform and affordability.

| [Dreamstime](https://www.g2.com/products/dreamstime/reviews) | [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.3/5 (646 reviews) | 4.4/5 (656 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 8.4 | 9.1 |
| 7.7 | 8.4 |
| Selection Variety (27 all-time mentions) | Images (49 all-time mentions) |



### How do the pricing models of Dreamstime and Shutterstock compare?

Shutterstock is rated higher for value and pricing satisfaction, with a stronger Price/Cost dimension score than Dreamstime.

- **Dreamstime:** In recent reviews, buyers highlight Dreamstime's affordability and flexible options, but some mention that free content is limited and pricing can feel high for certain assets.
- **Shutterstock:** Reviewers frequently cite Shutterstock's pricing as expensive, especially for frequent or large-scale use, but also note the value in its vast, high-quality library and clear licensing.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention switching to Dreamstime for more affordable options, while others move to Shutterstock for its broader selection and professional quality.



### What are the best alternatives to Dreamstime and Shutterstock?

Storyblocks, Adobe Stock, and iStock are the top three alternatives to Dreamstime and Shutterstock according to G2 rankings.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Dreamstime](https://www.g2.com/products/dreamstime/reviews) | 4.3/5 (646 reviews) | Small-Business | Affordable options, but some find free content limited | Selection Variety |
| [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) | 4.4/5 (656 reviews) | Small-Business | Expensive for frequent use, but valued for quality and breadth | Images |
| [Storyblocks](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblocks/reviews) | 4.6/5 (429 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Extensive video and audio library |
| [Adobe Stock](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-adobe-stock/reviews) | 4.3/5 (194 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud |
| [iStock](https://www.g2.com/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) | 3.5/5 (117 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Brand recognition and curated collections |



### Which Stock Photos features should I prioritize when comparing Dreamstime and Shutterstock?

Buyers should prioritize image quality, collection size, ease of use, pricing satisfaction, and contributor support when comparing Dreamstime and Shutterstock.

- **Image Quality:** Dreamstime (22 all-time mentions), Shutterstock (36 all-time mentions)
- **Collection Size/Variety:** Dreamstime (Selection Variety: 27, Variety: 21), Shutterstock (Collection Size: 22, Variety: 16)
- **Ease of Use:** Dreamstime (8.5), Shutterstock (9.1)
- **Pricing Satisfaction:** Dreamstime (Affordable: 5 all-time mentions), Shutterstock (Expensive: 31 all-time mentions, Cost: 18 all-time mentions)
- **Contributor Support:** Dreamstime is frequently cited for being contributor-friendly and supporting independent creators.



### What are the pros and cons of Dreamstime vs Shutterstock?

Shutterstock's headline strength is its massive, high-quality image and video library, while Dreamstime is praised for affordability and contributor support.

- **Dreamstime strengths:** Selection Variety (27 all-time mentions), Images (25), Quality (22), Ease of Use (16), Affordable (5), Contributor support and beginner-friendly platform.
- **Dreamstime trade-offs:** Cost (7), Download Issues (4), Limited Selection (3), Some reviewers note difficulty filtering AI-generated content and occasional navigation challenges.
- **Shutterstock strengths:** Images (49 all-time mentions), Quality (36), Video Availability (36), Ease of Use (34), Collection Size (22), Professional licensing and search filters.
- **Shutterstock trade-offs:** Expensive (31), Cost (18), Repetitive (12), Pricing Issues (11), Some reviewers cite high subscription costs and rigid cancellation policies.



### Is Dreamstime or Shutterstock better for small businesses?

Both Dreamstime and Shutterstock are primarily used by small businesses, but Shutterstock receives higher satisfaction scores from small-business reviewers.

- **Dreamstime:** Small-Business segment; reviewers appreciate affordability and contributor support, but some cite limited free content and navigation issues.
- **Shutterstock:** Small-Business segment; reviewers highlight the vast, high-quality library and ease of use, though pricing is a common concern.



### Which Stock Photos platform has better integrations?

Shutterstock and Dreamstime are at parity for integrations, as neither product has reviewer-cited integration data available.

- **Dreamstime:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.
- **Shutterstock:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.



### How do Dreamstime and Shutterstock compare on customer support?

Shutterstock scores higher on Quality of Support, with a 0.7-point advantage over Dreamstime (8.4 vs 7.7).

- **Dreamstime:** Reviewers describe support as helpful and responsive, but some mention slow response times and difficulty with certain processes.
- **Shutterstock:** Many reviewers highlight prompt, knowledgeable support and clear licensing help, though a few cite issues with subscription cancellations and billing.



### Which is easier to implement, Dreamstime or Shutterstock?

Shutterstock leads Dreamstime on Ease of Setup by 0.7 points (9.1 vs 8.4), indicating a smoother implementation experience.

- **Dreamstime:** Reviewers note a generally straightforward setup, but some mention occasional navigation and upload process challenges.
- **Shutterstock:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as fast, easy, and user-friendly, with minimal training required.



### Which product has better Subscription?

Shutterstock is favored for Subscription, as it is the most frequently mentioned feature across both products' reviews.

- **Dreamstime:** Subscription plans are mentioned in recent reviews, with some buyers appreciating flexibility but others citing confusion over rules and automatic plan placement.
- **Shutterstock:** Subscription is a recurring theme in reviews, with many citing satisfaction with plan flexibility and access, but some expressing frustration with cancellation policies and pricing.



| | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 645 | 655 | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Dreamstime

Pros:
- Images (45 reviews)
- Ease of Use (42 reviews)

Cons:
- Cost (17 reviews)
- Expensive (12 reviews)

### Shutterstock

Pros:
- Images (50 reviews)
- Quality (36 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (31 reviews)
- Cost (18 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 7.7 (32 reviews) | 8.9 (521 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (565 reviews) | 9.1 (525 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.4 (525 reviews) | 9.1 (172 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | Not enough data | 9.0 (123 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 7.6 (22 reviews) | 8.4 (432 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | Not enough data | 8.7 (125 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 5.8 (28 reviews) | 8.0 (506 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Dreamstime

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: 15 Downloads / Month

Price: $25.00 15 Downloads Per Month

Key Features:
- Any size / resolution
- Unlimited printed and downloaded copies
- Lifetime license

[Browse all 14 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/dreamstime/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Shutterstock

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Stock Footage

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Dreamstime** | N/A | N/A |
| **Shutterstock** | 7.8/10 | 226 |

#### Pricing

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Free Footage** | Not enough data | 6.7 (145 reviews) | 
| **Pay Per Image** | Not enough data | 7.5 (156 reviews) | 
| **Subscription** | Not enough data | 8.0 (172 reviews) | 

#### Media

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **360/VR** | Not enough data | Feature Not Available | 
| **Animation** | Not enough data | 7.7 (120 reviews) | 
| **4K High Definition** | Not enough data | 8.5 (154 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Stock Footage

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 7.9 (36 reviews) | 

### Stock Music

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Dreamstime** | N/A | N/A |
| **Shutterstock** | 8.7/10 | 112 |

#### Media

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Sounds Effects** | Not enough data | 8.4 (77 reviews) | 
| **Genre Tagging** | Not enough data | 8.4 (76 reviews) | 

#### Pricing

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Royalty Free** | Not enough data | 8.4 (84 reviews) | 
| **Pay Per Track** | Not enough data | 8.0 (66 reviews) | 
| **Subscription** | Not enough data | 8.3 (75 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Stock Music

| Feature | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | 8.3 (27 reviews) | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Stock Photos Websites](https://www.g2.com/categories/stock-photos)


**Unique to Shutterstock (2):** [Stock Music Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/stock-music), [Stock Footage Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/stock-footage)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Dreamstime | Shutterstock | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 95.6% | 62.2% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 3.3% | 30.3% | 
| **Enterprise** | 1.1% | 7.5% | 

### By Industry

#### Dreamstime

- **Arts and Crafts:** 8.9%
- **Design:** 8.8%
- **Graphic Design:** 6.7%
- **Photography:** 6.4%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 4.8%
- **Publishing:** 4.5%
- **Consulting:** 3.0%
- **Entertainment:** 2.8%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 2.7%
- **Writing and Editing:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 48.9%

#### Shutterstock

- **Marketing and Advertising:** 18.3%
- **Graphic Design:** 9.1%
- **Design:** 6.3%
- **Computer Software:** 4.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 4.9%
- **Consumer Services:** 4.5%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 2.7%
- **Financial Services:** 2.2%
- **Media Production:** 2.0%
- **Higher Education:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 43.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Dreamstime

- [Adobe Stock](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-adobe-stock/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (194 reviews)
- [iStock](https://www.g2.com/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) — 3.5/5 stars (117 reviews)
- [Depositphotos](https://www.g2.com/products/depositphotos-inc-depositphotos/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (45 reviews)
- [Storyblocks](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblocks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (429 reviews)
- [Magnific](https://www.g2.com/products/magnific/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (174 reviews)
- [123RF](https://www.g2.com/products/123rf/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [Vecteezy](https://www.g2.com/products/vecteezy/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (8648 reviews)
- [Alamy](https://www.g2.com/products/alamy/reviews) — 3.5/5 stars (10 reviews)
- [Flickr](https://www.g2.com/products/flickr/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (332 reviews)
- [PixaBay](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (163 reviews)

### Alternatives to Shutterstock

- [Storyblocks](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblocks/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (429 reviews)
- [iStock](https://www.g2.com/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) — 3.5/5 stars (117 reviews)
- [123RF](https://www.g2.com/products/123rf/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [Vecteezy](https://www.g2.com/products/vecteezy/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (8648 reviews)
- [Adobe Stock](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-adobe-stock/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (194 reviews)
- [PixaBay](https://www.g2.com/products/pixabay/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (163 reviews)
- [Pexels](https://www.g2.com/products/pexels/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (113 reviews)
- [JumpStory](https://www.g2.com/products/jumpstory/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (69 reviews)
- [Flickr](https://www.g2.com/products/flickr/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (332 reviews)
- [Magnific](https://www.g2.com/products/magnific/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (174 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Dreamstime

- Title: [What is Dreamstime used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-dreamstime-used-for) — 1 comment *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Dreamstime serves as a comprehensive source for high-quality visual content, enabling users to find and license images that perfectly fit their projects...."

### Shutterstock

- Title: [Can I download the videos from Shutterstock which are greater than 3minutes](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-download-the-videos-from-shutterstock-which-are-greater-than-3minutes) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "NO, because it is basically use for crate background video for our real video."
- Title: [Does anyone have an issue with this site? It's been super helpful to me.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-anyone-have-an-issue-with-this-site-it-s-been-super-helpful-to-me) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "I downloaded three images from a 10-image trial account. Next day, my account was suspended. They replied: "Your Shutterstock account has been terminated and..."
- Title: [are you wantl get earn from your photography hobbys ?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/are-you-wantl-get-earn-from-your-photography-hobbys) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Comment deleted by user."
- Title: [Why is my photo so difficult for the shutterstock to accept?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/42554-why-is-my-photo-so-difficult-for-the-shutterstock-to-accept) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Please simplify the requirements, because it is very difficult for beginners to accept photos"
- Title: [Can you please make an in between price range around $200](https://www.g2.com/discussions/26411-can-you-please-make-an-in-between-price-range-around-200) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Shutterstock will work with you on a plan that will reduce the cost of each image. "

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/dreamstime-vs-shutterstock-shutterstock)