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# Pond5 vs Shutterstock Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Pond5Shutterstock[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Pond5**
No pricing available

**Shutterstock**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Pond5**
$$$$$

**Shutterstock**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Pond5**
Not enough reviews yet

**Shutterstock**
9%

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Time to Implement

**Pond5** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Shutterstock** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Pond5** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Shutterstock** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Pond5**

Collection Size (1)

Financial Constraints (1)

**Shutterstock**

Images (50)

Video Availability (37)

Expensive (33)

Cost (19)

Integrations

**Pond5**
Not enough data

**Shutterstock**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_0d6021e1f6253f85ed0eb22a67eb101b/adobe-photoshop.png "Product Avatar Image")

Photoshop

](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7777b3dffcf633e3b8b328a0f135c7c5/adobe-premiere-pro.png "Product Avatar Image")

Premiere Pro

](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-premiere-pro/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/integrations)

Screenshots

**Pond5**
No screenshot available

**Shutterstock**
 ![Shutterstock screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1297768/Shutterstock-Editorial.png)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Pond5**

**8.8** /10

Based on 15 responses

**Shutterstock**

**8.9** /10

Based on 522 responses

Ease of Use

**Pond5**

**9.4** /10

Based on 15 responses

**Shutterstock**

**9.1** /10

Based on 526 responses

Ease of Setup

**Pond5** Not enough data

**Shutterstock**

**9.1** /10

Based on 173 responses

Ease of Admin

**Pond5** Not enough data

**Shutterstock**

**9.0** /10

Based on 124 responses

Quality of Support

**Pond5**

**8.7** /10

Based on 10 responses

**Shutterstock**

**8.4** /10

Based on 433 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Pond5** Not enough data

**Shutterstock**

**8.8** /10

Based on 126 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Pond5**

**7.5** /10

Based on 14 responses

**Shutterstock**

**8.0** /10

Based on 507 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Stock Footage

**7.7** /10

Based on 10 responses

**7.8** /10

Based on 227 responses

Stock Music

**8.0** /10

Based on 8 responses

**8.7** /10

Based on 113 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
75.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
24.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
75.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
24.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
62.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
30.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.5%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
62.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
30.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
7.5%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Pond5](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_be0f8d3e3f4922ce5d57272fb79b234a/shutterstock-pond5.png "Pond5")](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-pond5/reviews)
Pond5

Marketing and Advertising
18.2%

Animation
12.1%

Media Production
12.1%

Entertainment
6.1%

Airlines/Aviation
3.0%

Other
48.5%

[![Shutterstock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/19dd39b419f93df66c0f7f5549667c3b/shutterstock-shutterstock.svg "Shutterstock")](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews)
Shutterstock

Marketing and Advertising
18.3%

Graphic Design
9.1%

Design
6.3%

Computer Software
4.9%

Information Technology and Services
4.9%

Other
56.7%

Alternatives

**Pond5 Alternatives**

 ![Storyblocks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a53858b24c39c32d87876ded80439b1/storyblocks.svg "Storyblocks")

[
Storyblocks
](/products/storyblocks/reviews)

 ![Vecteezy](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c09fcde10f2fcbf011dbe92edadac585/vecteezy.svg "Vecteezy")

[
Vecteezy
](/products/vecteezy/reviews)

 ![Adobe Stock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c92ae2255a769e0f012c9d6c6b5c9ede/adobe-adobe-stock.svg "Adobe Stock")

[
Adobe Stock
](/products/adobe-adobe-stock/reviews)

 ![Artlist](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_69418bdfab31cc4ee11c3cfa3f300f58/artlist.jpg "Artlist")

[
Artlist
](/products/artlist/reviews)

**Shutterstock Alternatives**

 ![Storyblocks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9a53858b24c39c32d87876ded80439b1/storyblocks.svg "Storyblocks")

[
Storyblocks
](/products/storyblocks/reviews)

 ![iStock](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_866db67bfdbf973da16c24dd7965b41b/getty-images-istock.jpg "iStock")

[
iStock
](/products/getty-images-istock/reviews)

 ![123RF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0e3009cc93667a83e5d6ce3ff3319598/123rf.jpg "123RF")

[
123RF
](/products/123rf/reviews)

 ![Vecteezy](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c09fcde10f2fcbf011dbe92edadac585/vecteezy.svg "Vecteezy")

[
Vecteezy
](/products/vecteezy/reviews)

## Pond5 vs Shutterstock FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Shutterstock vs Pond5?

Shutterstock stands out for its larger review base and higher average rating, while Pond5 is noted for its focus on stock video and music content.

| [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) | [Pond5](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-pond5/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.4/5 (656 reviews) | 4.3/5 (34 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 9.1 | — |
| 8.4 | 8.7 |
| Images (49 all-time mentions) | Collection Size |

### How do the pricing models of Shutterstock and Pond5 compare?

Shutterstock reviewers are less satisfied with pricing than Pond5 reviewers, as reflected in sentiment and review themes.

- **Shutterstock:** In recent reviews, many cite high costs, expensive premium assets, and frustration with subscription cancellation policies.
- **Pond5:** Reviewers describe pricing as reasonable, with flexible options for individual purchases and annual memberships, though some mention high prices for certain assets.
- **Switching reasons:** Several reviewers mention leaving Shutterstock due to price hikes and restrictive cancellation terms.

### What are the best alternatives to Shutterstock and Pond5?

The top 3 alternatives to Shutterstock and Pond5 are Storyblocks, iStock, and Vecteezy.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Shutterstock](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-shutterstock/reviews) | 4.4/5 (656 reviews) | Small-Business | Pricing can be high for frequent use | Images (49 all-time mentions) |
| [Pond5](https://www.g2.com/products/shutterstock-pond5/reviews) | 4.3/5 (34 reviews) | Small-Business | Reasonable pricing, flexible options | Collection Size |
| [Storyblocks](https://www.g2.com/products/storyblocks/reviews) | 4.6/5 (429 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [iStock](https://www.g2.com/products/getty-images-istock/reviews) | 3.5/5 (117 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |
| [Vecteezy](https://www.g2.com/products/vecteezy/reviews) | 4.7/5 (8590 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — |

### Which Stock Photos features should I prioritize when comparing Shutterstock and Pond5?

Buyers comparing Shutterstock and Pond5 should prioritize content library size, pricing flexibility, licensing clarity, search and filtering, and support quality.

- **Content library size:** Shutterstock is cited for its massive collection (22 all-time mentions for collection size), while Pond5 is noted for its collection size in recent reviews.
- **Pricing flexibility:** 31 all-time mentions of "Expensive" for Shutterstock; Pond5 reviewers highlight reasonable pricing and flexible purchase options.
- **Licensing clarity:** Shutterstock receives positive feedback for straightforward licensing, but some reviewers find Pond5's licensing language confusing.
- **Search and filtering:** Shutterstock has 28 all-time mentions for easy search and 14 for search ease; Pond5 reviewers mention helpful search filters and navigation.
- **Support quality:** Shutterstock scores 8.4, Pond5 scores 8.7 on Quality of Support.

### What are the pros and cons of Shutterstock vs Pond5?

Shutterstock's headline strength is its vast, high-quality image library, while Pond5's is its flexible pricing and strong stock video and music offerings.

- **Shutterstock strengths:** Massive image and video library (22 all-time mentions for collection size), high content quality (36 all-time mentions), easy search (28 all-time mentions), and user-friendly interface.
- **Shutterstock trade-offs:** High cost and expensive premium assets (31 all-time mentions for "Expensive"), restrictive subscription cancellation policies, and some complaints about repetitive or overused images (12 all-time mentions).
- **Pond5 strengths:** Flexible pricing options, strong stock video and music selection, and positive feedback on search filters and navigation.
- **Pond5 trade-offs:** Some reviewers note a smaller library compared to competitors and occasional confusion around licensing terms.

### Is Shutterstock or Pond5 better for small businesses?

Shutterstock is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its large small-business segment and reviewer sentiment.

- **Shutterstock:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight ease of use, time savings, and a broad asset library that supports frequent small-business needs.
- **Pond5:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers appreciate flexible pricing and quality stock video, but note a smaller library and less frequent mention of small-business-specific benefits.

### Which Stock Photos platform has better integrations?

Shutterstock and Pond5 are at parity for integrations, as neither product has reviewer-cited integration data available.

- **Shutterstock:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.
- **Pond5:** No reviewer-cited integrations in recent reviews.

### How do Shutterstock and Pond5 compare on customer support?

Pond5 scores slightly higher than Shutterstock on Quality of Support, but the difference is below the materiality threshold, indicating near parity (Shutterstock 8.4, Pond5 8.7).

- **Shutterstock:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, though some mention slow responses and frustration with billing or cancellation issues.
- **Pond5:** Reviewers note positive support experiences, with several citing helpful responses and clear communication.

### Which is easier to implement, Shutterstock or Pond5?

Shutterstock and Pond5 are at parity on Ease of Setup, with Shutterstock scoring 9.1 and Pond5 lacking a published score but receiving positive qualitative feedback.

- **Shutterstock:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as quick and straightforward, with many citing ease of implementation and immediate usability.
- **Pond5:** Reviewers mention easy navigation and setup, with no reported implementation barriers.

### Which product has better Subscription?

Shutterstock is more frequently cited for its Subscription feature, with reviewers highlighting both its flexibility and trade-offs.

- **Shutterstock:** Subscription is the most frequently mentioned feature, with reviewers noting flexible plans but also expressing frustration with cancellation policies and auto-renewal terms.
- **Pond5:** Reviewers mention annual membership and flexible purchase options, but Subscription is less frequently cited as a core feature.