Shutterstock vs Vecteezy: Full Comparison for Buyers and Contributors

Stock image assets such as photos, videos, templates, music, and vector illustrations are licensed for commercial and other projects. They are used everywhere—in magazines, news articles, graphic design, website design, book covers, advertisements, education, video making, blogs, and product packaging. They provide designers and businesses with cost-effective and time-saving high-quality images without the expense of hiring a designers or photographers and organising a photo shoot. These assets usually come in two categories: exclusive and non-exclusive.

In this blog, we will focus on non-exclusive stock websites. There are many platforms where you can find these creative resources, including Vecteezy, Shutterstock, Freepik, Adobe Stock, VectorStock, and more. They provide designers and businesses with cost-effective and time-saving high-quality images without the expense of hiring a designers or photographers and organising a photo shoot. In particular, we’ll compare Vecteezy vs Shutterstock—exploring what they are, who uses them, and how they work.

Both Shutterstock and Vecteezy are widely used platforms for downloading and selling stock assets like photos, videos, and vectors. In this article, we’ll look at which platform is the right choice for you—whether you’re a buyer searching for high-quality assets or a contributor who wants to earn money by selling creative work. This comparison will give you clarity and help you decide between Vecteezy and Shutterstock.

What is Shutterstock?

Shutterstock is a leading American stock platform that offers photography, footage, music, and editing services. It was founded in 2003 by programmer and photographer Jon Oringer. Over the years, Shutterstock has evolved into a massive content marketplace, featuring hundreds of millions of stock photos and millions of videos. It has acquired major brands such as Bigstock, Giphy, and Pond5. 

It offers an extensive library of over 600 million assets, including:

• Photos
• Vectors and Illustrations
• Video Clips
• Music tracks

Shutterstock is trusted by businesses, media agencies, marketers, designers, and content creators worldwide. Its subscription and credit-based pricing models make it flexible for professionals who need high-quality, licensed content.

For contributors, Shutterstock has been a leading platform for years, offering access to millions of buyers. It maintains strict quality standards, which help ensure a professional and reliable collection

What is Vecteezy?

Vecteezy is an online stock platform that provides design resources such as vector graphics, stock photos, and stock videos. Vecteezy started primarily as a vector graphics platform, but over time, it expanded to include photos and videos as well. It was founded in 2007 to help designers access high-quality resources to enhance their creative work.

One of Vecteezy’s biggest advantages is its free content section, which makes it especially popular among students, beginners, and small businesses.

Vecteezy offers:

• Free and premium vectors
• Stock photos
• Stock videos

Unlike Shutterstock, Vecteezy uses a freemium model. Users can access a wide range of free resources (with attribution) or subscribe to unlock premium content without attribution requirements.

For contributors, Vecteezy is easier to join, with a less strict approval process compared to Shutterstock

Comparing Vecteezy vs Shutterstock for Customers (Buyers)

If you are planning to use these platforms for design, business projects, video production, or sourcing images for news articles, here’s how they compare:

1. Pricing

Shutterstock: Offers subscription plans (monthly or yearly) and on-demand credit packs. Pricing is higher but includes access to premium-quality assets. (Check Shutterstock’s pricing model to know more.)

Vecteezy: Provides both free and premium content. Its premium plans are much more affordable than Shutterstock’s. (See Vecteezy’s pricing plans.)

Verdict:

If you have a small business and need budget-friendly options or free downloads, Vecteezy is the better choice. For agencies or professionals who require top-tier, premium-quality assets, Shutterstock is worth the cost.

2. Content Quality and Variety

Shutterstock: Shutterstock maintains high content quality by reviewing each submission through creative professionals to ensure technical standards—such as resolution and focus—are met. They require professional-quality images, videos, and other content, and reject submissions with flaws like excessive noise, compression artifacts, or dust.

Vecteezy: Vecteezy’s content quality can vary. They have clear guidelines and a review process for contributor submissions, requiring high-quality, original, and family-friendly assets that meet both technical and legal requirements. While the free section may vary in quality, the premium content is generally strong.

Verdict:
Shutterstock wins when it comes to variety and professional-grade quality. Vecteezy, on the other hand, is a great choice for quick, simple, and budget-friendly needs.

3. Licensing

Shutterstock: Offers both standard and extended licenses, providing clear legal coverage that makes it safe for commercial use. (Check Shutterstock’s license details to know more.)

Vecteezy: The free license requires attribution, while the premium license removes this requirement and provides broader usage rights. (Check Vecteezy’s license details to know more.)

Verdict:
Both platforms are safe to use, but Shutterstock offers more robust and comprehensive commercial coverage compared to Vecteezy.

Comparing Vecteezy vs Shutterstock for Contributors (Designers/Photographers)

1. Earnings & Commission

Shutterstock: Contributor payouts depend on levels (1 to 6). Commissions typically range from 15% to 40%. Payments are made via PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill, with a minimum payout threshold of $35. (Check Shutterstock’s earnings and commission details for more.)

Vecteezy: Uses a pay-per-download model, where contributors earn $5.00 per 1,000 downloads for vectors and photos, and $10.00 per 1,000 downloads for videos. This system allows contributors to maximize income through higher download volumes. (Check Vecteezy’s earnings and commission details for more.)

3. Upload & Approval Process

Shutterstock: Has a strict review process with a strong focus on image quality and details, ensuring only professional-grade content is accepted.

Vecteezy: Has a much easier approval process, making it more welcoming and accessible for new contributors.

Verdict:
Vecteezy is easier for beginners to start with, while Shutterstock requires professional-quality content but generally offers higher earning potential than Vecteezy.

Pros and Cons

Shutterstock – Pros

• Huge, diverse library with millions of assets
• Professional-quality resources
• Trusted by global businesses and marketers
• Strong earning potential for contributors

Shutterstock – Cons

• More expensive for buyers
• Strict contributor approval process

Vecteezy – Pros

• Free content available, plus premium assets without attribution
• Affordable premium plans
• Easy contributor approval process
• Beginner-friendly interface

Vecteezy – Cons

• Smaller library compared to Shutterstock
• Free license requires attribution
• Lower contributor earnings per download

Shutterstock vs. Vecteezy Traffic Comparison

Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re a buyer:

• Choose Shutterstock if you’re a professional, agency, or business that needs premium-quality assets, a wide range of resources, and strong legal coverage.
• Choose Vecteezy if you’re a student, beginner, or small business on a budget. The free section is helpful, and the premium plans are much cheaper.

If you’re a contributor:

• Start with Vecteezy if you’re new to selling your work and want an easy entry point to build confidence.
• Move to Shutterstock if you’re looking for global exposure and higher long-term earnings.

Shutterstock and Vecteezy are both strong platforms, each with their own strengths and features. Shutterstock is known for serving the professional market with high-quality assets and a massive global customer base, while Vecteezy is valued for its beginner-friendly approach and budget-friendly options.

If you are a buyer, your choice depends on whether you prioritize premium quality or affordability. If you are a contributor, it depends on whether you want to start quickly with an easy approval process or aim for higher earnings with more competition.

In the end, many designers and businesses use both platforms—Shutterstock for professional projects and Vecteezy for quick, affordable resources.