iStock

iStock is Getty Images' stock library in the mid-price range, with millions of licensed photos, videos and illustrations. It's the meeting point between professional quality and accessible cost for those with ongoing image needs for their work.

iStock is Getty Images' licensed visual content marketplace in the consumer and business tier, designed for companies, agencies and freelancers who have recurring needs for images, videos, illustrations and audio files without Getty Images' premium library prices. Search combines keywords, style filters, orientation, number of people, dominant colors and other parameters, with a catalog of millions of curated assets. The licensing system is standard royalty-free: you pay once per asset and the license allows use across multiple projects. Two access modes are available: prepaid credits, worth 1 to 6 credits per asset depending on format and resolution, and monthly or annual subscriptions that allow a fixed number of downloads per month at a much lower per-image price. The Getty Images name and catalog depth — with editorial images, events, portraits and generic stock content — are the strengths. Integration with creative tools such as Adobe CC is available via plugin.

For marketers, designers, communications agencies and small businesses with recurring professional-quality stock image needs at a lower cost than premium libraries.

iStock works with two models: prepaid credits and subscriptions. With credits, each image costs 1 to 6 credits based on resolution, with packages starting at around $12 per credit at higher prices. Monthly subscriptions start at around $22 per month for 10 downloads (images) and rise with the number of included downloads; for videos conditions differ. Annual billing reduces the monthly cost. Compared to Getty Images, iStock has significantly lower prices; compared to services like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, prices are comparable.