Alamy vs Getty Images
Alamy and Getty Images are two of the biggest names in premium stock content. The core conflict is between Alamy's commitment to real, non-AI content and Getty Images' high-end exclusivity. Your decision hinges entirely on your budget, required volume, and stance on Generative AI visuals. We'll show you how to choose the right — or rather, the less problematic — provider.
Vast, Authentic Library; Buyer Beware.
Alamy offers a strong and unique value proposition via its massive, AI-free content library, focusing on authentic, professionally sourced visuals. However, we must highlight severe operational problems reported by users related to licensing clarity, inconsistent quality control, aggressive fine collection, and poor customer support responsiveness. Overall, while the inventory is visually excellent, the documented purchasing risks make it difficult for us to recommend Alamy for general use.
Pros
- Dedication to authentic, human-created, AI-free content.
- Vast and diverse global library, including videos, vectors, and live news feeds.
- Flexible, one-time purchase licensing model available.
- Significant bulk image pack discounts, offering savings up to 75%.
Cons
- Frequent reports of absent or extremely poor customer service post-purchase.
- Customers face large, unexpected fines related to licensing disagreements.
- Purchased, high-cost images can frequently be of unusable, inconsistent quality.
- Contributor commissions are reported as very low compared to sales yield.
Premium content, unacceptable customer practices.
We recognize Getty Images provides an unmatched library of exclusive editorial and creative assets, including modern AI features and flexible UltraPacks. However, we must heavily weigh the severe and consistent external complaints regarding billing dishonesty and non-existent customer support. Overall, the significant risk of billing issues and the failure to resolve customer concerns prevent us from recommending this platform despite its high-quality content.
Pros
- Access to exclusive creative photos, videos, and vectors unavailable elsewhere.
- Comprehensive editorial coverage across global news, sports, and entertainment.
- Ability to use Generative AI tools for commercially safe content creation.
- UltraPacks offer flexible, one-time credit bundles for versatile licensing.
Cons
- Extremely poor customer service responsiveness that fails to resolve disputes.
- Higher per-download prices ($130–$499) compared to standard stock photo sites.
- Reports of double-billing and failure to issue refunds for purchased assets or credits.
- Allegations of deceptive subscription renewal practices with complex cancellation requirements.
AboutAlamy
Alamy is a comprehensive stock visual platform built for professional projects 💡. It serves as a deep resource for editors, designers, and marketers who need imagery they can trust. The platform organizes its high-quality content into specific categories to perfectly suit your needs. You can explore focused collections like Creative, Editorial, Photography, and Archives.
AboutGetty Images
Getty Images acts as your global resource for impactful visual content. You gain access to a massive library covering everything from creative stock art to up-to-the-minute editorial needs.
They provide royalty-free images, high-definition videos, illustrations, and vectors across all popular categories. You can also explore Getty Images Music, powered by Triple Scoop Music, for comprehensive audio and sound effects. Professionals rely on this service to access iconic moments and trending visuals that leave a lasting impact. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
AI Content Policy
Alamy guarantees zero AI content; Getty Images builds tools for commercially safe AI creation.
Alamy prioritizes authenticity, banning all AI-generated content completely. Every image comes from real photographers globally. This provides reliable content you can fully trust. Getty Images fully embraces cutting-edge Generative AI software. You can create custom, commercially safe images straight from text prompts. This technology allows rapid iteration and customization. This is the biggest philosophical difference between Alamy and Getty Images. Choose Alamy if authentic, original photography is non-negotiable for brand safety.
Exclusivity & Library
Getty Images offers many exclusive images; Alamy focuses on massive content depth.
Alamy boasts a huge library with over 100,000 contributors, guaranteeing immense diversity. The library is massive, covering nearly every specialized niche. Alamy is excellent for finding diverse global photography. Getty Images provides millions of exclusive creative photos, videos, and vectors. You won't find this unique content on competitor platforms easily. This exclusivity helps your brand truly stand out. For unique, high-impact visuals, Getty Images’ exclusive content library is superior. Alamy offers quantity and authenticity; Getty Images offers uniqueness and curated quality.
Pricing Value
Alamy is dramatically cheaper in bulk; Getty Images uses high-cost premium pricing.
Alamy’s single image price is $39.00 for an individual license, which is reasonable. Buying a 25 Image Pack slashes the cost per image by 75%. You can achieve a huge discount with significant volume. Getty Images relies on UltraPacks, where the cost per download starts at $130. A single high-res asset licensed via Getty Images costs $499. This pricing targets high-budget enterprise users. The difference in cost per image is massive, making Alamy the budget winner by far. If you need hundreds of creative images, Alamy offers better long-term value despite service issues.
Editorial Coverage
Getty Images is the global leader in news; Alamy provides a reliable live news feed.
Alamy provides an immediate live news feed covering sports and entertainment events instantly. Their editorial collection keeps publishing efforts timely and relevant to current global happenings. Getty Images offers up-to-the-minute global coverage of news, fashion, and sports events. Professionals rely on Getty Images for unique, iconic moments and premium sports visuals. Getty Images’ global reach and reputation for exclusive editorial content are unmatched. If your project requires timely, high-profile news images, Getty Images is the industry standard.
Digital Asset Management
Getty Images provides a specialized DAM system; Alamy supports teams via custom licenses.
Alamy primarily offers team licenses for shared access, but specific DAM tools are not listed. Complex requirements go through the dedicated Enterprise team for customization. This approach is more reactive than tool-driven. Getty Images features the powerful Media Manager system for streamlined workflows. This best-in-class tool organizes, controls, and distributes digital content efficiently. It’s ideal for large organizations. Getty Images is the clear winner for large teams needing integrated content management. Media Manager makes organizing large volumes of licensed content much simpler inside Getty Images.
Historical Archives
Both platforms offer deep historical content; Getty Images touts the world’s largest digital archive.
Alamy offers deep archives chronicling key historical events and prominent figures. It is a robust resource essential for specific reference needs. You can easily ground your project in history. Getty Images grants access to the world's largest digital archive of historical media. This is crucial for filmmakers or researchers needing iconic, verifiable visuals spanning decades. Both Alamy and Getty Images offer excellent historical content depth. For highly specialized or iconic historical content, both are great options, though Getty Images claims larger volume.
Customer Experience
Both platforms receive abysmal user reviews regarding service, billing, and refunds.
Alamy’s customer service is frequently called non-existent, unresponsive, or dismissive after a sale. Users widely report a very strict no-refund policy, even for billing errors. They are also accused of aggressive copyright enforcement. Getty Images gets criticized for non-existent support and deceptive renewal practices. Users report double charges and the immediate loss of unused credits upon subscription cancellation. The reliability factor is extremely low. There is no winner here; both Alamy (1.5 stars) and Getty Images (1.3 stars) have critical service failures. Expect significant issues if you encounter a product or billing problem with either service provider.
Our Verdict
Choosing between Alamy and Getty Images means reconciling price, authenticity, and premium features. While both platforms offer exceptional content, both carry a high risk of service failure post-purchase. Alamy excels at democratizing high-volume content, offering a 25-pack discount saving you 75% on image costs. Plus, Alamy guarantees that all its content is authentic and proudly non-AI generated. If your brand demands real photography, Alamy is the trusted choice for authenticity and volume. Getty Images is the global powerhouse for editorial excellence, customization, and exclusive content. Only Getty Images offers sophisticated features like Generative AI tools and the Media Manager DAM system. If you need bespoke solutions and the most iconic, up-to-the-minute news imagery, the exclusive Getty Images library justifies the high cost. The deciding factor is your budget versus required exclusivity and features. If you need high volume and low cost, choose Alamy despite their service worries. If you represent a large enterprise requiring custom AI, DAM tools, and unique content, accept the high pricing and risks associated with Getty Images. Overall, Alamy offers better tangible savings and a stronger authenticity guarantee for creative professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small budgets: Alamy or Getty Images?
Alamy is vastly better for budget-conscious users seeking high volume. Alamy’s bulk packs drop the price to around $10 per image. Getty Images assets start at $130 per download, making it cost-prohibitive for small projects.
Can I use AI-generated images from Getty Images?
Yes, Getty Images offers a Generative AI tool to create commercially safe content. Conversely, Alamy guarantees that its platform contains zero AI-generated content. Your choice depends on your brand's philosophy towards AI.
Does Alamy offer high-quality video assets like Getty Images?
Yes, Alamy has premium film footage, including 4K and HD options. Getty Images also includes 4K/HD video in its UltraPacks. Both platforms are suitable for sourcing high-resolution video clips.
Is Getty Images worth the much higher price than Alamy?
Getty Images is worth the price only for those needing exclusive content and advanced features. Only Getty Images offers Media Manager, Custom Content creation, or Generative AI. Alamy simply cannot compete on those specialized enterprise tools.
Which has better customer service: Alamy or Getty Images?
Neither platform shows positive customer service results based on user reviews. Both Alamy (1.5 stars) and Getty Images (1.3 stars) are criticized for unresponsive support and poor handling of billing disputes.
How does the editorial coverage of Alamy compare to Getty Images?
Getty Images is the recognized global leader for elite, up-to-the-minute news, sports, and fashion coverage. Alamy has a reliable live news feed but Getty Images offers unmatched exclusive access and the world’s largest archive.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.