Depositphotos vs Dreamstime

Depositphotos and Dreamstime are stock media giants with enormous libraries. Depositphotos focuses on vast scale and cheaper high-volume subscriptions. Dreamstime is famous for its community and flexible low-commitment options. They both offer exceptional customer support experiences.

Depositphotos
Depositphotos

Affordable stock media with superior support.

Ciroapp review
4.3
#5 in Media Library

We found Depositphotos delivers exceptional value through its expansive, licensed content library and flexible pricing. The commitment to superior customer support is clear, with representatives often going above and beyond to assist users with account issues. Overall, Depositphotos is a highly reliable choice for consistent, high-quality visual and audio assets.

Pros

  • Access to a vast library of 321 million licensed files (photos, vectors, video, music).
  • Excellent, professional, and prompt customer service.
  • Flexible subscription models, including low-commitment Packs and discounted annual plans.
  • User-friendly interface with very effective search filters.

Cons

  • Auto-renewal policies for image packs and subscriptions are often confusing or unwanted.
  • Pricing breakdown lacks clarity regarding sole trader versus company user status.
  • Image pack downloads can sometimes have expiration limitations, such as one year.
  • AI image generation tools occasionally produce repetitive models or inaccurate results.
Pricing
$29/mo
Free trial
Money-backYes
Best for
High-volume content production teams (30+ downloads monthly), Agencies prioritizing the lowest cost-per-asset price, Users requiring unlimited access to AI image creation tools
Dreamstime
Dreamstime

Great Value with Excellent Support

Ciroapp review
4.1
#7 in Media Library

We found Dreamstime excels in offering a massive asset library paired with highly responsive customer service, often resolving thorny issues like accidental double charges instantly. However, we caution new users about the automatic renewal practices and a growing prevalence of AI-generated images that clutter search results. Overall, the platform delivers strong value for high-volume content creators who prioritize helpful human support.

Pros

  • High quality and vast selection of stock photos, videos, and audio.
  • Exceptional and responsive customer service that promptly handles refunds.
  • Simple and efficient image uploading process for contributors.
  • User-friendly platform that is easy for most users to navigate.

Cons

  • Subscription system lacks clarity regarding automatic renewals and cancellation.
  • High volume of difficult-to-filter, low-quality AI-generated content.
  • Search functionality sometimes struggles to return relevant results.
  • Photographers report significant recent drops in sales and high payout threshold ($100).
Pricing
$2/mo
Free trial7 days
Money-back
Best for
Users needing occasional assets using flexible one-time credit packages, Individuals wanting a risk-free 7-day trial before subscribing, Designers seeking unique, untapped content via the Zero Gravity plan
Quick verdict
Choose Depositphotos if you are a content agency needing high volume (30+ images monthly) at the lowest cost-per-asset price
Choose Dreamstime if you need maximum flexibility with one-time credit purchases and want a risk-free 7-day free trial before committing

AboutDepositphotos

Depositphotos is a comprehensive online source for royalty-free stock media. You’ll find a massive 321 million files available for your creative needs. This library includes many different content types crucial for any project. You can discover large thematic collections of stock photography, vector images, illustrations, videos, and music. Leading international companies already trust this library for their visual and audio content needs. 💡

AboutDreamstime

Dreamstime is known as the world's largest stock photography community. It was established in 2000 and has since grown immensely. Talented contributors worldwide enrich the vast collection daily. This resource is perfect for everyone, from large corporations to small magazines and personal blogs. You'll find professional assets regardless of your budget. 💡

Highlights

Quick winners by category at a glance.
Ease of Use
Both platforms are generally user-friendly and well-regarded for navigation. Depositphotos reviews sometimes mention minor difficulties for non-proficient users. Dreamstime is praised for straightforward, easy navigation.
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Feature Set
Depositphotos excels with unlimited AI generation and stock music assets. Dreamstime offers powerful AI search tools and a dedicated mobile app. Both have massive overall libraries.
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Value for Money
For users needing 25+ images monthly, Depositphotos' $29 annual plan is cheaper per image. Dreamstime’s higher volume subscriptions are significantly more expensive.
Customer Support
Both Depositphotos and Dreamstime receive consistent, high praise. Reviewers cite prompt responses and professional handling of tricky billing and refund issues from both teams.
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Mobile Experience
Dreamstime explicitly promotes a dedicated mobile application for iOS and Android access. Depositphotos does not detail a specific mobile capability.
Library Size
Depositphotos edges out its competitor with over 321 million files. Dreamstime is comparably huge but slightly smaller at 314 million assets.

Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Total Licensed Files in Library
Depositphotos:321 Million+
Dreamstime:314 Million+
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Free Trial Offered
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:7-day (15 images)
Dreamstime
Unlimited AI Image Generation
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
Depositphotos
AI for Search & Classification (e.g., PhotoEye™)
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
Dreamstime
Stock Photos & Vectors
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
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Stock Music Assets Available
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
Depositphotos
Dedicated Mobile Application
Depositphotos:Not detailed
Dreamstime:
Dreamstime
Credit/Pay-Per-Download Option
Depositphotos:Packs (starts $29.97 for 3)
Dreamstime:Credits (starts $14.99 for 3)
Depositphotos
Downloads Rollover Feature
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
Tie
Lifelong Usage Rights Included
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
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Lowest Monthly Volume Price (Annual commitment)
Depositphotos:$29/month (30 images)
Dreamstime:$25/month (5 images)
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Zero Gravity Unlimited Niche Plan
Depositphotos:
Dreamstime:
Dreamstime
Editorial Content Section
Depositphotos:Not detailed
Dreamstime:
Dreamstime
Reported Customer Support Quality
Depositphotos:Excellent/Prompt
Dreamstime:Exceptional/Responsive
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Feature Comparison Summary
3
Depositphotos
6
Ties
5
Dreamstime

Features Overview

We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

Library Size & Variety

Depositphotos offers a slightly larger collection of stock assets across all media types. Dreamstime is focused heavily on the strength of its massive photography community.

Depositphotos

Depositphotos boasts a massive library of over 321 million licensed files. This includes photos, vectors, videos, illustrations, and stock music tracks. International companies rely on Depositphotos for these comprehensive media solutions. Dreamstime offers a huge collection nearing 314 million stock photos, vectors, and videos. Its repository is constantly refreshed by over 1.3 million active contributors daily. Dreamstime also features a dedicated Editorial section for newsworthy content. The difference in sheer volume is negligible for most users. However, Depositphotos explicitly lists stock music, which Dreamstime only notes as general audio assets. Depositphotos' slight lead in total volume might give a niche designer more options. Dreamstime's large contributing community ensures daily collection freshness.

AI Functionality

Depositphotos provides unlimited AI image generation tools on all plans. Dreamstime uses AI primarily to power smarter search and discovery features.

Depositphotos

Depositphotos includes unlimited access to its AI image generation tools on every plan. This feature lets users create new visuals quickly without restriction. Depositphotos aims to integrate creation directly into its workflow efficiently. Dreamstime utilizes AI to improve content organization and search accuracy for users. Tools like PhotoEye™ and automatic classification streamline finding existing assets. Dreamstime focuses AI functionality on enhancing discovery, not pure creation. This represents the clearest philosophical difference between the two platforms. Depositphotos gives you creative power; Dreamstime gives you better filtering. If your workflow involves generating unique starter images, Depositphotos is the superior choice. If you prefer finding specific assets through refined algorithms, Dreamstime excels.

Entry Pricing Structure

Dreamstime offers a valuable 7-day free trial and cheaper credit packages for occasional use. Depositphotos provides better value for high-volume monthly subscriptions.

Dreamstime

Depositphotos requires a paid commitment; the lowest cost is $29/month for 30 images annually. For infrequent users, Packs start at $29.97 for just three downloads. Depositphotos does not currently offer a free trial or access tier. Dreamstime provides a 7-day free trial that includes 15 free images for testing. Its cheapest subscription starts at $25/month for five images. Dreamstime Pay-per-download credits start at a low $14.99 for three credits. Dreamstime is highly flexible for newcomers or users with very light needs due to its free trial. The credit packages let users purchase assets without a recurring subscription. Depositphotos delivers the best cost-per-image value for mid-to-high volume users. Dreamstime minimizes commitment for those just starting out.

Customer Support

Both Depositphotos and Dreamstime receive exceptional reviews for helpful customer service. Users consistently praise staff for their quick, professional responses.

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Depositphotos reviews frequently mention excellent and prompt customer service representatives. Staff are noted for efficiently resolving issues like auto-renewal disputes. This high-quality support increases overall user satisfaction. Dreamstime reviews also heavily praise customer support for being highly responsive and kind. Staff often quickly processed full refunds for accidental charges or double billing. Dreamstime support is known for being easily accessible, even answering the phone. Both stock providers understand that billing and licensing issues are complex for users. They each invest heavily in responsive human support to clarify complex issues. This strong performance in support is a major confidence booster for customers on either platform. Users can expect professional help when encountering problems.

High-Volume Value

Depositphotos provides a higher number of monthly downloads for a substantially lower price commitment. Dreamstime's high-volume plans cost significantly more.

Depositphotos

Depositphotos’ best value subscription is $29/month for 30 images, assuming an annual commitment. This aggressive pricing makes high-volume use very cheap. The month-to-month plan is still reasonable at $36/month for 25 images. Dreamstime’s most affordable high-volume plan is $94.99/month for 200 images. While scalable, this cost is much steeper than Depositphotos' entry commitment. They offer 750 images monthly for $219/month (billed annually). Depositphotos generally provides a better entry point for users aiming for 25-30 downloads monthly. It is the cost leader in this high-volume tier. Agencies needing a steady supply of assets should find Depositphotos' $29/month plan unbeatable for that specific download tier.

Unique Plans

Dreamstime offers a unique Zero Gravity plan for unlimited niche downloads. Depositphotos structures its specialized plans by media type (photos or video).

Dreamstime

Depositphotos clearly separates its pricing for Photos & Vectors from its plans for video and music. This structure makes managing media-specific budgets straightforward. All plans include unlimited AI image generation capability. Dreamstime features the standout Zero Gravity plan for $40 per month. This allows unlimited downloads, but only from specific 'Level 0' content collections. Dreamstime also offers All-in-one plans covering mixed media types. The Zero Gravity plan is perfect for budget-conscious users seeking fresh, less-used niche content. It provides true unlimited access under specific rules. Depositphotos simplifies its offering: you get all features and media types within the standard monthly structure. Dreamstime requires selecting specialized plans for unique access.

Our Verdict

Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and user fit.

Choosing between Depositphotos and Dreamstime boils down to your budget and volume needs. Depositphotos wins on overall user rating and high-volume affordability. It offers an immense 321 million files for maximum choice. If you aim for 30 downloads monthly, Depositphotos’ annual rate of $29 is hard to beat. Depositphotos’ superpower is its sheer value and unlimited creativity. Every plan includes perpetual usage rights and unlimited AI generation. It’s an ideal choice if you run a marketing agency focused on output speed. You get high-quality assets and powerful creative tools in one affordable package. Dreamstime’s superpower is flexibility and its strong community backbone. It offers low-commitment credit packages starting at $14.99 for occasional needs. The 7-day free trial is perfect for testing image quality before purchasing. Dreamstime also pioneers niche access with the unique Zero Gravity unlimited plan. The key deciding factor is the cost of your specific volume needs. If you need 25+ images monthly, Depositphotos is the clear value winner. If you need fewer than five images monthly, Dreamstime’s credits or $25 plan are better options. Both provide highly praised customer support. Go with Depositphotos if you are a high-volume user focused on cost efficiency and AI generation. Choose Dreamstime if you value a risk-free trial and prefer flexible, pay-per-download credit options for sporadic projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which stock service is better for high-volume monthly use: Depositphotos or Dreamstime?

Depositphotos offers better value for high volume users. Its annual plan gives you 30 images monthly for just $29. Dreamstime’s comparable monthly plans are substantially more expensive for high download needs.

Can I get a free trial to test image quality on Depositphotos or Dreamstime?

Dreamstime offers a 7-day free trial that includes 15 free image downloads. Depositphotos does not list a free trial option available on its website. If testing is crucial, start with Dreamstime.

Which platform is better for AI image generation?

Depositphotos is better for AI generation, offering unlimited access to its AI tools across all plans. Dreamstime uses AI mainly for powerful search features and image classification like PhotoEye™.

Does Depositphotos offer stock music like Dreamstime?

Yes, Depositphotos explicitly lists stock music as part of its massive 321 million file library. Dreamstime features professional audio and sound effects in its media collections.

Which service has better customer support reviews?

Both Depositphotos and Dreamstime receive excellent, highly positive support reviews. Users frequently cite promptness and professionalism from both teams when resolving billing issues. You should receive high-quality help on either platform.

How do Dreamstime's pay-per-download credits compare to Depositphotos Packs?

Dreamstime credits start cheaper at $14.99 and are valid for a full year. Depositphotos Packs start higher at $29.97 for three downloads. Dreamstime is more accessible for low-commitment, occasional asset buying.

Ready to Choose?

Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.