Getty Images vs iStock

Getty Images uses UltraPacks, meaning you buy one-time credit bundles. Downloads cost between $130 and $499 each depending on size. This model suits high-budget, occasional needs. iStock offers tiered monthly subscriptions starting at just $29/month for 10 downloads. iStock provides much better value and predictability for consistent content sourcing. For low-volume users, iStock's affordable entry price is highly appealing. You reserve Getty Images for assets that must be truly premium and exclusive.

Getty Images holds millions of exclusive creative visuals, videos, and vectors you can't duplicate. This access guarantees brand distinction and visual freshness. iStock features the Signature collection from artists exclusive to their platform. This content is unique and ensures premium quality for marketers. Getty Images is often required for large-scale, high-stakes campaigns or broadcast media usage. For everyday projects needing great visuals at scale, the iStock Signature collection suffices.

Getty Images provides Generative AI to create commercially safe, ready-to-license images instantly. Users can also modify existing images quickly using AI tools. iStock gives complimentary, unlimited access to integrated AI generation and enhancement tools. Importantly, iStock strictly prohibits contributor-submitted AI content in its main library. If you value fully human-created source material, iStock maintains higher standards. If secure AI image creation is your focus, Getty Images supports this heavily.

Getty Images provides immediate, up-to-the-minute global coverage of major news and sporting events. They house the world’s largest digital archive of historical photos and iconic moments. iStock solely focuses on general royalty-free creative and commercial stock content. You will not find modern journalistic or sports photographs there. Media outlets and publishers must use Getty Images for timely, relevant editorial access. The depth of the Getty Images archive is an unparalleled resource for history-focused projects.

Getty Images provides the powerful Media Manager system for enterprise clients. This tool manages, organizes, and distributes licensed digital content efficiently. iStock's workflow features are limited to the integrated iStock Editor for quick image resizing. Large corporations or agencies need the sophistication of Getty Images' DAM system. Smaller teams might find the iStock Editor sufficient for minor tweaks before upload. Getty Images simplifies large-scale asset control and team sharing significantly.

iStock allows unused subscription downloads to roll over month-to-month, up to 250 assets total. This prevents wasted purchases during slow periods. Getty Images UltraPacks demand a high initial cost investment for credits. There is no comparable rollover or refund mechanism for those packs. iStock inherently provides better value protection for users with inconsistent content usage needs. If you don't use all your iStock downloads, they wait for you next month.

iStock's Premium + Video plan bundles all content types: images, 4K video, music, and sound effects. This plan costs a predictable $99/month for 10 assets. Getty Images offers 4K video and images in UltraPacks, but they separate the music library access. Getty Images Music is powered by Triple Scoop Music, needing separate licensing consideration. iStock simplifies budgeting by putting all essential media into one easy subscription. This integrated approach benefits video producers greatly.

Getty Images users report chronic double-billing issues and non-existent support staff responsiveness. Their Trustpilot rating is extremely low at 1.3 stars. iStock also receives heavy criticism for rude support and impossible annual contract cancellations. This leads to a similarly low 1.7-star rating. Both Getty Images and iStock customers face major transparency issues and difficulty resolving billing errors. Users should proceed with caution and expect potential service difficulties with either platform.