Getty Images vs soona
Getty Images and soona solve two very different visual content problems. Getty Images is the premium stock library for exclusive, high-quality assets. soona is your on-demand studio for fast, ecommerce-focused photo and video shoots. Here's how to pick the right one.
Best for: Marketing teams needing exclusive, premium stock images unavailable elsewhere., Journalists and media companies requiring up-to-the-minute editorial coverage.
Best for: Ecommerce brands needing a constant stream of photos and videos., Teams frustrated with slow, expensive agency turnaround times.
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.
Fast, ecommerce-focused content creation.
We found soona delivers on its promise of speed and simplicity for ecommerce brands needing reliable photo and video assets. The live collaboration and channel-specific optimization are standout features. Overall, it's a strong choice for teams prioritizing a streamlined, fast-to-market content workflow.
Pros
- Dramatically faster content turnaround, often in 24 hours.
- Live virtual shoots for real-time feedback and collaboration.
- Content optimized for specific channels like Amazon and Shopify.
- Generally more affordable than traditional agencies.
Cons
- Pricing can be confusing, with per-asset costs adding up.
- Requires a Studio Pass for one-time bookings, adding to cost.
- Ideal for frequent users; may not suit very low-volume needs.
- Focus is on standard ecommerce content, not complex cinematic work.
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. 💡
Aboutsoona
✨ soona is a creative platform designed specifically for ecommerce brands. It connects you to a network of expert photographers and models to produce professional photo and video content.
Think of it as your on-demand content studio. You can plan a shoot, attend virtually, and get finalized assets optimized for all your sales channels.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Purpose
Getty Images is a vast stock library. soona is a custom content creation service.
Getty Images provides instant access to millions of pre-existing, exclusive photos, videos, and vectors. You search and download what you need immediately. soona creates brand-new, custom content for you. You book a shoot, collaborate live, and receive unique assets tailored to your products. The key difference is buying existing assets versus commissioning new ones. Getty Images is for stock; soona is for custom shoots.
Turnaround & Speed
Getty Images offers instant downloads. soona delivers finished shoots in 24 hours.
With Getty Images, you get instant access. Find an asset, license it, and download it within minutes. soona's process takes longer but creates something new. You book a shoot, attend a live session, and receive finalized edits in 24 hours. For speed to a specific existing image, Getty Images wins. For speed to a finished custom shoot, soona is incredibly fast.
Pricing Structure
Getty Images uses per-download credit packs. soona uses per-asset fees or memberships.
Getty Images sells UltraPacks: bundles of credits you use to download assets. Prices range from $130 to $499 per download. soona charges a Studio Pass ($149) or requires a membership ($13-$49/month). You then pay per asset: $39 per photo, $93 per video clip. Getty Images is a large, one-time investment. soona's costs can add up with each asset but offer membership perks.
Ecommerce Focus
soona is built for ecommerce. Getty Images serves a broad range of industries.
soona's entire platform is optimized for ecommerce. Assets are formatted for Amazon, Shopify, and Meta ads. It includes AI tools to audit listings. Getty Images offers a massive general library. While it has commercial assets, it's not specifically designed for ecommerce channel requirements. If you sell products online, soona's built-in optimizations save you significant time and effort.
Live Collaboration
soona lets you join shoots in real-time. Getty Images has no live element.
soona's standout feature is live virtual shoots. You join from your browser and direct the photographer, approving selects as you go. Getty Images is a self-service library. You search, select, and download without any interaction with creators. Live collaboration gives you creative control and reduces reshoots, which is a major advantage for custom content.
Content Exclusivity
Getty Images offers exclusive stock. soona creates unique content for you.
Getty Images licenses exclusive creative photos, videos, and vectors you won't find on other stock sites. It's unique stock. soona creates custom shoots for your brand. The resulting content is, by definition, unique to you and your products. Both offer uniqueness, but in different ways. Getty Images is exclusive stock; soona is bespoke creation.
User Experience & Support
soona users praise its ease and support. Getty Images users report severe service issues.
soona's platform is described as 'slick' and 'super easy.' Reviews highlight responsive support, especially during onboarding. Getty Images users report 'terrible' and 'non-existent' customer support. Many cite unresolved billing disputes and refund refusals. This is the most stark difference. soona provides a supportive experience; Getty Images poses a significant risk.
AI Capabilities
Getty Images has generative AI. soona has listing optimization AI.
Getty Images offers a Generative AI tool to create commercially safe images from text prompts. You can also modify existing library images. soona's AI tools focus on ecommerce performance. Listing Insights audits your product pages, and AI Scenes generate new imagery from existing photos. Getty's AI creates new stock-like visuals. soona's AI optimizes and repurposes your actual product content.
Getty Images costs between $130 and $499 per download when purchasing UltraPacks, offering nine specific pack sizes across three image sizes: Small, Medium, and Large.
These UltraPacks let you mix and match royalty-free images, videos, and certain editorial content. Buying in bulk helps you achieve substantial savings on your per-download cost. You choose the resolution level that meets your project needs.
Large Images, 4K and HD Videos UltraPacks
Price: $499 per download (single) down to $300 per download (15-pack) Best For: High-resolution requirements like large print or premium video production. Other Features:
- Single download price is $499
- 5-pack cost is $1,750 total ($350 per download)
- 15-pack cost is $4,500 total ($300 per download)
- 1 download included
- Large creative images, 4K and HD videos
- 5 downloads included
- Price equivalent to $1,750 total
- Large creative images, 4K and HD videos
- 10 downloads included
- Price equivalent to $3,300 total
- Large creative images, 4K and HD videos
- 15 downloads included
- Price equivalent to $4,500 total
- Large creative images, 4K and HD videos
soona pricing: soona offers flexible creative memberships starting at $13/month annually, plus a one-time Studio Pass option for $149 per booking. Content is purchased individually starting at $39 per photo or $93 per video clip after your shoot is complete. \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\ Plans range: $1–$500/month Billing options: Free plan, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription, Usage-based pricing
Pricing Notes
- Getty Images costs are high per-download ($130-$499) but include a wide range of content types in each pack.
- soona's Studio Pass ($149) is a one-time fee per booking if you don't have a membership. Memberships ($13-$49/month) waive this fee.
- soona's per-asset costs ($39/photo, $93/video) can add up. Buying more content doesn't drastically lower the per-asset price.
- Neither platform explicitly states a free trial or money-back guarantee. Be sure to confirm policies with sales.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
Getty Images receives exceptionally poor feedback across Trustpilot, holding a critical 1.3-star “Bad” rating based on over 100 reviews. The sentiment is almost universally negative, focusing heavily on billing practices and non-existent customer support. Users frequently report being charged twice for single images or losing credits immediately upon cancellation, stating the company often refused refunds, even for unused assets. Support responsiveness is described as "terrible" and "non-existent."
Pricing is consistently labeled as economic "highway robbery," with examples citing individual images that cost hundreds of dollars more than similar stock libraries. Customers also complain of deceptive subscription practices, noting there is no functional cancellation option on the website. Furthermore, contributing artists express major frustrations regarding extremely low royalty rates (15–20%) and a systemic lack of respect or communication. For these reasons, reliability and ethical business practice failures dominate the user experience narrative. 🚩
We bought one image for $499 but were charged twice on our card. After nearly a month and several emails, we received no refund and couldn't resolve the billing error with staff. Our credit card company thankfully overturned the unwarranted charges.
Based on Trustpilot reviews, users frequently praise soona for its speed, quality, and ease of use. The platform is often called a "game-changer" for its fast turnaround and the professional look of the final assets.
🎯 Many appreciate the live shoot collaboration, which gives them control and direct input. However, a recurring theme is confusion over pricing, particularly the per-asset costs, which some feel are not transparent upfront.
The turnaround time is incredible. We got stunning, on-brand photos in 24 hours, which was a total game-changer for our launch.
Our Verdict
The choice between Getty Images and soona isn't close—it depends entirely on what you're trying to create. Getty Images is your ultimate stock library. Its superpower is access to millions of exclusive, high-quality photos, videos, and historical archives you can't find anywhere else. It's perfect for finding that perfect, unique shot instantly. soona is your on-demand content studio. Its superpower is speed and ecommerce optimization. You can get custom product shoots planned, filmed with live collaboration, and delivered in 24 hours, all pre-formatted for Amazon and Shopify. The deciding factor is stock versus custom. Do you need to find an existing, premium visual? Getty Images has the unmatched library. Do you need new, original content for your specific products? soona builds it for you, fast. For most ecommerce brands, the choice is clear. Choose soona if you need to create product content regularly and value speed, live control, and channel-specific assets. Choose Getty Images only if you have a critical need for exclusive editorial or creative stock that no other library offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Getty Images or soona?
It depends on your needs. Getty Images UltraPacks cost $130-$499 per download. soona charges $39 per photo and $93 per video clip after a shoot. For high-volume custom content, soona can be more cost-effective than traditional agencies.
Can I get custom photos made with Getty Images like with soona?
Yes, but it's a different service. Getty Images offers a Custom Content service to create exclusive imagery. soona's entire platform is built around custom shoots with live collaboration, which is its core offering.
Which platform has better customer support?
soona users consistently praise its responsive support. Getty Images reviews are filled with complaints about non-existent support and unresolved billing issues. For reliable help, soona is the safer choice.
Does soona offer stock photos like Getty Images?
No, soona focuses on creating new, custom content for your products. You won't find a stock library to search and download from. Getty Images is the platform for licensed stock assets.
Which is better for Amazon product photos?
soona is specifically built for this. Its assets are pre-formatted for Amazon's requirements. Getty Images provides general stock photos you would need to adapt yourself.
Is Getty Images worth the high price?
It can be if you need truly exclusive, premium editorial or creative assets unavailable elsewhere. However, be aware of the significant customer service and billing issues reported by users.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.