What is the difference between Adobe Stock and Shutterstock for Attribution?

Adobe Stock (10 Credits): no. Shutterstock (Standard 10/mo): limited.

What is the difference between Adobe Stock and Shutterstock for Redistribution?

Adobe Stock (10 Credits): limited. Shutterstock (Standard 10/mo): no.

What is the difference between Adobe Stock and Shutterstock for Refund Policy?

Adobe Stock (10 Credits): limited. Shutterstock (Standard 10/mo): no.

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Adobe Stock vs Shutterstock

Side-by-side comparison of licensing terms between Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.

License Comparison

Hover or tap any field name to see what it means. Highlighted rows indicate differences.

Field	Adobe Stock Visit Adobe Stock	Shutterstock Visit Shutterstock
	✓	✓
	✓	✓
	✓	✓
	Not required	Varies
	✗	✗
	~Cannot distribute the stand-alone file. License can be transferred to one employer or client. Cannot be transferred to more than one employer or client unless separately licensed.	✗
	~Standard License limits print reproduction to 500,000 copies per image.	~Print runs capped at 500,000 copies in aggregate per image (Part I, Section I.a.i.2). Out-of-home advertising limited to less than 500,000 gross impressions (Part I, Section I.a.i.3).
	✓	✓
	✓	✓
	✓Published	✓Published
	✓	✓
	~Cancel risk-free in the first 30 days. Fee applies if you cancel more than 14 days after your paid subscription begins.	✗

Prices may vary by region and are subject to change.

Adobe Stock:

Shutterstock:

Adobe Stock

10 Credits

Visit Platform

Shutterstock

Standard 10/mo

Visit Platform

Price

$29.99/mo

$29/mo

Prices may vary by region and are subject to change.

Download

Yes

Commercial Use

Yes

Broad commercial use: digital reproduction (websites, social media, apps, email marketing), print (packaging, labeling, business cards, POS advertising, CD/DVD covers), out-of-home advertising (Part I, Section I.a.i). Film/video/TV permitted only if budget does not exceed $10,000 (Part I, Section I.a.i.4).

Editing

Yes

Modification permitted except: cannot modify Editorial Use Only content in a way that changes context (Part I, Section 4). Cannot falsely represent Content as created by you.

Attribution

Nice to

Exclusive Rights

Non-exclusive license (Part I). Content available to all Shutterstock customers. AI-generated Output is also NOT exclusive — Shutterstock can make same Output available to third parties (Part III, Section 3).

Redistribution

Cannot distribute the stand-alone file. License can be transferred to one employer or client. Cannot be transferred to more than one employer or client unless separately licensed.

Cannot 'resell, redistribute, provide access to, share or transfer any Visual Content' (Part I, Section 4). Cannot display Content as a gallery for third-party selection. Cannot use as part of stock library or downloadable collection.

Print Use

Standard License limits print reproduction to 500,000 copies per image.

Print runs capped at 500,000 copies in aggregate per image (Part I, Section I.a.i.2). Out-of-home advertising limited to less than 500,000 gross impressions (Part I, Section I.a.i.3).

Digital Use

Yes

Client Work

Yes

Permitted, but this is a SINGLE SEAT license — only one natural person may access your account and use Content. For multi-user access, must upgrade to Team Subscription or Premier Platform. One-time transfer to third party for printing/manufacturing permitted (Part VI, Section 3).

Survives Cancellation

Forever

Adobe Stock:

Editorial-only images are restricted to non-commercial, informational use such as news, blogs, and educational content.

An Enhanced License ($79.99/image) is available separately for merchandise, templates for resale, and unlimited print runs with up to $25,000 indemnification.

All plans are annual commitments billed monthly. Month-to-month plans are available at higher prices. Unused credits roll over (limits apply).

Shutterstock:

SINGLE SEAT LICENSE: Only one natural person may access your account and use Content. Team Subscription or Premier Platform required for multi-user access.

Editorial Use Only content cannot be used commercially — restricted to newsworthy or human interest contexts. Cannot be modified to change context (Part I, Section 4).

Content CANNOT be used for AI/ML training: 'Use any Visual Content as training data for any artificial intelligence, machine learning, or generative AI system' is prohibited (Part I, Section 4). Using AI editing software is permitted if it doesn't train on the Content.

AI-generated Output (Generative AI Pro Services) must be separately licensed as Content. Output is NOT exclusive — Shutterstock can provide same Output to other users. Output may not be protectable by IP rights (Part III).

AI Output indemnification is NOT automatic. Requires content review and 'approval for commercial use' from Shutterstock. Without approval, indemnification does not apply to trademarks, copyrights, or public personalities depicted in Output (Part III, Section 3).

All fees are non-refundable. Early cancellation of annual subscription incurs 50% of remaining contract obligation (Part VI, Section 1).

Unlimited Subscription: Content is single-use per download. Must re-download for each additional use. No new use after subscription expires (Part I, Unlimited Subscription restrictions).

If Shutterstock notifies you of an infringement claim or removes Content, you must remove it from all systems at your own expense. Shutterstock will provide comparable Content free of charge (Part VI, Section 4).

Key Differences

Fields where these platforms differ

Attribution

Adobe Stock:Not required

Shutterstock:Varies

Redistribution

Adobe Stock:~Cannot distribute the stand-alone file. License can be transferred to one employer or client. Cannot be transferred to more than one employer or client unless separately licensed.

Shutterstock:✗

Refund Policy

Adobe Stock:~Cancel risk-free in the first 30 days. Fee applies if you cancel more than 14 days after your paid subscription begins.

Shutterstock:✗

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Informational Only - Not Legal Advice

LicenseOrg provides informational summaries of platform license terms for educational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Always consult the platform’s official license page and a qualified legal professional.

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