Checked 12 Sep 2026
iStock 3.5Silver 50 pts
A Getty Images marketplace for exclusive and non-exclusive stock photos and illustrations. Contributors apply through the Contributor app and earn royalties per download.
Good for PhotographersGraphic designersIllustrators and artists
- Free to joinNo sign-up fee
- Open worldwideWorldwide
- VettedScreens people before they join
- Pays via PayoneerHow you get paid
- Work from homeOnline, from anywhere
- Public companyNYSE: GETY (Getty Images…
- Since
- 2000 26 yrs
Based in- Calgary, Canada
- Web rank
- #2,326 worldwide
Can you join iStock?
Answer three questions and we check them against iStock's sign-up rules.
Pick your country and age, tick what you have, then press Check. Your answer shows here and in “Can I join?” below.
iStock is a stock photo marketplace where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are Royalties 15%-45% and you can withdraw via Payoneer. Founded in 2000, iStock is based in Calgary, Canada and is publicly traded (NYSE: GETY (Getty Images)). It is available worldwide.
Last updated
Getting paid
What the platform takes, when you get your money and how
Not verified yet: Payment protection · Minimum payout · Payout speed Know the answer? Tell us
From the published fees above, before payment-processing, currency or withdrawal charges. Work out your own amount →
What people actually earn on iStock
Sourced figures from the platform, filings and independent studies
Figures published by iStock or by independent studies and surveys, as dated. Individual earnings vary widely.
How complete is this profile?
We have 9 of the 17 things we track for every platform. Fees, payouts, join rules, countries and real earnings count most.
- Plain-English overview
- Minimum payout
- How fast you get paid
- Payment protection
- Review ratings
- Support channels
- Mobile apps
- Social accounts
- What kind of platform it is
- Year founded
- Headquarters
- Fees
- Withdrawal methods
- Join requirements
- Countries it accepts
- Real earnings figures
- Wikipedia or reference page
Every fact is checked against the platform's own pages. How we check →
Our rating
Worked out from the facts on this page, the same way for every platform
Strong on track record and access. Weaker on fees.
- Fees1.5
- Getting paid2.3
- Access4.5
- Track record5.0
- Proof of earnings4.0
Not a review of service quality: a score from verified fees, payouts, access, track record and earnings data. How the rating works
Achievements
50 of 100 points from 8 of 14 achievements, Silver tier. Earned from verified facts, never paid for
Verified earningsA sourced figure for what people earn or are paid there+10
Why it matters You can judge the pay from a real number instead of the platform's own promises.
How we check We need a figure for what earners are paid, earn typically, or how many people earn, with a link to the filing, pay page or study it came from.
iStock $220M+ royalties (2025)
Every platform with this badge →Open worldwideAccepts people from almost every country+10
Why it matters Most earning platforms only take people from a handful of countries. This one lets almost anyone join.
How we check The platform's own terms or sign-up pages say it accepts people worldwide, with no more than eight countries left out.
iStock Worldwide
Every platform with this badge →Free to joinNo fee to sign up+5
Why it matters Paying to join is a red flag on many work sites. This one costs nothing to start.
How we check The platform's sign-up and pricing pages show no fee to register as an earner.
iStock free
Every platform with this badge →Clear feesPublishes its cut as a percentage+5
Why it matters You can work out what you keep before you start.
How we check The platform publishes its cut as a percentage on its pricing or help pages, which we record as a range when it is tiered.
iStock 15–45%
Every platform with this badge →Top 10K websiteAmong the world's 10,000 most visited sites (Tranco)+5
Why it matters Big platforms have more clients and buyers, and a lot to lose from treating earners badly.
How we check The site ranks in the world's 10,000 most visited on the Tranco list, a research-grade ranking.
iStock #2,326 worldwide
Every platform with this badge →10 years runningFounded at least 10 years ago+5
Why it matters Platforms that have lasted a decade are less likely to vanish with your balance.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 10 years ago.
iStock Founded 2000
Every platform with this badge →20 years runningFounded at least 20 years ago+5
Why it matters Two decades of paying people is a strong track record.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 20 years ago.
iStock Founded 2000
Every platform with this badge →Public companyListed on a stock exchange, with audited filings+5
Why it matters Listed companies publish audited accounts, so their finances and risks are public.
How we check The company has a stock ticker on a public exchange, with filings we can read.
iStock NYSE: GETY (Getty Images)
Every platform with this badge →Low cutTakes 10% or less of what you earn10
Why it matters More of every payment reaches you. Many marketplaces take 20% or more.
How we check The highest percentage the platform names in its published fees is 10% or less.
iStock 15–45%
Every platform with this badge →Low payout barLets you cash out $10 or less5
Why it matters Small earnings are not left stuck in your account waiting for a high threshold.
How we check The platform's published minimum withdrawal is $10 or less, or it has no minimum.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for iStock.
Every platform with this badge →Fast payoutsPays out instantly, daily or on demand5
Why it matters Money arrives when you need it, not weeks later.
How we check The platform says payouts are instant, same-day, daily or on demand.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for iStock.
Every platform with this badge →Payment protectionHolds or guarantees payment before you work10
Why it matters Something stops you working for nothing, such as client money held before the work starts.
How we check The platform publishes how it protects earners' payments: escrow, guaranteed pay or a dispute process.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for iStock.
Every platform with this badge →Loved appA mobile app rated 4.5 or higher5
Why it matters A well-rated app usually means smooth day-to-day work and fewer payout problems.
How we check The platform's app is rated 4.5 or higher on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for iStock.
Every platform with this badge →Fully documentedFees, payouts, countries and company details all verified15
Why it matters Everything you need to decide is verified here, not left as guesswork.
How we check Fees, payouts, minimum payout, who can join and the company details are all recorded from official pages.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for iStock.
Every platform with this badge →
How achievements and tiers work · Open any badge for the details
Can I join iStock?
Age, countries, equipment and how sign-up works
Yes, if you pass its application and you are 18 or older.
You need a portfolio or work samples.
Enter your country and age in the quick check and we will tell you here whether iStock accepts you. Your answers stay on your device.
Check with my countryAge 18 or older
We have not verified which countries iStock accepts yet.
- A portfolio or work samples
- Sign upFree
- Application and vettingBefore you can start
- Do your first workJobs, tasks or sales
Good to know: Apply with 6 original non-AI samples, reviewed in about a week, payouts in USD via Payoneer or PayPal.
iStock's official requirements ↗Every platform you can join →
How iStock compares
Against similar platforms in our directory
- Founded in 2000, iStock has been running for about 26 years — longer than 13 of the 17 stock marketplaces we track with a known launch year.
Compared with the stock marketplaces in our directory. See them all →
Is iStock legit?
What we could verify about the company
iStock is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 2000 (26 years)
- Headquartered in Calgary, Canada
- Publicly traded (NYSE: GETY (Getty Images))
- Has a Wikipedia article
- Its domain istockphoto.com was registered in 2000 (registry record)
- Among the world's top 10,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #2,326)
Listing last updated September 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
iStock in public records
Company filings, web traffic and app store data
- Website rank
- #2,326 worldwideAmong the top 10,000 sites (istockphoto.com)
- Domain registered
- Jan 2000istockphoto.com, 26 years ago
- CEO
- Bruce Livingstone
- Founders
- Bruce Livingstone
- Parent company
- Getty Images
- Industry
- Stock photography
Sources: Tranco · RDAP registry · Wikidata. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
iStock timeline
Founding, funding, milestones and news
-
Founded
iStock founded by Bruce Livingstone
Headquarters today: Calgary, Canada
-
Milestone
$220M+ royalties
Getty Images, which owns iStock, paid over $220 million in royalties to content contributors (including content partners) in 2025, per its 10-K.
Source ↗ -
Milestone
600,000+ contributors
Getty Images and iStock work with more than 600,000 photographers, videographers, illustrators and image partners, per the 2025 10-K.
Source ↗ -
Milestone
83,000+ exclusives
Getty Images reported over 83,000 exclusive contributors in its 2025 10-K, and exclusive content generated about 75% of its revenue.
Source ↗ -
On FreelanceSites
Added to the FreelanceSites.net directory
Checked against its official pages before listing.
From the platform's own reports and press coverage we checked, plus company records on Wikidata. Know a milestone we're missing? Tell us
Guides
Step-by-step help for this platform
No step-by-step guide for iStock yet. Browse all guides or find the right way to earn for you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about iStock
How much does iStock charge?
iStock fees: Royalties 15%-45%.
How do you get paid on iStock?
iStock pays out via Payoneer.
Which countries is iStock available in?
Worldwide.
How much do people earn on iStock?
Getty Images, which owns iStock, paid over $220 million in royalties to content contributors (including content partners) in 2025, per its 10-K. Getty Images and iStock work with more than 600,000 photographers, videographers, illustrators and image partners, per the 2025 10-K. Individual earnings vary widely.
Is iStock legit?
Yes, iStock is a real, operating platform: operating since 2000 (26 years), headquartered in Calgary, Canada and publicly traded (NYSE: GETY (Getty Images)). As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best iStock alternatives?
Similar platforms include Adobe Stock, Dreamstime, Shutterstock and Picfair. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare iStock with…
iStock alternatives
More stock marketplaces like Shutterstock
Adobe StockThe stock marketplace built into Creative Cloud, where contributors sell photos, illustrations, vectors, and video to millions of Adobe users. Uploads are reviewed and earn a royalty per license.
Fees 33% royalty on images, 35% on videostock.adobe.com
DreamstimeOne of the oldest stock photo communities, with royalties that rise as an image sells more. Open contributor sign-up with image review.
Fees 25-50% royalty, up to 60% exclusivedreamstime.com
ShutterstockOne of the largest stock content marketplaces, with open contributor sign-up for photos, vectors, video, and music. Contributors earn royalties every time their work is licensed.
Fees Royalties 15%-40% by contributor levelshutterstock.com
PicfairA photo marketplace where photographers set their own prices and keep most of each sale.
Fees Set your own price, keep 100%picfair.com
FreepikA Spanish graphic resources platform whose contributor program pays for vectors, photos, PSDs, and AI-generated content based on downloads.
Fees 50% revenue share per downloadfreepik.com
EnvatoA marketplace network for digital assets like website themes, templates, graphics, video, and audio. Authors sell on Envato Market or earn from subscriptions on Envato Elements.
Fees Author share varies by exclusivityenvato.com