Checked 10 Oct 2026
Shutterstock
One 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.
Good for PhotographersVideo editors and animatorsMusicians and producersWriters
- Free to joinNo sign-up fee
- Open worldwideAny country can join
- Easy sign-upQuick profile or ID check
- Pays via PayPal+2 more ways to get paid
- Work from homeOnline, from anywhere
- Public companyNYSE: SSTK
- Since
- 2003 23 yrs
Based in- New York, United States
- Web rank
- #1,784 worldwide
Shutterstock is a stock content marketplace where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are Royalties 15%-40% by contributor level, the minimum payout is $35, earnings are typically paid out monthly, paid between the 7th and 15th and you can withdraw via PayPal, Payoneer and Skrill. Founded in 2003, Shutterstock is based in New York, United States and is publicly traded (NYSE: SSTK). It is available worldwide.
Last updated
Getting paid
What the platform takes, when you get your money and how
Not verified yet: Payment protection Know the answer? Tell us
What people actually earn on Shutterstock
Sourced figures from the platform, filings and independent studies
Figures published by Shutterstock or by independent studies and surveys, as dated. Individual earnings vary widely.
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
3 updates · latest Sep 13, 2026
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
- Minimum payout:
$25→ $35 source ↗ - Withdrawal methods:
PayPal, Payoneer→ PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill source ↗ - Payout speed added: Monthly, paid between the 7th and 15th source ↗
Every change we make to this listing, with the official page we checked. Recent updates across all platforms →
Can I join Shutterstock?
Age, countries, equipment and how sign-up works
Not verified yet: ID verification Know the answer? Tell us
You need an approved tax form before any payout, and contributors in some countries face a 90-day waiting period.
Official requirements ↗ · Check which platforms you can join →
Apps and support
Mobile apps, help channels, awards and press
How Shutterstock compares
Against similar platforms in our directory
- Founded in 2003, Shutterstock has been running for about 23 years — longer than 12 of the 17 stock marketplaces we track with a known launch year.
Compared with the stock marketplaces in our directory. See them all →
Is Shutterstock legit?
What we could verify about the company
Shutterstock is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 2003 (23 years)
- Headquartered in New York, United States
- Publicly traded (NYSE: SSTK)
- Has a Wikipedia article
- Its domain shutterstock.com was registered in 2003 (registry record)
- Among the world's top 10,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #1,784)
Listing last updated October 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
Shutterstock in public records
Company filings, web traffic and app store data
- Website rank
- #1,784 worldwideAmong the top 10,000 sites (shutterstock.com)
- Domain registered
- Jul 2003shutterstock.com, 23 years ago
- Founders
- Jon Oringer
- Industry
- Stock photography, production music
Revenue grew 48% from 2020 to 2025. Fiscal years as reported; revenue is the company's, not what people earned on the platform.
Sources: Tranco · RDAP registry · Wikidata · SEC EDGAR. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
Shutterstock timeline
Founding, funding, milestones and news
-
Founded
Shutterstock founded by Jon Oringer
Headquarters today: New York, United States
-
Milestone
Top 5 <4% of downloads
Shutterstock's five highest-earning contributors together accounted for less than 4% of downloads in 2025, per its annual report (Form 10-K).
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
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Shutterstock
How much does Shutterstock charge?
Shutterstock fees: Royalties 15%-40% by contributor level.
How do you get paid on Shutterstock?
Shutterstock pays out via PayPal, Payoneer and Skrill. Minimum payout: $35. Timing: Monthly, paid between the 7th and 15th.
Which countries is Shutterstock available in?
Worldwide.
Is Shutterstock legit?
Yes, Shutterstock is a real, operating platform: operating since 2003 (23 years), headquartered in New York, United States and publicly traded (NYSE: SSTK). As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best Shutterstock alternatives?
Similar platforms include Adobe Stock, Vecteezy, 123RF and Depositphotos. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare Shutterstock with…
Shutterstock 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
VecteezyA marketplace where designers earn licensing vectors, photos, and video.
Fees $5-10 per 1000 downloads or 50% Pro splitvecteezy.com
123RFA stock-content marketplace where contributors license photos, vectors, and footage.
Fees 30-60% royalty by contributor level123rf.com
DepositphotosA stock content marketplace with 200+ million files, paying contributors per download with levels based on portfolio performance.
Fees 30-38% royalty by leveldepositphotos.com
iStockA Getty Images marketplace for exclusive and non-exclusive stock photos and illustrations. Contributors apply through the Contributor app and earn royalties per download.
Fees Royalties 15%-45%istockphoto.com
Freepik ContributorA program where designers earn from downloads of their vectors, photos, and assets on Freepik.
Fees 50% revenue share per downloadcontributor.freepik.com