Shutterstock

What it does

Shutterstock is a paid stock media marketplace with more than 80 million photos, vectors, video clips, and music tracks, plus a built-in AI image generator. Licensing is sold through metered download subscriptions, on-demand image packs, or an all-you-can-use Unlimited plan, and every Standard license includes $10,000 in legal indemnification (Enhanced licensing raises that to $250,000). It's the go-to for agencies and enterprise marketing teams that need defensible, cleared imagery for paid campaigns rather than the more mixed-quality catalogs on cheaper platforms. Its editorial and news photo library is also notably deeper than most competitors.

Who this helps

• Agencies and in-house teams that need legally indemnified imagery for paid ad campaigns

• Brands producing high volumes of client-facing content who benefit from the Unlimited plan's flat pricing

• Video producers who want stock footage and licensed music from one vendor instead of stitching together several

• Enterprise marketing departments that need account-level contracts and dedicated support