Stock Photography Platform Comparison

Compare commission rates, payout thresholds, and features across major stock photography platforms. Find the best fit for your photography style and goals.

Commission ratesPayout thresholdsAcceptance difficultyBest use cases

How to Use This Comparison

1.Review each platform's commission structure
2.Consider your photography style and target audience
3.Decide: single platform, multi-platform, or Wirestock distribution

Platform Overview

Platform	Commission	Min Payout	Avg/Download	Best For
Adobe Stock	33%(35% exclusive)	$25.00	$0.25 - $1.50	Photographers already using Adobe products, mixed photo/video creators
Shutterstock	15-40% (tiered)	$35.00	$0.10 - $0.75	High-volume contributors, beginners learning the market
Getty Images	15%(25% exclusive)	$100.00	$0.50 - $10.00	Professional photographers, editorial/news content
Alamy	40%(50% exclusive)	$25.00	$5.00 - $50.00	Quality over quantity approach, editorial photographers
iStock	15%(25% exclusive)	$100.00	$0.20 - $2.00	Illustrators, designers, exclusive contributors
Wirestock	85% (after distribution)	$20.00	Varies by platform	Beginners, photographers who want passive approach

Adobe Stock

Commission

33%

Min Payout

$25.00

Per Download

$0.25 - $1.50

Pros

+Large customer base
+Integration with Creative Cloud
+Good video rates

Cons

−Lower per-download rates
−Competitive marketplace

Best for: Photographers already using Adobe products, mixed photo/video creators

Shutterstock

Commission

15-40% (tiered)

Min Payout

$35.00

Per Download

$0.10 - $0.75

Pros

+Highest volume
+Large marketplace
+Tier system rewards volume

Cons

−Lowest per-download rates for new contributors
−Very competitive

Best for: High-volume contributors, beginners learning the market

Getty Images

Commission

15%

Min Payout

$100.00

Per Download

$0.50 - $10.00

Pros

+Premium rates
+Editorial opportunities
+Respected brand

Cons

−Strict acceptance
−Lower volume
−High payout threshold

Best for: Professional photographers, editorial/news content

Alamy

Commission

40%

Min Payout

$25.00

Per Download

$5.00 - $50.00

Pros

+Highest per-download rates
+Good for editorial
+Fair contributor terms

Cons

−Lower volume
−Strict quality requirements

Best for: Quality over quantity approach, editorial photographers

iStock

Commission

15%

Min Payout

$100.00

Per Download

$0.20 - $2.00

Pros

+Getty family
+Good for illustrations
+Steady sales

Cons

−Lower rates for non-exclusive
−High payout threshold

Best for: Illustrators, designers, exclusive contributors

Wirestock

Commission

85% (after distribution)

Min Payout

$20.00

Per Download

Varies by platform

Pros

+Auto-distributes to multiple platforms
+Time saver
+Low payout threshold

Cons

−Takes 15% of earnings
−Less control over keywords

Best for: Beginners, photographers who want passive approach

Our Recommendation

For most photographers starting out, we recommend either:

Option A: Wirestock

Best for beginners. Auto-distributes to multiple platforms with minimal effort. You lose 15% but save hours of uploading time.

Option B: Multi-Platform Manual

Upload to Adobe Stock + Shutterstock + Alamy for maximum coverage. More work but better control and no middleman fees.

Calculate your potential earnings with our Stock Earnings Calculator

Platform Strategy

Multi-Platform Approach: Most photographers earn more by uploading to multiple platforms. More exposure = more potential downloads. The time investment is the trade-off.

Wirestock Convenience: Wirestock takes 15% but distributes to 10+ platforms automatically. Good for photographers who value time over maximizing per-image revenue.

Quality Over Quantity: Acceptance rates vary - Alamy and Getty are more selective. Focus on commercial quality and proper keywording regardless of platform.

Estimate earnings →Back to all photography tools →

Common Questions

Should I upload to one platform or multiple?

Most successful stock photographers upload to multiple platforms (non-exclusively) to maximize exposure. Wirestock can auto-distribute to many platforms for a 15% commission. Some photographers prefer manual uploads for better control over keywording.

What are the differences in payment rates?

High-volume platforms (Shutterstock, Adobe Stock) pay $0.10-0.50 per download but generate more sales. Premium platforms (Alamy, Getty) pay $5-50+ per download but have far fewer sales. Your total earnings often balance out.

Which platform is best for beginners?

Adobe Stock and Shutterstock have reasonable acceptance rates and high volume. Alamy and Getty are more selective. Starting with Adobe Stock or using Wirestock to distribute widely is a common beginner strategy.

What about exclusivity agreements?

Getty/iStock offer higher rates for exclusive contributors, but you can only sell on their platforms. For most photographers, non-exclusive distribution across multiple platforms generates higher total income.

Platform rates and policies change frequently. Verify current terms on each platform's official website before making decisions. This information is for educational purposes only.