A Comprehensive Review of Shutterstock’s Video Collection

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Shutterstock has long been a leading name in the stock media industry, offering a diverse range of assets, from photos and images to illustrations, audio files and video clips. While its photo and image collections often receive the spotlight, Shutterstock’s video collection is an equally impressive resource for content creators, marketers, and businesses alike. In this article, we will dive deep into Shutterstock’s video offerings to understand their scope, quality, usability, and overall value.

Why Shutterstock for Video?

Shutterstock’s video collection caters to professionals across industries, from filmmakers needing cinematic B-rolls to small business owners looking for engaging visuals for social media ads. The platform boasts over 35 million video clips, a number that continues to grow as new content is regularly added. Here’s why they are worth considering:

1. Extensive Variety: The collection includes everything from aerial drone footage and slow-motion shots to time-lapse videos and abstract visuals.
2. High Quality: Most of the clips are available in HD and 4K resolutions, meeting professional production standards.
3. Premium Selections: The site includes collections of handpicked, premium videos that, while costing more than regular ones, are ideal for high-end projects.
4. Global Contributors: Shutterstock’s network of contributors spans the globe, ensuring diversity in themes, locations, and cultural contexts.
5. Ease of Licensing: Shutterstock offers royalty-free licensing, simplifying the process of incorporating video assets into your projects.
6. Straightforward Interface: The process to search, find, pay, and download clips is simple and quickly done.
7. Customer Support: They have a help center, a live chat, and a contact center where agents directly assist buyers and potential buyers.

Licensing and Pricing

One of Shutterstock’s main advantages is its royalty-free licensing model, which grants users extensive flexibility. Once purchased, you can use the video clips across multiple projects without worrying about recurring fees. Here’s how the pricing works:

Pay-As-You-Go: Purchase individual video clips as needed, paying according to resolution.

• SD: $65
• HD: $79
• 4K: $179

While this option may seem expensive, it fits one-off projects well.

Video Packs: Save by purchasing bundles of clips. For example, a 5-clip HD pack is priced at $359, reducing the cost per clip.

Subscription Plans: The platform offers subscriptions for video downloads with different volume monthly caps and options for month-to-month and annual commitments. Plans start at $99/mo for 5 video downloads.

Enhanced Licenses: Shutterstock now offers an Enhanced Video license, which includes all the rights in the Standard license but adds extended usage coverage. This means unlimited audience size for virtually all uses, including web, streaming platforms, TV, film, and theatrical releases. You can purchase Enhanced Video clips individually for $189/$229/$359 depending on resolution, or through Enhanced video packs that start at $729 for 5 HD videos, providing greater flexibility for larger productions.

Enterprise Plans: Custom pricing and licensing options for businesses requiring large volumes of content.

Learn it all about Shutterstock video prices in this guide! And remember you can obtain a better rate using our coupon code with a 15% off all video packs and subscriptions.

All clips come with a Standard royalty-free license by default (except for Editorial assets labeled as such), enabling commercial use in various mediums. Prices for video packs and subscriptions include a Standard license. However, there are limitations regarding the project's budget when used on YouTube, as well as theatrical and broadcast usage. If you need extended coverage for your intended use, you must acquire the pertaining license, be it in a single purchase or with an Enhanced video pack.

You can learn more about Shutterstock video licensing here. 

Exploring the Video Collection

One of Shutterstock’s standout features is the sheer range of video content available. Categories include:

• Nature and Landscapes: Stunning footage of oceans, forests, and mountains for travel and environmental projects.
• Urban and Cityscapes: Dynamic clips of bustling cities, iconic landmarks, and urban life.
• People and Lifestyle: Videos featuring diverse individuals in everyday scenarios, perfect for ads and storytelling.
• Business and Technology: Professional clips showcasing modern office settings, tech devices, and futuristic concepts.
• Abstract and Artistic: Eye-catching animations and visuals for creative campaigns.

Shutterstock also provides videos in various resolutions:

• Standard Definition (SD): Budget-friendly options for smaller projects.
• High Definition (HD): Ideal for high-quality web and video productions.
• 4K Ultra HD: Premium footage for cinematic projects requiring superior clarity.

The platform ensures that even lower-resolution options maintain a level of quality that’s suitable for most applications.

User Experience

Navigating Shutterstock’s extensive library is made simple by its intuitive search and filtering tools. Users can search by keywords, themes, or categories and further refine results using filters for resolution, duration, contributor, and more. Additionally, the platform’s advanced AI-driven search suggests relevant clips based on user input, speeding up the discovery process.

Shutterstock allows users to preview videos in watermarked form before purchase. Once you’ve found the perfect clip, downloading is straightforward. The platform also provides clear metadata, including frame rate, resolution, and duration, to help you make informed decisions. All video files are provided in industry-standard formats, ensuring compatibility with popular editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. This feature streamlines the post-production process, saving valuable time for creators.

Overall, most user reviews online are positive, and Shutterstock remains one of the most popular sources for stock footage.

Strengths of Shutterstock’s Video Collection

1. Global Reach: The platform’s contributors from over 150 countries ensure a truly global collection. Whether you need a serene shot of a Japanese tea ceremony or vibrant footage from a carnival in Rio, Shutterstock delivers.
2. Frequent Updates: The library is updated daily, keeping it relevant with trending topics and seasonal content. This makes it an excellent choice for marketers looking to capitalize on current events.
3. Exclusive Footage: Shutterstock’s editorial video collection includes exclusive clips of news events, celebrity appearances, and sports highlights. This is a valuable resource for media outlets and documentarians.
4. Creative Flexibility: From standard cinematic shots to experimental abstract visuals, Shutterstock caters to a broad spectrum of creative needs.

How to Get The Most From Shutterstock’s Video Collection

1. Use Video Packs: If you frequently use stock footage, investing in video packs can significantly reduce costs per clip.
2. Explore Editor’s Picks: Shutterstock curates collections of trending and high-quality videos, saving time in your search.
3. Leverage Advanced Filters: Utilize filters for resolution, duration, and theme to narrow down results efficiently.
4. Stay Updated on Promotions: Shutterstock occasionally offers discounts and promo codes, making it more budget-friendly.
5. Integrate with Plugins: Shutterstock’s plugins for software like Adobe Premiere Pro enable seamless access to its library directly from your editing suite.

Shutterstock for Stock Video Sellers

If you produce video content and would like to monetize it on Shutterstock, you have to sign up on the contributor portal and submit a batch of videos for review; if approved, you'll become a contributor and start earning every time your content is licensed.

There are, of course, guidelines to follow. To learn more about the Shutterstock video submission process and review criteria, check out this guide to the best places to sell footage. 

Is Shutterstock Worth It?

For professionals and businesses seeking top-tier video content, Shutterstock is an outstanding resource. Its extensive, high-quality collection, global reach, and ease of use make it a valuable tool for projects ranging from social media ads to full-length films. However, the platform’s higher price point means it’s best suited for those who prioritize quality and variety over budget.

For casual creators or those on a tight budget, exploring competitors with more affordable options or free resources might be a better fit. However, for agencies, production houses, and serious marketers, Shutterstock’s video library delivers exceptional value that justifies the investment.