Exploring Storyblocks: Features, Benefits, and Insights for Creators

In the fast-paced world of digital content creation, access to high-quality media assets is crucial for success. Storyblocks has established itself as a reliable platform that provides a vast collection of stock video, audio, and images, catering to a diverse audience that includes independent filmmakers, marketers, and content creators. This article delves into the platform's offerings, advantages, and potential limitations, equipping you with the insights needed to determine if it aligns with your creative objectives.

Please note that we don´t recommend Storyblocks. Instead we recommend Envato.

What is Storyblocks?

Storyblocks is a stock media provider that offers royalty-free videos, photos, illustrations, music, sound effects, and more. It is oriented to independent filmmakers, marketers and content creators, giving them all the elements to complete their projects. The service operates on a subscription basis, granting users full and unlimited access to the extensive library of stock media. This resource is invaluable for those looking to enhance their projects with professional-grade visuals and audio while avoiding the complexities of traditional licensing and download limitations.

Like we always do in our reviews, next, we'll look at the features, trustworthiness and alternatives to Storyblocks to help you define if it's a good fit for your needs.

Core Features of Storyblocks

Feature	Description
Unlimited Downloads	Subscribers can download an unlimited number of assets, providing flexibility and encouraging creative experimentation.
High-Quality Content	The platform offers a curated selection of media, including options for 4K video and professional audio tracks, ensuring top-notch quality.
Flexible Licensing	Storyblocks simplifies the licensing process, allowing users to incorporate assets into commercial projects without legal complications.
User-Friendly Interface	The intuitive design of the platform streamlines the search and download process, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.

Advantages of Utilizing Storyblocks

One of the standout benefits of Storyblocks is its extensive and continually updated library, which ensures that users have access to fresh and relevant media. The content is selected prioritizing story telling, so that customers can truly bring their visions to life using motion and still imagery. The unlimited download feature allows creators to explore various assets without the worry of incurring additional costs, fostering creativity and innovation.

Considerations Before Committing

While Storyblocks offers numerous advantages, it's essential to consider potential drawbacks. Some users may find that niche content is less prevalent, which could limit options for specific projects. As it's a relatively modest catalog, significantly smaller than competitors', variety in general can be an issue. Additionally, the subscription model may not be ideal for those who only require assets occasionally, as it could lead to unnecessary costs.

Pricing Plans

 

Storyblocks offers several pricing plans to accommodate different user needs. Below is a breakdown of the available subscription options:

Plan	Price (Annual Billing)	Price (Monthly Billing)	Downloads	Media Types Included
Starter	$15/month	$30/month	5 per month	HD footage, music, photos, vectors and illustrations
Unlimited All Access	$30/month	$65/month	Unlimited	4K & HD footage, video templates, music & sound effects, photos, vectors, illustrations
Pro	$35/month	$70/month	Unlimited	4K & HD footage, video templates, music & sound effects, photos, vectors, illustrations, Plugin for Adobe Creative Cloud

All of their plans also include full access to their Maker Video Editor too!

Please note that we don´t recommend Storyblocks. Instead we recommend Envato.

It's worth noting these are individual plans, intended for single users. All content downloaded with these memberships come with an Individual license. However, they have Business plans available too, which offer unlimited downloads, access for entire teams, admin controls, and a Business license with extensive usare rights, among other perks. Prices for Business plans are custom and you must contact a representative from the company for a quote.

Straightforward Licensing

Storyblocks' individual license is very easy to understand. It's a royalty-free license that grants you the right to use the assets for personal and commercial projects, across various media like educational, print, multimedia, games, merchandise, and the internet. It does include a few restrictions, such as the prohibition to use the assets in products for resale or for on-demand order, and on TV, Broadcast or OTT platforms. However, such rights can be acquired via a Business license.

Pros and Cons of Using Storyblocks

Before committing to a subscription, it's essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using Storyblocks:

Pros	Cons
Extensive library of high-quality media assets.	Some niche content may be less available.
Unlimited downloads encourage creative exploration.	Subscription costs may not be justified for occasional users.
User-friendly interface simplifies the search process.	Quality of some assets may vary.
Flexible licensing for commercial use.	Limited customization options for certain assets.

Trustworthiness and Recommendations

This platform has been online for over a decade, and the company has been in business for even longer, since 2009. Such a long history and successful track record speak of their reliability and seriousness.

Additionally, their website displays an array of famous brands and organizations using their services, such as Canon, the Harvard Business School or I Heart Media, and positive user ratings and commentary.

Overall, it's a safe service to try.

Alternatives and Competitors

Storyblocks has the honor badge of being the pioneer of unlimited subscriptions for stock media, with which it competed against other agencies like Shutterstock or iStock, that have plans with different volume of downloads.

Please note that we don´t recommend Storyblocks. Instead we recommend Envato.

Today, there are other providers with similar offers. Envato is one platform offering unlimited, multimedia downloads, and they have more affordable pricing. You can learn how they measure up against each other and which one is best, on our Envato vs Storyblocks breakdown.

Other alternatives and direct competitors to may want to compare include Motion Array and Canva.

Key Takeaways

Here are some essential points to consider when evaluating Storyblocks for your media needs:

• Access to Quality Content: Storyblocks provides a vast library of high-quality stock media online on their website, making it a valuable resource for creators.
• Flexible Licensing: The platform's licensing model allows for easy use of assets in commercial projects, reducing legal concerns.
• Cost-Effective for Frequent Users: For those who regularly need media assets, the subscription model can be cost-effective compared to purchasing individual licenses.
• Special Offers: Consider taking advantage of any trial or special offers to explore the platform and assess its worth and suitability for your projects.

Conclusion

In summary, Storyblocks stands out as a robust platform for creators seeking a reliable source of stock media. With its extensive library, user-friendly interface, and flexible licensing options, it caters to a wide range of creative needs. However, potential users should carefully consider their specific requirements and usage patterns to determine if the subscription model will align with their goals. By weighing the pros and cons and other information mentioned in this review, and exploring the available plans, you can make an informed decision that enhances your content creation process.