Essential Guide to Plans and Costs for Shutterstock Footage in 2025

When searching for high-quality video content, Shutterstock emerges as one of the leading providers. Its comprehensive offer has various buying options catering to different content needs and budget sizes. This guide offers a breakdown and comparison of video pricing options and subscription details to help you make the best investment and maximize the value of your money.

Offer TypeMinimum PurchaseBiggest PurchaseLowest Cost per Clip
Monthly Subscription$189/mo (5 vids)$669/mo (20 vids)$33.45 (any resolution up to 4K)
Annual (billed monthly) Subscription$99/mo (5 vids)$199/mo (20 vids)$9.95 (any resolution up to 4K)
Annual (paid upfront) Subscription$949/yr (5 vids per month – total 60)$1,999/yr (20 vids per month – total 240)$8.32 (any resolution up to 4K)
SD Pack (Standard)$299 (5 vids)$1,299 (25 vids)$51.96
HD Pack (Standard)$359 (5 vids)$1,579 (25 vids)$63.16
4K Pack (Standard)$599 (5 vids)$2,299 (25 vids)$91.96
This exclusive coupon gives you 15% off on your next stock footage purchase: video packs, credit packs, or video subscriptions!

Exploring Pricing Models

Shutterstock stock video service offers a range of pricing options to accommodate different user requirements. Below is an overview of their pricing models:

Pricing ModelDescriptionIdeal For
Subscription PlansMonthly or annual memberships granting a fixed number of videos per month.Frequent users who require diverse clips regularly.
Pay-Per-DownloadPurchase individual clips as needed without a subscription.Occasional users or those with specific project requirements.
Video PacksPrepay a set number of downloads in advance to get videos at your own pace, offering flexibility.Users who prefer not to commit to a subscription.
FreebiesSelection of weekly free files and occasional bundle giveaways, allowing users to explore and use the content for freeNew users wanting to evaluate the service before making a commitment.

Key Factors Affecting Video Pricing

Several elements determine the cost of stock video content on this website. Being aware of these factors can help you select the most suitable option:

  • Purchase Method: You can buy videos on demand by the unit, in download packs, or with a subscription plan. Price points decrease in that order.
  • Volume: In all buying options, a higher volume of downloads means lower per-clip cost. 
  • Video Quality: When buying on demand, prices follow quality, with higher resolution options, such as 4K, coming at a higher price point.
  • Licensing Options: All clips come with a Standard video license at the default prices; an Enhanced license with extensive usage rights is available at a higher cost. 

Video Subscriptions – Most Affordable Option

shutterstock video pricing subscriptions

The most cost-effective offer for royalty-free footages, subscription plans give a set of downloads each month for a flat fee. You have three volume tiers to choose from, and each has the option to subscribe month to month, for one year with monthly bills, or annually paying upfront. The price of the plan, and thus, of each video downloaded, decreases with the longer you commit. One great advantage is that with these plans all resolutions cost the same, making it the best option of all for high quality, especially 4K.

PlanPriceCost per Clip
5 vids monthly$189/mo$37.80
5 vids, annual billed monthly$99/mo$19.80
5 vids, annual paid upfront$949/yr$15.81
10 vids, monthly$359/mo$35.90
10 vids, annual billed monthly$159/mo$15.90
10 vids, annual paid upfront$1.599/yr$13.32
20 vids monthly$669/mo$33.45
20 vids, annual billed monthly$199/mo$9.95
20 vids, annual paid upfront$1,999/yr$8.32

With our special discount, you can get 15% off any video subscription! 

Video Packs – Extra Flexibility

shutterstock video pricing standard packs

For those who cannot or don't like to commit to recurrent fees, video packs are ideal. These are prepaid downloads you can use up for one year from the purchase date, which gives ample flexibility. They work similar to credits in other agencies, except that these downloads are media-specific: video packs only allow to download footage, and image packs only give access to still imagery. The larger the pack, the lower the individual clip price will be. 

PackPriceCost per Clip
SD 5 vids$299$59.80
SD 10 vids$549$54.90
SD 25 vids$1,299$51.96
HD 5 vids$359$71.80
HD 10 vids$669$66.90
HD 25 vids$1,579$63.16
4K 5 vids$599$119.80
4K 10 vids$999$99.90
4K 25 vids$2,299$91.96

Remember you have a coupon code to save 15% off any video pack!

Individual Clip Purchase – Simplest Method 

Finally, the easiest way to acquire video footage on this platform is to buy it by the unit. This option is only available for videos; images require a minimum purchase of two.  

ResolutionPrice
SD$65
HD$79
4K$179

While the individual prices are the highest of all on Shutterstock, they're still fairly affordable and are the ideal solution when you only need one clip. Our 15% discount applies to single videos, too!

Enhanced License Videos

shutterstock video pricing enhanced packs

When your project demands more than a Standard license, opt for an Enhanced license to unlock broader usage rights. Available on-demand, you can purchase individual clips or packs just like the Standard ones. Although pricier, these licenses offer incredible flexibility under Shutterstock's terms. Most creative needs are covered by the Standard agreement, so you'll rarely require Enhanced clips.

PackPriceCost per Clip
SD single vid$189$189
SD 5 vids$669$133.80
SD 10 vids$919$91.90
SD 25 vids$1,669$66.76
HD single vid$229$229
HD 5 vids$729$145.80
HD 10 vids$1,039$103.90
HD 25 vids$1,949$77.96
4K single vid$359$359
4K 5 vids$969$193.80
4K 10 vids$1,369$136.90
4K 25 vids$2,669$106.76

Tips for Selecting the Right Buying Option

Now you understand the pricing structure, follow these tips to define which offer is more convenient for you: 

  • Assess your volume and quality needs: Determine how often and for how long you will require video content and whether you need 4K or HD resolution.
  • Set a budget: Decide how much you're able or willing to spend 
  • Clear usage rights: Define how you plan to use the content and confirm what license you'll require. Here is a complete guide to Shutterstock video licensing.
  • Compare offers: Check subscriptions and packs within your budget to see which option gives you more value for your money. 
  • Use our special discounts: Maximize savings with the coupon code on this page. 
  • Take advantage of freebies: Before spending money, use the weekly free videos to test the quality and suitability of the content for your projects. 

Why Shutterstock for Stock Footage

shutterstock video pricing, homepage of video library on shutterstock

This is a leading company in the stock media industry, famous for having one of the largest catalogs online, secure and comprehensive licensing and superb quality. The footage library hosts millions of shorts carefully curated into collections for easy access. They also sell stock photography, illustrations, music, exclusive and premium content, and editorial imagery, making it a one-stop shop for pro creatives. 

These videos have strong commercial appeal and are ideal to include in projects for marketing, advertising, branding, creativity, and more. The royalty-free license allows using them across all sorts of mediums and for multiple purposes. 

For more details, check out our Shutterstock review. 

Buy Stock Videos Wisely 

Choosing the right buying option for stock videos involves understanding the various product offers and evaluating your specific needs. This breakdown of Shutterstock video pricing plans and costs helps you do that so you can make an informed purchase that aligns with your project requirements and budget. Whether you are a content creator, marketer, or business owner, buying videos on this outlet has never been easier!

This exclusive coupon gives you 15% off on your next stock footage purchase: video packs, credit packs, or video subscriptions!

Ivy Attié
Ivy Attié

I am Content Manager, Researcher, and Author in Stock Photo Press and its many stock media oriented publications. I am a passionate communicator with a love for visual imagery and an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge. Lucky enough to enter the wonderful world of stock photography working side-by-side with experienced experts, I am happy to share my research, insights, and advice about image licensing, stock photography offers, and the stock media industry with everyone in the creative community. My background is in Communication and Journalism, and I also love literature and performing arts.

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