8 Best Shutterstock Alternatives & Competitors in September 2026

The 10 percent off any plan reflects Shutterstock's position as one of the largest, most established stock media marketplaces, competing on library size and cross-media flexibility. Its differentiator is the breadth of images, video, music, and editorial in one properly licensed catalog, plus Flex credits that move across media types. Adobe Stock is the closest alternative, especially compelling if your team lives in Creative Cloud, since it integrates directly into Adobe apps. Getty Images and its iStock brand serve the premium and editorial end, with iStock as the more budget-friendly tier. Depositphotos and Freepik are lower-cost options, with Freepik strong on graphics and templates. Free libraries like Unsplash and Pexels work when you can accept common, non-exclusive imagery. Choose Shutterstock for a large, flexible, safely licensed library, choose Adobe Stock for Creative Cloud integration, and use the free libraries for low-stakes visuals. The discount and trial are the way to test the catalog against your needs at a lower cost.

Shutterstock is one of the most popular web & design tools, but it is not always the right fit for every team. The best Shutterstock alternatives offer different pricing, features, or startup deals that might match your needs better. Whether you are looking for a cheaper Shutterstock alternative, an open-source Shutterstock alternative, or simply a tool like Shutterstock with a better startup deal, the 8 alternatives above are all worth considering.

Each Shutterstock alternative listed here offers an exclusive deal through SaaSOffers, from free credits to discount codes and extended trials, so you can save thousands on your stack while finding the right fit. Most startups end up using a combination of web & design tools, and there are no restrictions on claiming multiple deals through SaaSOffers.

Top Shutterstock alternatives compared

The best alternatives to Shutterstock in September 2026 are UserTesting, Maze, UserWay, Abstract and Canva Pro. Each one is a verified Shutterstock competitor with a startup deal you can claim through SaaSOffers, making them genuinely cheaper alternatives to Shutterstock for early-stage teams.

How we picked these Shutterstock alternatives

We selected 8 tools from the Web & Design category that have verified startup deals available through SaaSOffers. They are ranked as the best Shutterstock alternatives by deal value, popularity, and how well they replace Shutterstock for early-stage teams. Every alternative on this page is a real working tool with active deals, not affiliate fluff.

Free Shutterstock alternatives for startups

Many of the Shutterstock alternatives listed offer free plans, free credits, or extended trials specifically for startups. If you are looking for a free Shutterstock alternative, check the deal value on each card above. Alternatives marked with "Free" or "credits" can be used at zero cost. Combined with the SaaSOffers free account, these alternatives can save your startup thousands per year.

Can I claim multiple web & design deals?

Yes. There are no restrictions on claiming multiple startup deals through SaaSOffers. Many startups try 2-3 Shutterstock alternatives before settling on the right one, for example, one for the main use case and another for a specialized workflow. Claim every alternative that fits your needs.

Shutterstock vs alternatives: which is best?

The "best" Shutterstock alternative depends on your specific needs. Shutterstock excels at web & design, but the alternatives above each have unique strengths. Some are better for small teams, others for enterprise scale, and some offer better startup pricing. Compare deal values, features, and team size requirements before deciding which Shutterstock alternative to claim.