Shutterstock
Stock images, video, music and sound effects with an API, plus a beta generative image API.
Stock photos and images Stock video Music libraries Sound effects AI image generators Library
Price
Free tier
Free API subscription for the free media collection only.
Commercial use
Unclear
Shutterstock license
Credit the author
—
Agent access
Public API
API key needed
Rules for your agent
Copied.
- Shutterstock (Stock photos and images, Stock video, Music libraries, Sound effects, AI image generators). Stock images, video, music and sound effects with an API, plus a beta generative image API. Price: free tier; commercial use unclear; shipping inside an app unclear. Connect: API docs https://api-reference.shutterstock.com/ (API key needed); npm shutterstock-api. Limits: Requests per minute by plan: Free and Standard 'Limited', Enterprise custom; 429 example shows 1000. Rule: Use an API subscription; it is separate from a website subscription. Rule: Set ai_use_acknowledgement=true when licensing AI images; avoid public likeness or brand use. Rule: License editorial content separately.
Paste it into your prompt or AGENTS.md. It is built from the license and API terms below.
License
| License | Shutterstock license |
|---|---|
| Commercial use | Commercial use unclear |
| Credit | — |
| Inside your app or game | Shipping inside an app unclear |
| Monetized YouTube | Monetized YouTube unclear |
| AI training | Not stated |
| Bots and bulk downloads | Not stated |
| Rules |
|
Connect it to an agent
| MCP server | None found |
|---|---|
| API | API docs · key needed |
| Limits | Requests per minute by plan: Free and Standard 'Limited', Enterprise custom; 429 example shows 1000. |
| npm | npm install shutterstock-api |
Pricing
| Free | Free API subscription for the free media collection only. |
|---|---|
| Paid from | — |
| Usage price | Not on a readable page; a license-history example shows 8.65 USD. |
| Good to know | PyPI shutterstock-cli is a CLI, not an SDK. AI images are not IP-reviewed; license history has an is_ai_generated field. |
Sources
Read on Oct 10, 2026: api-reference.shutterstock.com/.
Not confirmed: License terms, YouTube rules and prices: license, developers and rate-limit pages returned 403. status.shutterstock.com redirects to the homepage.
Not legal advice. Check the license page before you ship.
Alternatives to Shutterstock
| Pick for your agent | Source | Price | License | Monetized YouTube | Agent access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freepik (Magnific) Stock photos, vectors, PSDs, icons and videos plus AI generation tools, via the Magnific API. |
Free tier | Commercial: conditions Credit required No AI training No bots | With conditions | MCP API | |
| Icons8 Icons, illustrations, photos and music with a REST API and an official MCP server (as reported). |
Free tier · from $15/mo | Commercial: conditions Credit required | Unclear | MCP API | |
| Pixabay Free photos, illustrations, vectors, videos, music and sound effects; the API covers images and videos only. |
Free | Commercial OK Credit (API) No AI training No bots | With conditions | API | |
| Storyblocks Subscription stock video, audio and images, with an API for platforms under Standard and Enhanced API licenses. |
Free tier | Commercial: conditions No credit No AI training | With conditions | API | |
| Unsplash Free photos with a public API; paid Unsplash+ adds a separately licensed collection. |
Free tier | Commercial OK Credit (API) | With conditions | API | |
| Depositphotos Stock images, vectors, video and music, with a bespoke API program on request. |
from $29/mo | Commercial: conditions Credit varies | With conditions | API | |
| Getty Images / iStock Stock images, video and illustrations with a partner API and a generative AI API. |
iStock Basic EUR 29/month (annual), Premium+Video EUR... | Commercial: conditions Credit varies No AI training | With conditions | API | |
| Envato Elements Subscription library of video, photos, vectors, music, sound effects and templates; no public API. |
Core EUR 14.50/month billed annually or EUR 29 monthly... | Commercial: conditions No bots | With conditions | Download |
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Copied. Paste it into your prompt or AGENTS.md.