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Brief
iStock

iStock

iStock provides affordable access to millions of high-quality royalty-free images, videos, and illustrations, democratizing professional creative content for businesses and creators of all sizes.

istock.comCalgary, Alberta, CanadaFounded 2000Parent: Getty Images

Last updated May 11, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Industry
Creative Content/Stock Media
Business Model
Marketplace
Target Market
SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Employee Count
201-500
Funding
$50M
Revenue Range
$100M-$500M
Stock Symbol
NASDAQ:VIA
Parent Company
Getty Images
API Available
Yes
Market Position

Leading affordable stock content marketplace within the Getty Images portfolio

Overview

iStock is a prominent stock content marketplace that provides millions of royalty-free images, illustrations, videos, and audio files to creative professionals, marketers, and businesses. Founded in 2000 as a pioneering microstock photography platform, iStock revolutionized the stock content industry by offering high-quality creative assets at significantly lower prices than traditional stock agencies. The platform operates on a credit-based system and subscription model, making professional visual content accessible to small businesses, freelancers, and large enterprises alike. iStock operates as a subsidiary of Getty Images, which acquired the company in 2006. Despite the acquisition, iStock maintains its distinct brand identity and continues to serve as Getty Images' more affordable, accessible option in the stock content market. The platform features content from a global community of contributors and offers an extensive library spanning diverse subjects, styles, and formats. iStock's content is widely used in advertising campaigns, website design, social media marketing, presentations, and various other commercial applications. As part of the Getty Images family, iStock benefits from advanced search technology, content curation, and distribution infrastructure while maintaining its position as a go-to resource for cost-effective, high-quality creative assets. The platform continues to play a significant role in the creative content ecosystem, serving millions of customers globally and enabling businesses of all sizes to access professional visual content for their marketing and advertising needs.

Products & Features

Stock Photos

Extensive library of millions of royalty-free photographs covering diverse subjects and styles

Stock Videos

High-quality video clips and footage for commercial use in various formats and resolutions

Illustrations & Vectors

Scalable vector graphics and illustrations for design projects

Audio Files

Royalty-free music tracks and sound effects for multimedia projects

Credit Packs

Flexible credit-based purchasing system for downloading individual assets

Subscription Plans

Monthly subscription options for regular content downloads at discounted rates

Key Features
Millions of royalty-free creative assetsCredit-based and subscription pricing modelsAdvanced search and filtering capabilitiesExclusive and signature collectionsMultiple file sizes and resolutionsSimple licensing for commercial useMobile app accessAI-powered visual searchCurated collections and boardsGlobal contributor community
Use Cases
Digital advertising and marketing campaignsWebsite and blog contentSocial media marketing materialsPresentations and corporate communicationsPrint advertising and brochuresVideo production and editingGraphic design projectsE-commerce product listingsEmail marketing campaignsMobile app design
Customer Segments
Small and medium-sized businessesMarketing agenciesGraphic designersWeb developersContent creators and bloggersSocial media managersCorporate marketing departmentsFreelance creativesE-commerce businessesPublishers

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