Whether you’re editing promotional content for a client or working on a full Hollywood production, stock video is an essential part of every editor’s toolkit.
As filmmaking experts, we’re often asked if we know of good stock video sites for last-minute projects. Luckily, the number of websites that sell quality footage has grown in recent years.
How Does Stock Footage Licensing Work?
Stock footage licensing can get confusing fast, especially when every website uses slightly different terminology. To make things easier, here’s a quick breakdown of the most common licensing types and what they actually mean.
| License Type | What It Means | Limitations | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty-Free | One-time payment; use forever, multiple projects allowed | May not cover huge broadcast campaigns unless specified | YouTube videos, freelance client work, corporate videos |
| Rights-Managed | Price based on usage (region, duration, audience, placement) | Strict usage limits; can get expensive | High-end commercial campaigns, TV ads |
| Editorial Use Only | Footage featuring real brands, logos, people, or events without releases | Cannot be used commercially (ads, promos, client work) | Documentaries, news, educational content |
| Universal/Unlimited License | Lifetime usage in any project; simple, all-inclusive license | Only available from certain platforms | Freelancers, agencies, commercial work, broadcast |
| Extended License | Expands rights for large campaigns, broadcast, or resale products | Costs more; not needed for typical client projects | National/global ads, apps, templates, broadcast TV |
If you’re delivering work to clients, it’s important to know exactly what you’re allowed to do with the clips you download. Spending a moment to understand the terms now can save you a lot of hassle later.
How We Test Each Platform
When putting this list together, we tested each platform the same way we would for a real editing project.
- Video quality — resolution, color profiles, and frame rates
- Licensing — how straightforward the terms are and whether they work for client projects
- Library size & variety — not just how big it is, but whether the clips are genuinely useful
- Pricing & value — what you get for your money, and whether the plans suit freelancers
- Ease of use — search tools, filters, and how fast you can find what you need
- Extra features — things like shot packs, templates, curated collections, or editor-friendly tools
Stock Footage Subscriptions At A Glance
If you’re in a rush, here’s a breakdown of each site, including library size, footage resolution, download limit, and subscription price.
| Website | Video Library | Max Resolution | Subscription Price | Downloads | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artgrid | 160,000+ | 8K | $29.99/month (billed yearly) | Unlimited | No |
| Envato Elements | 5.8M+ | 4K | $16.50/month (billed yearly) | Unlimited | No |
| FILMPAC | Unknown | 4K | $24.92/month (billed yearly) | Unlimited | No |
| RawFilm | Unknown | 8K | $58.65/month (billed yearly) | 1000 clips/year | No |
| Shutterstock | 35M+ | 4K | $119/month (billed yearly) | 30 videos/month | No |
| Adobe Stock | 33M+ | 4K | $199.99/month (billed yearly) | 25 videos/month | No |
| Pond5 | 43M+ | 4K | $199/month (billed yearly) | 10 videos/month | No |
| iStock | 18M+ | 4K | $165/month (billed yearly) | 25 videos/month | No |
This is just a quick comparison, so if you want more of an in-depth guide, then read on.
Artgrid
💰 Get 2 months free at Artgrid! 💰
Artgrid is a premium stock video platform known for its cinematic footage and simple, universal licensing. Created by the team behind Artlist, it’s ideal for filmmakers and creators who want professional-quality footage without complicated usage terms.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ High-quality cinematic footage with curated collections | ✖️ Subscription only (no pay-per-clip option) |
| ✔️ Unlimited downloads on all plans | ✖️ Smaller library compared to others |
| ✔️ Simple commercial licensing | ✖️ Yearly billing only (no monthly option) |
| ✔️ Access to 4K/8K RAW and Log files on higher tiers | ✖️ No free plan or trial |
Read our full Artgrid review. 🔎
Envato Elements
Envato Elements is an all-in-one creative subscription service offering unlimited downloads of stock videos, photos, music, templates, fonts, and more. It’s ideal for creators who want a wide range of digital assets under one simple license and affordable plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Access to photos, footage, music, AE templates, and other creative assets | ✖️ Footage quality varies (less cinematic than other platforms) |
| ✔️ Affordable subscriptions | ✖️ Subscription only (no pay-per-clip option) |
| ✔️ Simple commercial licensing | ✖️ You need to register assets per project |
| ✔️ Unlimited downloads | ✖️ Content isn’t exclusive |
Read our full Envato Elements review. 🔎
RawFilm
💰 Get 15% off at RawFilm! 💰
RawFilm is a premium stock video platform offering authentic, high-quality footage shot exclusively in RED RAW format. It’s built for professional filmmakers and video editors who want cinematic, color-grade-ready material with consistent visual quality across clips.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ High-quality footage shot on RED cameras | ✖️ Smaller library with limited subject variety |
| ✔️ 4K and 8K RAW/ProRes files for advanced grading | ✖️ Pricey compared to other platforms |
| ✔️ Curated film packs with matching shots in each pack | ✖️ RAW files require more storage and technical skills |
| ✔️ Simple commercial licensing | ✖️ No free plan or trial |
FILMPAC
FILMPAC is a stock video platform focused on storytelling and emotional impact. It offers curated “film packs” which are sets of cohesive clips shot by professional filmmakers designed to make it easier to build cinematic, narrative-driven projects more quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ High-quality cinematic footage shot on RED, ARRI, Sony, and Blackmagic cameras | ✖️ Smaller library with limited niche or general footage |
| ✔️ Curated film packs with matching shots in each pack | ✖️ Pricey compared to other platforms |
| ✔️ Simple commercial licensing | ✖️ Some packs include fewer clips than expected |
| ✔️ Offers both subscriptions and one-time purchases | ✖️ No free plan or trial |
Shutterstock
💰 Get 15% off at Shutterstock! 💰
Shutterstock is one of the largest and most established stock media platforms in the world, offering millions of high-quality stock videos, photos, music tracks, and templates. Its vast library and robust search tools make it a go-to choice for professionals and businesses that need reliable, ready-to-license footage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Huge stock footage library | ✖️ Pricey compared to other platforms |
| ✔️ Clever search and filtering tools | ✖️ Licensing structure can be complex |
| ✔️ Offers subscriptions, credit packs, and one-off purchases | ✖️ Clips can feel generic or overused |
| ✔️ Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud | ✖️ No unlimited download plan on subscriptions |
Read our full Shutterstock review. 🔎
Adobe Stock
Adobe Stock is a premium stock video and image platform integrated directly into Adobe Creative Cloud apps like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. It’s designed for editors who want high-quality, ready-to-use footage that fits seamlessly into their existing creative workflow.
Adobe Stock also offers a 30-day free trial, which allows you to download 10 free images and then cancel anytime within the first month!
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud | ✖️ Pricey compared to other platforms |
| ✔️ High-quality footage and curated collections | ✖️ No unlimited download plan on subscriptions |
| ✔️ Simple commercial licensing | ✖️ Designed for Adobe users |
| ✔️ Clever search and filtering tools | ✖️ Some clips can be costly for small projects |
Read our full Adobe Stock review. 🔎
Pond5
💰 Get 20% off at Pond5! 💰
Pond5 is one of the most respected stock video marketplaces, known for its vast collection of royalty-free footage, music, and sound effects. It caters to filmmakers, broadcasters, and creative professionals who need high-quality, diverse, and easily licensable media assets.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Huge stock footage library | ✖️ Some clips are pricey |
| ✔️ Clever search and filtering tools | ✖️ No fully unlimited subscription option |
| ✔️ Offers subscriptions, credit packs, and one-off purchases | ✖️ Some premium content isn’t included in subscriptions |
| ✔️ Licensing options for film, TV, and digital use |
Read our full Pond5 review. 🔎
iStock
iStock, part of Getty Images, is a well-established stock media platform offering a wide selection of high-quality videos, photos, and illustrations. It’s a trusted choice for businesses, marketers, and content creators who want professional footage from a reputable source.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Clever search and filtering tools | ✖️ Smaller library than others |
| ✔️ Integrates with Adobe Creative Cloud | ✖️ Credit system can be confusing and costly |
| ✔️ Licensing for commercial and editorial projects | ✖️ Limited downloads and content access on lower subscriptions |
| ✔️ Offers subscriptions and credit packs | ✖️ Some footage looks a bit dated |
Read our full iStock review. 🔎
Wrapping Up
In short, it really depends on the kind of projects you’re working on and how often you need new footage. Some platforms are perfect for high-end, cinematic work, while others are more budget-friendly and ideal for quick client edits or social content.
Think about the type of footage you use most, your budget, and how flexible you need the licensing to be. Once you know that, choosing the right platform becomes a lot easier.
