Are you a video editor looking for awesome royalty-free footage for your project? No problem. We’re going to show you the best options out there.
Whether you’re editing content for an advertising 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. Fortunately, the number of websites that sell quality footage has grown in recent years.
Here are our eight stock video sites you can use for your next edit.
Comparing Plans
In a rush? Here’s a quick breakdown of each site and what’s included so you can make a decision. To make it easy, we’ve compared library size, video resolution, download limits, and yearly pricing plans for each site.
| 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 from professional filmmakers | ✖️ Subscription required — no pay-per-clip option |
| ✔️ Unlimited downloads on all plans | ✖️ Smaller library compared to larger stock sites |
| ✔️ Simple, universal licensing covers all commercial uses forever | ✖️ Yearly billing only — no month-to-month option |
| ✔️ Curated collections make it easy to find cohesive footage | ✖️ Limited niche or ultra-specific footage |
| ✔️ Access to 4K & 8K RAW/Log files on higher-tier plans | ✖️ 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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Unlimited downloads across all asset types — videos, templates, photos, music, and more | ✖️ Some footage may be less cinematic or polished than premium-only platforms |
| ✔️ Affordable flat-rate plan with access to millions of assets | ✖️ No option to buy individual clips without a subscription |
| ✔️ Simple commercial license covers most professional and client projects | ✖️ License requires registering each item for each new project |
| ✔️ Includes After Effects and Premiere Pro templates — great for video editors | ✖️ Limited access to exclusive or top-tier cinematography |
| ✔️ One subscription unlocks multiple creative categories (graphics, fonts, web assets, etc.) | ✖️ Assets are non-exclusive, so others may use the same footage |
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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Footage shot on RED cinema cameras in true RAW format for maximum flexibility | ✖️ Smaller library compared to larger stock video platforms |
| ✔️ Ideal for filmmakers who need professional, cinematic visuals | ✖️ More expensive than general-purpose stock video subscriptions |
| ✔️ Consistent visual style across collections — great for storytelling projects | ✖️ Limited variety of subjects and everyday footage |
| ✔️ Offers 4K and 8K RAW and ProRes files for advanced color grading and post-production | ✖️ Requires more storage space and technical know-how to work with RAW files |
| ✔️ Simple licensing for commercial and client use | ✖️ No free plan or pay-per-clip option |
FILMPAC
FILMPAC is a stock video platform focused on storytelling and emotional impact. It offers curated “film packs” — sets of cohesive clips shot by professional filmmakers — designed to make it easier to build cinematic, narrative-driven projects quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Story-based packs help creators build cohesive narratives quickly | ✖️ Smaller overall library compared to larger stock sites |
| ✔️ High-quality cinematic footage shot by professional filmmakers | ✖️ Subscription and pricing options can be higher than budget platforms |
| ✔️ Simple licensing covers commercial, client, and personal projects | ✖️ Limited selection of general or niche stock footage |
| ✔️ Packs include multiple matching shots for easy editing continuity | ✖️ Some packs contain fewer clips than expected for the price |
| ✔️ Offers both subscription and one-time purchase options | ✖️ No free plan available |
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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Massive video library with millions of clips across every category imaginable | ✖️ More expensive than many subscription-based competitors |
| ✔️ Consistently high-quality footage from global contributors | ✖️ Pay-per-clip pricing can add up quickly for frequent users |
| ✔️ Advanced search tools and filtering make finding the right clip easy | ✖️ Licensing can be complex, with multiple tiers and restrictions |
| ✔️ Offers both subscription and on-demand purchase options | ✖️ Some clips feel generic or overused due to popularity |
| ✔️ Integrations with popular creative tools like Adobe Premiere Pro | ✖️ No truly unlimited download plan |
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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud for instant access while editing | ✖️ Pricier than many other stock platforms, especially for large volumes |
| ✔️ High-quality, curated footage from professional contributors | ✖️ No unlimited download plan — limited by credits or subscription size |
| ✔️ Easy licensing and direct import into Premiere Pro and After Effects | ✖️ Requires an Adobe account to purchase or download assets |
| ✔️ Supports 4K and HD footage with commercial-use licensing | ✖️ Less appealing for casual users who don’t use Adobe software |
| ✔️ Option to sell your own footage through Adobe Stock’s contributor program | ✖️ Some clips can be expensive for small or short-term 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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Massive library with millions of stock video clips covering every genre and style | ✖️ Pricing can vary widely depending on the contributor and license type |
| ✔️ Offers 4K, HD, and even 8K footage options for professional productions | ✖️ No unlimited subscription plan for all content (only limited plans) |
| ✔️ Flexible purchasing options — buy clips individually or via credit packs | ✖️ Some clips are quite expensive compared to competitors |
| ✔️ Strong contributor community and wide variety of authentic footage | ✖️ Interface and pricing structure can feel overwhelming for new users |
| ✔️ Commercial-friendly licensing for film, TV, and digital use | ✖️ Subscription plans exclude some premium or exclusive content |
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 |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Backed by Getty Images — known for professional, high-quality content | ✖️ Limited download allowances unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan |
| ✔️ Offers HD and 4K video options suitable for professional projects | ✖️ Credit-based system can be confusing and costly for frequent downloads |
| ✔️ Clear licensing options for commercial and editorial use | ✖️ Smaller library than Shutterstock or Pond5 |
| ✔️ Affordable subscription plans for small businesses and solo creators | ✖️ Not all content available under every subscription tier |
| ✔️ Reliable, established platform with a strong reputation | ✖️ Some footage can appear dated or overused due to longevity in the market |
Read our full iStock review. 🔎
