The Top Stock Video Sites of 2023: Our Picks and Why

If you're in the business of creating video content, you know how important it is to have access to high-quality stock footage. Whether you're a videographer, a video production company or a marketer looking to add some visual spice to your projects, finding the right stock video site can make a big difference in the quality and effectiveness of your message.

As a video production company, we’ve had the chance to use the majority of these stock video sites in the post below. We are speaking from first-hand experience, and have insight into what makes each one of them unique. While the list is not exhaustive, it covers the most popular paid and free sites currently in 2023.

Firstly, here are some definitions that are relevant to the stock video industry that may you come across when browsing stock videos:

What does Royalty-free mean?

Royalty-free refers to the right to use copyrighted material or intellectual property without the need to pay royalties. An example of this would be using a stock video on a website. By purchasing a royalty-free license for the stock video, you can use the video on your website as many times as you like without having to pay additional fees each time someone views the video. It's important to note that while royalty-free materials don't require ongoing payments, they may still have certain usage restrictions, like limits on the number of copies made or how the content can be used.

HD and 4K: What’s the difference?

HD, or high definition, refers to a video resolution of 1920 x 1080, which is still an industry-standard in 2023. 4K resolution is double the HD resolution at 3840 x 2160. While many videos are filmed in 4K, they are often edited and released in HD, which gives video editors more flexibility to make frame adjustments such as cropping or zooming. When purchasing video content from stock websites, you may have the option to choose between 4K, HD, and even SD (1280 x 720). If you are unsure, choose HD, or if you are on a budget, SD should suffice.

Stock Video Licenses

When you purchase a stock video clip, you are essentially buying the right to use that clip in a specific project. Most licenses allow you to use the clip in one project, but if you want to use the clip in multiple projects, you will need to purchase multiple licenses. It's worth noting that if you are using the clip in a product that you are selling, or in a broadcast setting such as a TV movie or documentary, you may need to purchase an extended license, which is typically more expensive. It's always a good idea to carefully review the terms of the license before using the stock video clip to ensure that you are using it legally and in accordance with the terms of the license.

Commercial Stock Video vs Editorial

Commercial stock footage refers to video content that is intended for use in advertising or marketing campaigns. It is usually used with the intention of promoting a product or service, and is typically more polished and professionally produced. In contrast, editorial stock footage refers to video content that is intended for use in news, journalism, or other non-commercial contexts. On stock video sites, you can typically filter your search results by commercial or editorial use, depending on your needs. It is important to note that you will need to purchase a different license for commercial versus editorial use.

Here are the top paid and free stock video sites in 2023:

1 . Shutterstock

Shutterstock stands out as our top pick due to its impressive collection of high-quality stock footage, which includes a wide range of unique and specific clips. As a contributor to the site, we can confirm that Shutterstock maintains strict quality control standards to ensure that all of the footage meets a high level of quality.

Pros:

A massive and diverse collection of high-quality footage

A user-friendly website and search engine

Cons:

Relatively expensive to buy individual clips

All clips are the same price regardless of quality

Shutterstock Pricing:

Individual HD clips for $79 USD

5, 10, and 25 clip packs for $359, $669, and $1579

The lowest monthly subscription plan paid annually gives you one clip a month for $29.

The lowest no-commitment monthly subscription plan gives you one clip a month for $49.

Who’s Shutterstock for?

Shutterstock is best for when you have a budget and are going to be buying high-quality video clips on a regular basis. Shutterstock shines when you will be focusing on a wide range of topics or styles.

2. Pond5

As a video production company, we often turn to Pond5 for specific footage. One of the standout features of Pond5 is the ability to purchase individual clips at various price points, which is especially useful for those with limited budgets or who don't want to commit to a subscription or credit pack. The purchasing process is straightforward and it's easy to download previews of the clips before making a purchase.

It's worth noting that content creators often upload their clips to multiple platforms, so you may find the same clip at different prices on different sites. If you find a clip on Shutterstock, it's a good idea to check Pond5 to see if you can get a better deal or to avoid having to buy a credit pack on Shutterstock.

Pros:

A large and diverse collection of high-quality footage

Budget-friendly clips available

Pricing in multiple currencies

Cons:

Doesn’t always have the top-tier clips

Pond5 Pricing:

Individual clips start from $25 USD

Save money by purchasing credits in bulk, with options including $250 for $25 free, $500 for $65 free, and $1000 for $160 free.

Choose a monthly subscription for 10 clips at $199 per month, or pay yearly for a discounted rate of $999.

Who is Pond5 for?

Pond5 is a good option for one-time projects that require the purchase of a few individual clips.

3. Adobe Stock

Adobe Stock comes in at number 3 on our list. Despite being a newcomer to the stock industry, they have quickly amassed a large collection and are already a major player in the stock video market. One of the benefits of Adobe Stock is its integration with Adobe Premiere Pro, allowing video editors to search and preview clips directly from the program and if you have an existing Adobe subscription, your payment information will already be set up and ready for use.

Pros:

A large and diverse collection of high-quality footage

Integration into the Adobe apps

Cons:

Relatively expensive to buy individual clips

All clips are the same price regardless of quality

Adobe Stock Pricing:

Individual HD clips for $79.99 USD

2, 5, 10, and 18 clip credit packs for $149, $359.99, $669.99, and $1200

The lowest monthly subscription plan paid annually gives you one clip a month for $29.99.

The lowest no-commitment monthly subscription plan gives you 3 clips a month for $69.99.

Who is Adobe Stock for?

Adobe Stock is best for when you have a budget and are going to be buying high-quality video clips on a regular basis. Adobe Stock shines when you are integrating your Adobe Suite subscription.

4. Pexels

Pexels is a website offering a wide range of stock videos and photos for both personal and commercial use, all for free. No attribution is necessary to use any of the clips on the site. Pexels is also a great resource for finding video clips that help to visualize moods or emotions. The site also has a large selection of vertical clips that can be used on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Pros:

Free to use

Collection of vertical videos

Cons:

Limited variety of clips

As it is free to use, it may be more commonly found on the internet.

Pexels Pricing:

All video clips are free to use.

Who is Pexels for?

Pexels is for when you are on a budget but you still want your video to look good.

5. Pixabay

Pixabay is a website offering a large collection of free, high-quality images and videos that can be used for personal or commercial purposes. Everything on Pixabay can be used for free without the need to pay for a license or give credit to the creators, making it a valuable resource for those working with a budget. However, it's worth noting that the selection may be limited and you may need to look elsewhere to find the perfect clip for your project.

Pros:

Free to use

Cons:

Limited variety of clips

As it is free to use, it may be more commonly found on the internet.

Pixabay Pricing:

All video clips are free to use.

Who is Pixabay for?

If you're working with a limited budget but still want your video to look professional, Pixabay is a great resource to consider.

6. FilmSupply

FilmSupply is a stock video platform offering a wide range of premium stock footage from professional filmmakers using top-of-the-line equipment and resources. If you're in search of the best of the best, FilmSupply is the place to go. In addition to standard stock footage, the site also offers unique narrative-based clips that tell a story. Film Supply may come with a higher price tag, but these one-of-a-kind clips are well worth the investment.

Pros:

Cinematically stunning clips.

Ability to license not just clips but scenes.

They will research clips for you

Cons:

The most expensive option

Pricing is not fixed

Film Supply Pricing:

Clips are priced from $109 USD to $700+, with the final cost depending on various factors such as where the video will be published and the size of the business utilizing the video.

Who is Film Supply for?

Film Supply is a resource for production companies seeking to elevate their video content with epic stock footage, or for businesses looking to incorporate top-quality cinematic assets into their marketing and publications.

7. Artgrid

Artgrid is a stock media platform featuring a curated selection of premium, high-quality video clips, music tracks, and sound effects. The platform offers unlimited downloads with an annual subscription and is a great source for top-notch cinematic footage for your projects.

Pros:

Unlimited premium stock footage

Cinematic formats (Prores, Graded footage, LOG)

Cons:

Annual Subscription

Smaller collection compared to other top platforms

Artgrid Pricing:

Junior Plan - $239.90 USD annually includes HD footage

Creator Plan - $359.90 USD annually includes 4 - 8K footage

Pro Plan - $599 USD annually includes 4 - 8K Raw/LOG footage

Who is Artgrid for?

Artgrid is a valuable resource for video production companies looking to add cinematic footage to their existing projects or create new ones from scratch using the platform's exceptional footage.

8. StoryBlocks

Storyblocks is a subscription-based stock media platform that offers a diverse and extensive collection of high-quality stock footage at an affordable price. In addition to footage, their subscriptions also include access to photography, music, video templates, and more. As the world's first subscription-based stock media platform, Storyblocks has established itself as a major player in the industry.

Pros:

Large library of stock footage

Access to photos and other media

Affordable compared to other subscriptions

Cons:

May not always offer top-tier clips

No option to subscribe for video content only

Storyblocks Pricing:

The Starter plan offers 5 media downloads for $180 USD annually or $30 per month

The Unlimited All Access plan includes all features for $360 annually or $65 per month

The Pro plan includes all features and a Premiere Pro Plugin for $420 annually or $70 per month

Who is Storyblocks for?

Storyblocks is a one-stop shop for affordable digital assets, providing an array of resources for video production companies, marketing companies, and individuals who produce a significant amount of content.

9. Dissolve

Dissolve is a stock footage company that offers an array of exclusive, cinematic videos and photos with the aim of authenticity. Created by professional filmmakers and content creators, these collections are available without the need for a subscription commitment. The company also boasts a collection of over 2 million clips to choose from.

Pros:

Large collection of premium and cinematic stock footage

Exclusive clips not found on other platforms

Non-subscription pricing options

They will research clips for you

Cons:

Relatively expensive compared to other platforms

Dissolve Pricing:

HD footage available for prices ranging from $29 USD to $499 USD

4K footage available for prices ranging from $49 USD to $549 USD

SD footage available for $29 USD when available

Majority of items priced between $29 USD and $79 USD, with discounts available for bulk purchases

Who is Dissolve for?

Dissolve is a resource for production companies and agencies offering a wide range of premium, cinematic footage for use in a variety of projects, including commercials, tv shows, documentaries, feature films, marketing campaigns.

10. iStock

iStock is another big player in the stock photo and video world and has been around for a long time. It’s reported that over 500 000 digital assets are added to their site each month. Similar to the other top stock sites they have a very large collection of high-quality videos to choose from.

Pros:

A very large and diverse collection of high-quality footage

Cons:

No difference in pricing between HD and 4k clips

iStockPhoto Pricing:

Individual clips from $60 USD - $170 USD

1, 2, 3, 4, and 10 clip credit packs for $60, $115, $170, $220, and $520

The lowest annual subscription plan gives you 10 clips a month for $1188.

The lowest no-commitment monthly subscription plan gives you 10 clips a month for $149.

Who is iStock for?

iStock is best for when you have a budget and are going to be buying high-quality video clips on a regular basis.

11. Videohive

Videohive, a part of Envato, offers a diverse collection of digital assets including stock footage, graphics templates, website themes, and more. What makes Videohive unique is its focus on affordability. In addition to standard stock footage, you'll find a wide range of budget-friendly video assets including backgrounds, overlays, and effects.

Pros:

A large collection of standard to high-quality video clips

Many Budget-friendly clips are available

Cons:

Not always the best quality

Videohive Pricing:

Pricing for the clips is set by their creators and can vary greatly, ranging from $5 USD to over $182 USD

Who is Videohive for?

Videohive is a good option to consider if you're looking to save money and only need a few clips.

Conclusion

We hope this article has been helpful in introducing you to some great options for stock video platforms. There are many options available, and the right choice will depend on your specific project and needs. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments below.

TLDR:

For high-quality clips:

• Shutterstock

• Adobe Stock

• iStock

For the best of the best:

• Film Supply

• Artgrid

• Dissolve

For budget options:

• Storyblocks

• Pond5

• Videohive

For free clips:

• Pixabay

• Pexels

For unlimited subscriptions:

• Storyblocks

• Artgrid