Last updated: October 22, 2026. Prices and offers checked on shutterstock.com.
Quick answer: Shutterstock accepts coupon codes at checkout, but it does not publish public codes. Its official coupons page says exclusive codes and offers are sent by email to account holders who opt in. The most reliable way to save is yearly billing: 10 images a month costs $25/month billed yearly instead of $45/month with no contract, and Unlimited Plus drops from $199 to $69 a month. Shutterstock no longer offers its old 10-free-images trial.
Stock photos, video and music are a big part of most design budgets. This guide explains how Shutterstock coupon codes work, what Shutterstock costs right now and the legitimate ways to pay less. If you are still choosing a library, compare Shutterstock vs Adobe Stock first, and remember that you can’t use stock photos without permission, so a proper licence matters.
Shutterstock Coupon Codes: What’s Available Right Now
We checked Shutterstock’s official offers on October 22, 2026. Here is what we found:
- Codes come by email: Shutterstock’s coupons page says the best offers are delivered to your inbox. Create an account and opt in to emails to receive exclusive coupon codes, special offers and a free image of the week.
- One coupon box at checkout: codes go in the “Do you have a coupon code?” box, and some codes only apply to certain plans.
- No free trial: the old trial that included 10 free images is no longer offered, and Shutterstock’s pricing pages do not mention a trial.
- No student or nonprofit discount: Shutterstock does not publish one.
Be careful with coupon sites that promise 40% or 50% off. We could not find any such code on Shutterstock’s own pages, and expired or fake codes are common.
The Best Shutterstock Deals Right Now
Pay Yearly Instead of Month to Month
Yearly billing is the biggest saving Shutterstock offers. The 10-images-a-month plan costs $25/month billed yearly versus $45/month with no contract (44% less), and Unlimited Plus costs $69/month billed yearly versus $199/month (65% less). Only commit to a year if you are sure you will use it.
Buy an Image Pack for One-Off Projects
If you only need a handful of images, an on-demand pack is cheaper than a subscription: $29 for 2 images, $49 for 5 or $229 for 25, with no ongoing commitment.
Choose Unlimited Plus if You Need Video and Music
Unlimited Plus covers images, video, music and sound effects in one plan. At $69/month billed yearly, it costs less than paying for separate image and video plans if you use both.
Use Unlimited Images for High-Volume Image Work
If you download more than 10 images a month, Unlimited Images ($29/month billed yearly) costs only $4 more than the 10-image plan and removes the download cap.
How to Apply Your Shutterstock Coupon Code?
Using a Shutterstock coupon code is a straightforward process. Here’s a simple guide to help you apply your discount code at checkout.
- Step 1: Choose Your Shutterstock Plan (Images, Video, Or Music) – First, you need to decide which Shutterstock plan is right for you. They offer various subscription plans for images, video, and music. You can choose from on-demand packs or monthly and annual subscriptions. Select the plan that best suits your needs and add it to your cart.
- Step 2: Proceed to the Checkout Page – Once you have selected your plan, click on the “Buy Now” button to go to the checkout page. Here you will be asked to either log in to your existing Shutterstock account or create a new one.
- Step 3: Locate the “Do you have a coupon code?” Box – On the checkout page, you will see a summary of your order. Look for a box that says, “Do you have a coupon code?“. This is where you will enter your promo code.
- Step 4: Enter Your Code and Click “Apply” to See the Discount – Type or paste your Shutterstock coupon into the box and click the “Apply” button. The discount will be applied to your order total, and you will see the new, lower price. Then you just need to enter your payment method to complete the purchase.
Understanding Shutterstock Pricing & Plans
Shutterstock sells subscriptions and on-demand packs. These are the prices for one user on shutterstock.com/pricing, checked October 22, 2026 (US dollars, taxes may apply):
| Plan | What you get | Billed yearly | No contract (cancel anytime) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image downloads, 10/month | Standard images, single seat | $25/month ($300/year) | $45/month |
| Image downloads, 50/month | Standard images, single seat | $75/month ($900/year) | $149/month |
| Image downloads, 350/month | Standard images, single seat | $129/month ($1,548/year) | $255/month |
| Image downloads, 750/month | Standard images, single seat | $149/month ($1,788/year) | $299/month |
| Unlimited Images | Unlimited image downloads plus 50 AI credits a month | $29/month ($348/year) | $59/month |
| Unlimited Plus | Unlimited images, video, music and sound effects plus 100 AI credits a month | $69/month ($828/year) | $199/month |
| Image packs | 2, 5 or 25 downloads, no subscription | $29, $49 or $229 | Same |
Licences: downloads come with a Standard licence, which covers digital use, up to 500,000 printed copies and video productions with budgets up to $10,000. The Enhanced licence adds unlimited print runs, merchandise and digital templates for sale.
Teams and Enterprise: team plans are priced on request and let you add or remove up to 10 members.
More Ways to Save At Shutterstock Without A Code
Even without a discount code, you can lower what you pay:
- Pay yearly: yearly billing cuts most plans by roughly 40% to 65% compared with no-contract pricing.
- Match the plan to your volume: if you need fewer than 5 images, a pack ($29 for 2, $49 for 5) beats a subscription.
- Sign up for Shutterstock emails: this is where Shutterstock says it sends exclusive coupon codes and special offers.
- Compare other libraries: a Getty Images coupon or one of these Shutterstock alternatives may suit your budget or style better.
FAQ’s:
Does Shutterstock Have a Free Trial in 2026?
No. Shutterstock no longer offers its old free trial with 10 free images, and its pricing pages do not mention a trial. Account holders who opt in to emails can receive a free image of the week.
Does Shutterstock Offer a Student Discount?
No. Shutterstock does not publish a student, education or nonprofit discount. Students can save by choosing yearly billing or an image pack.
Is There a Shutterstock Coupon for Existing Users?
Sometimes. Shutterstock says it sends exclusive coupon codes and offers by email, so existing customers should check that they are opted in to Shutterstock emails before renewing.
Can I Use More Than One Coupon on a Single Shutterstock Order?
Plan on one code per order. Checkout has a single “Do you have a coupon code?” field, and some codes only work on certain plans.
What Is the Best Discount You Can Get at Shutterstock?
The biggest saving is yearly billing, which takes Unlimited Plus from $199 to $69 a month and the 10-image plan from $45 to $25 a month. Any emailed coupon code would come on top of the plan you choose.
Conclusion
Shutterstock is still one of the largest stock libraries for photos, illustrations, vectors, video and music. In 2026 there is no free trial and no public coupon list, so the smartest way to save is to pick the right plan: yearly billing if you use it every month, an image pack for one-off projects and Unlimited Plus if you need video and music too. If you are a photographer yourself, you can also learn how to sell photos to stock websites.
