17 Jun 2007 Complete List of Microstock Agencies
For as long as I’ve been observing the microstock market there’s always been a lot of microstock agencies. New sites open all the time while others close or just fade away. This is a maintained list of ‘serious’ microstock agencies.
For the purpose of this list I’m defining a ‘microstock agency’ as:
- Crowdsourced (accepting submissions from the public)
- Selling photos online only
- Selling photos at micropayment prices
Important – Remember, this is the Internet, so be careful about where you supply your personal information and images. I have not listed agencies where I know of dishonest activity, but I haven’t checked them all.
The quantity of agencies in this list (32 active) demonstrates nothing if not that a lot of people believe there’s money to be made running a microstock agency. I don’t expect many of these agencies are profitable themselves, and it’s even less likely that many of them are profitable for contributors.
Are there any that I’ve missed? Add them in the comments and I’ll include them in the list.
List last updated 2013-04-10
Gribbler Stubbs
Posted at 13:47h, 19 JunePerhaps you could segment these by tier? Which do you use?
Lee Torrens
Posted at 13:54h, 19 JuneHey Gribbler, thanks for your comment. Take a look at my comparisons posts and you’ll find lots of ways to separate them. Any of my earnings posts will show you which ones I use.
– Lee
Jifarnis Gwibson
Posted at 21:45h, 20 JuneI see that you’re making pretty good money off of Dreamstime. I signed up with all the microstock co. that you were making decent money off of–thanks for the tip.
However, Dreamstime doesn’t seem to have a ftp bulk upload system. Also, I haven’t found out a way to see my files pending review. Am I missing something?
Anyhow, thanks for putting up this website. I wish I had seen it 3 years ago when the microstock industry just started taking off. But, never too late to get started, right? It just seems that most of the good ideas have already been taken by amateurs who have greatly increased their skills, while I’m just a daft amateur without many ideas.
Lee Torrens
Posted at 21:50h, 20 JuneThe Dreamstime FTP details are available via the Management Area – top-left icon in the “Contributors Area”.
“Pending Files” is also in the same location.
Correct! It’s never too late. And there’s never a shortage of ideas! Stick at it for as long as you’re having fun. Thanks for your kind words, and Good luck!
Jifarnis Gwibson
Posted at 21:55h, 20 JuneI just found the Dreamstime ftp page. Sorry bout that.
Fotolia V2 has been down for a few days. Sux.
Janis
Posted at 00:58h, 21 JuneV2 does seem to taking awfully long to come on line. Have any off you sold anything during this downtime?
Lee Torrens
Posted at 06:46h, 21 JuneFotolia has been working fine for a few days for me, and yes, I’ve had sales. If you’re still getting the holding page, try holding the Shift key while refreshing.
laurent
Posted at 07:35h, 21 JunePersonally i got few sales just after V2 but it is very quiet now I am a bit worry about the consequences this update will have on Fotolia though…
Janis
Posted at 10:36h, 21 JuneI got zip. And this really ticks me off b/c right before the V2 update my views had increased 10x and sales 2x. Now I’m back to ground zero. Very unprofessional these people.
Slobodan Rickis
Posted at 19:02h, 21 Junefunny you no get sale. i no keyword but still sale ok. just in there hang.
Karin
Posted at 03:44h, 04 AugustMight want to remove Galastock until they can prove they aren’t shady. Earlier this year one of their employees was caught selling photos submitted to GS at other micros. TalkMicro and Microstock Group both have threads where you can read up on the incident.
george flopos
Posted at 07:27h, 16 Septemberyou forgot Zymmetrical. thanks
Lee Torrens
Posted at 10:15h, 16 SeptemberThanks George, I’ve added Zymmetrical to the list.
-Lee
Emanul Gery
Posted at 19:08h, 12 NovemberI buy photos on dreamstime but now i know new microstock pixmac.cz isnt bad very good number of pictures and prizes are great. So try that and dreamstime too. 😉
Lee Torrens
Posted at 20:49h, 05 MarchList maintenance:
Removed CheapStockPhotos – diagnosed as suspicious by Google Safe Browsing.
Added Cutcaster
Removed GreatStockPhoto – website gone
Added Pixmac
Removed ShutterShots – website gone
Lee Torrens
Posted at 05:05h, 14 JulyList maintenance:
Added Veer Marketplace
Added Pixamba
Frank
Posted at 08:53h, 17 AugustHow about Clustershot? Only 12% commission!
Lee Torrens
Posted at 22:00h, 18 AugustThanks Frank, I’ve had a good look at Clustershot and don’t consider them a “microstock agency” with their current model. Additionally, without solid legal agreements or a review process to ensure buyers don’t get into trouble, I don’t think it’s safe to label them as such.
-Lee
Emma McLellan
Posted at 09:23h, 05 OctoberYou missed out Polylooks! 🙂 Established in 2009.
Lee Torrens
Posted at 12:38h, 05 OctoberThanks Emma. I’ve mentioned Polylooks a few times in my news summaries so I don’t know why I didn’t add them. I’ve added them now.
-Lee
Lee Torrens
Posted at 20:25h, 01 DecemberUpdated to reflect the closure of ImageCatalog. Thanks to NiagraGirl for the heads up.
Yakov
Posted at 07:48h, 12 FebruaryA newcomer that may be worth checking out: http://www.kosherstock.com is microstock focusing on Judaism and the Holy Land (images of the Jewish culture and religion as well as pictures of Israel).
Vitezslav Valka
Posted at 13:35h, 07 MarchLee, add Snapixel review here please 🙂
Vitezslav Valka
Posted at 18:10h, 01 AprilHey Lee, Fotomind is closing on 15th April. Sad news.
Lee Torrens
Posted at 16:13h, 02 AprilThanks Vita, I updated the list.
Pablo Blanes
Posted at 07:36h, 19 AprilHi Lee,
Can you add Photaki.com in your list, please? It´s a new microstock.
Congratulations for your blog 😉
Pablo Blanes
Lee Torrens
Posted at 00:44h, 02 MarchHi Pablo, finally added. Thanks.
-Lee
Margo
Posted at 00:10h, 05 Maykeyimagery.com is a New Zealand based agency not on your list
Taina
Posted at 10:53h, 21 JuneHi Lee, what do you think of DepositPhotos.com?
http://depositphotos.com/
Great blog! 🙂
Lee Torrens
Posted at 10:37h, 27 DecemberHi Taina, finally got my Depositphotos review online: Depositphotos review
jnicklin
Posted at 17:49h, 12 AugustDo you have any info on Alamy?
Lee Torrens
Posted at 18:37h, 12 AugustNo, not much. There’s a few articles which look at Alamy, but they’re all quite dated now. Use the search field at the top of each page to find them.
-Lee
Lee Torrens
Posted at 11:57h, 30 SeptemberUpdated to reflect the announced closure of Polylooks.
Van
Posted at 23:39h, 09 OctoberI don’t know if you mind listing a somewhat provocative niched microstock website but http://www.adultstockphoto.com seems to be responding to a need, albeit its taboo connotations.
Yenty Jap
Posted at 04:34h, 20 OctoberHi, Could you do a review on deposit photos?
Thanks
Lee Torrens
Posted at 10:38h, 27 DecemberDone and added to the list, thanks.
Davide
Posted at 18:35h, 25 NovemberAnother stock agency: http://www.photostockup.com
Microstock Maturity by Pixmac | Pixmac blog
Posted at 06:17h, 03 January[…] is as successful as Pixmac since those old fellas launched in 2005 or earlier. As you can see on Microstock Diaries at least 10 microstock Agencies have closed in the last two […]
AJL
Posted at 11:27h, 22 MarchHello, great list and I’ve followed you over at Twitter. http://stockfuel.com has been around since 2009, if you would kindly add it to the list.
@stockfuel
Thanks,
AJL
busja
Posted at 03:10h, 27 MayI am sorry, in order to add Stockfuel, it is necessary that he answered letters contributors.
busja
Posted at 03:33h, 27 MayI think that should be added http://www.photospin.com/
Jeff.G
Posted at 04:29h, 31 MayHello
Do you know the French based site Xilopix ? http://us.xilopix.com/
How would you rate it ?
Thanks
Jeff (from France)
Motaz
Posted at 02:55h, 09 JulyNice reviews, what about this one:
http://www.photosearch.com
Thank you 🙂
Lee Torrens
Posted at 03:18h, 09 JulyPhotosearch isn’t a microstock agency.
Lee Torrens
Posted at 18:29h, 21 NovemberAdded PhotoDune
Dennis Holmes
Posted at 03:29h, 24 NovemberYou should add http://clipartof.com – graphics only
If you think your good enough. contact me
Lee Torrens
Posted at 14:08h, 12 DecemberAdded Photokore to the list.
Rey Borlaza
Posted at 09:49h, 25 DecemberPlease issue your review of Photokore. thanks and good tidings
P/B
Posted at 15:34h, 02 MarchTwo additional agencies I didn’t found on your list:
Clipdealer (http://www.clipdealer.com)
PhotoXpress (http://www.photoxpress.com/)
And please continue with great site
Lee Torrens
Posted at 18:00h, 02 MarchHi Peter, Clipdealer is a video agency and so far I haven’t been adding those that don’t take photos directly. PhotoXpress is part of Fotolia, and not a microstock agency that people can submit to directly.
Claudio
Posted at 17:16h, 08 MarchHi Lee, despite their name Clipdealer accepts photos as well now. I know because I uploaded a few thousand photos there.
Jewish Pictures
Posted at 16:12h, 06 MarchDatabase of Jewish Pictures
Nabeel
Posted at 16:35h, 07 JuneHi,
New one here! http://www.illustrationsstock.com
zkx99
Posted at 06:24h, 19 MarchSadly, gimme stock is gone. I had some photos on that one. They were nice. Wish they had told me they were going away.
Lee Torrens
Posted at 08:19h, 10 AprilThanks. I updated the list.
An Overview of Microstock Agencies | photoggin.com
Posted at 08:36h, 31 March[…] for more? Extra full lists of microstock agencies can be found at Microstock Diaries and Microstock […]
Thomas Mueller
Posted at 03:33h, 21 AugustHi there,
We want to introduce you to a new microstock agency.
stockmaxx has been online – the microstock agency for license-free photographs, illustrations and vector graphics, at low prices and with a huge selection of over 4 million images.
The time has now come for a new agency – stockmaxx – THE resource for all those looking for images.
It would be great if you could add them to your list.
Regards
Thomas
Jesse Kunerth
Posted at 21:25h, 02 JuneI submit to about 10 and the best ones are Shutterstock and Istock by far.
John Mailer
Posted at 03:04h, 03 JuneAnd what about Canva 🙂
Arti
Posted at 01:28h, 30 JuneWhat about Stocksy? I’ve seen some banners arrond the net, or lately in one article: https://fstoppers.com/business/heres-what-it-takes-become-professional-travel-photographer-72114. Thx.
John C
Posted at 06:59h, 23 JulyHi can you tell Me about Ultimate Stock?
Alex J
Posted at 18:40h, 29 SeptemberHi, my experience with low profit microstocks is not really good. Seems there is no sense to spend my time on them. There are just 7 Agencies that I work with, they are described in my blog. However, selling media is my hobby, so maybe serious stockers have better experience?
David Zydd
Posted at 18:11h, 03 NovemberIf you can upload your images to smaller agencies in practically no time and no extra work, they worth it.
Helen K
Posted at 18:59h, 02 FebruaryCould you add stockafe.com?
Wolfgang
Posted at 02:25h, 12 Augustsmall one:
http://www.indivstock.com