Alamy vs Getty Images: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Alamy is built for editorial-imagery, while Getty Images suits editorial-news. For most users Alamy is the stronger default, but Getty Images can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Alamy has the lower entry price.
Alamy and Getty Images look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Alamy | Getty Images | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Stock Marketplace | Stock Marketplace |
| What it's known for | Huge independent and editorial-heavy library that pays contributors a high royalty share and accepts a very wide range of imagery without exclusivity. | Premium and exclusive editorial, news and rights-managed content trusted by publishers and brands, with the deepest archive of newsworthy and celebrity imagery. |
| Pricing | Per-image rights-managed and royalty-free licensing; quote-based for some uses | Premium access and Ultrapacks; pricing quote-based and generally higher than iStock |
| Best audience | Editorial buyers, publishers and contributors seeking diverse imagery and high payouts. | Publishers, newsrooms and brands needing premium editorial, rights-managed or exclusive imagery. |
| Best for | editorial-imagery, contributors | editorial-news, premium-imagery |
| Entry price | $19.99-$199.99 | ~$199-$249/mo |
| Biggest strength | Deep editorial and independent imagery not found elsewhere. | Unrivalled editorial, news and exclusive premium imagery. |
| Main caveat | Per-image pricing can be high for RM uses. | Among the most expensive stock sources; much is quote-based. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Alamy key features
- Large independent, editorial-heavy library (300M+ assets)
- Both royalty-free and rights-managed licensing
- Wide acceptance of imagery with no contributor exclusivity
- High contributor royalty share (up to 50% for exclusive)
Getty Images key features
- Premium editorial, news and rights-managed content
- Deepest archive of newsworthy, celebrity and historical imagery
- Premium Access annual capped-download agreements for teams
- Ultrapacks for downloads that never expire
Pricing tiers side by side
Alamy plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Rights-managed | $19.99-$199.99 | Priced by usage details |
| Royalty-free | $49-$365 | Priced by image size |
Getty Images plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (basic) | ~$199-$249/mo | Limited downloads of creative content |
| Premium tiers | $499+/mo | Higher download limits, expanded library |
| Ultrapacks | $499/download (single) | Best bulk ~$300/download in 15-pack; never expire |
| Premium Access | annual quote | Capped annual team agreement, no daily/monthly caps |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Alamy wins
A huge independent, editorial-leaning library that pays contributors an unusually high royalty share.
- Deep editorial and independent imagery not found elsewhere.
- High contributor payouts attract diverse content.
That makes it the stronger pick for editorial buyers, publishers and contributors seeking diverse imagery and high payouts.
Where Getty Images wins
The premium archive for editorial, news and exclusive imagery trusted by publishers and brands.
- Unrivalled editorial, news and exclusive premium imagery.
- Premium Access removes daily/monthly download caps for teams.
That makes it the stronger pick for publishers, newsrooms and brands needing premium editorial, rights-managed or exclusive imagery.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Alamy if you fit its core audience — editorial buyers, publishers and contributors seeking diverse imagery and high payouts.
- Choose Getty Images if you fit its core audience — publishers, newsrooms and brands needing premium editorial, rights-managed or exclusive imagery.
FAQ
Is Alamy better than Getty Images?
Alamy is the stronger default for most users, but Getty Images can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Alamy and Getty Images?
Alamy is a huge independent, editorial-leaning library that pays contributors an unusually high royalty share. Getty Images is the premium archive for editorial, news and exclusive imagery trusted by publishers and brands.
Which is cheaper, Alamy or Getty Images?
Entry pricing differs: Alamy starts at $19.99-$199.99, while Getty Images starts at ~$199-$249/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Alamy and Getty Images: