Shutterstock started as a stock photo and video marketplace and has since built an AI image generator directly into the same platform. That means a single account gives you access to more than 100 million licensed photos, illustrations, and clips, plus tools to generate brand-new images from a text prompt when nothing in the library fits. It is built for marketers, designers, and content teams who need visuals fast and want the licensing question already settled.
What does Shutterstock AI do?
The AI side of Shutterstock lets you type a text prompt and generate images using a choice of underlying models, including Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash and Imagen 4 Ultra, OpenAI's GPT Image 2, and Runway's Gen-4. You can pick a style, such as oil painting or motion blur, set an aspect ratio, and use Prompt Enrichment to have the AI expand a short prompt into a more detailed one before generating.
Beyond generation, Shutterstock's AI tools include a Magic Brush for editing part of an image by describing what to add or remove, an Expand Image tool for extending an image beyond its original borders, a Variations tool for generating alternate takes on an existing image, and a Background Remover. Every AI-generated image downloaded through the platform comes with a Standard License.
Core features
- A stock library of more than 100 million photos, illustrations, vectors, video clips, and music tracks.
- An AI image generator with a model selector covering Gemini 3.1 Flash, Imagen 4 Ultra, GPT Image 2, and Runway Gen-4.
- Prompt Enrichment, which rewrites a short prompt into a more detailed one to improve results.
- Magic Brush for editing specific parts of an image by brushing over an area and describing the change.
- Expand Image and Variations tools for extending or remixing an existing photo or generated image.
- An AI video generator that turns text descriptions or reference images into short video clips.
- A Design Assistant chat tool that offers creative guidance while you build out an image.
Use cases
Marketing and creative teams use Shutterstock when they need a mix of licensed real-world photography and custom AI visuals inside one workflow, rather than juggling a stock site and a separate AI generator. It also removes the licensing uncertainty that comes with some AI image tools, since generated images ship with a Standard License.
- Building ad creative or social content that blends stock photography with AI-generated backgrounds.
- Generating original hero images for a blog or website when stock photos feel generic.
- Producing quick storyboard or concept visuals before commissioning real photography.
- Extending or resizing an existing image to fit a new ad format using Expand Image.
Pricing
Shutterstock sells image-only download subscriptions starting at $25 per month billed yearly for 10 downloads a month, scaling up for higher monthly limits. Its Unlimited Images plan starts at $29 per month billed yearly and includes unlimited image downloads from its 83-million-plus image library plus 50 AI generation credits a month. The Unlimited Plus plan starts at $69 per month billed yearly, adds unlimited downloads across images, video, and music, and includes 100 AI generation credits a month. One-off image packs are also available from $29 for a set number of downloads with no subscription, and Shutterstock offers custom Team and Enterprise pricing.
How to use Shutterstock AI
- Go to shutterstock.com and create an account, or log in if you already have one.
- To use the AI generator, go to the Generate tab, type a prompt, and pick a style and aspect ratio.
- Choose which AI model to use, such as GPT Image 2 or Imagen 4 Ultra, based on the look you want.
- Use Prompt Enrichment if you want the AI to expand and sharpen your prompt before generating.
- Refine the result with Magic Brush, Expand Image, or Variations if the first output is not quite right.
- Download the final image under its included Standard License, or subscribe to a plan for ongoing access.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Shutterstock's AI-generated images commercially?
Yes. AI-generated images downloaded through Shutterstock come with a Standard License for commercial and digital use, the same licensing structure applied to its regular stock photos.
Which AI models power Shutterstock's image generator?
Shutterstock lets you choose between multiple models, including Google's Gemini 3.1 Flash and Imagen 4 Ultra, OpenAI's GPT Image 2, and Runway's Gen-4, each suited to different styles.
Do I need a subscription to try the AI generator?
No. Shutterstock offers a couple of free image generations to try the tool before committing to a plan such as Unlimited Images or Unlimited Plus.
Does Shutterstock offer video as well as images?
Yes. Alongside its stock video library, Shutterstock has an AI video generator that turns text prompts or reference images into short video clips.
Learn more at Shutterstock AI.