Dreamstime offers a variety of subscription options, including image subscriptions, Extended licenses, video, audio, and all-in-one subscriptions, as well as credit packages. While the pricing structure is diverse, some may argue that the quality of stock assets does not justify the cost, particularly when considering alternative platforms that provide superior content at similar price points.
- Read more: Dreamstime review
Overview of Dreamstime pricing
| Dreamstime plan | Monthly cost | Size | Best for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Image subscriptions | $25–$219 | 5–750 monthly downloads | Consistent image needs |
| Extended license subscriptions | $59–$11,500 | 2–500 monthly downloads | Consistent Extended license needs (merchandise) |
| Video subscriptions | $14.99–$1,188.99 | 1–25 monthly downloads (web, 720p, 1080p, 4K res.) | Consistent video needs |
| Audio subscriptions | $19.99–$99.99 | 1–10 monthly downloads | Consistent audio needs |
| All-in-one subscriptions | $199–$410 | 10 or 25 monthly downloads | Consistent image, video, and audio needs |
| Credit packages | $14.99–$1,750 | 3–550 credits | Occasional stock asset needs |
Should you pick subscriptions or credit packages?
Choosing between subscriptions and credit packages ultimately depends on your specific needs and usage patterns. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
- Frequency of use: If you require stock assets on a regular basis, a subscription plan is more cost-effective, as it provides a fixed number of downloads per month at a discounted rate. On the other hand, if your needs are sporadic or you only require a few assets occasionally, a credit package is more suitable, as it allows you to pay for only what you need.
- Budget: Dreamstime subscriptions require a monthly commitment (only one with annual), which may not be ideal if you have a limited budget. Credit packages offer more flexibility, as you can purchase them as needed without an ongoing financial obligation.
- Variety of assets: If you need access to a wide range of assets, including images, videos, and audio files, an all-in-one subscription are best. However, credit packages or individual subscriptions are better if your requirements are more specific, as they allow you to choose individual assets without paying for unnecessary extras.
- Expiration: Credit packages have a one-year expiration date, meaning that unused credits will be lost after that. Subscriptions, on the other hand, usually provide a fixed number of downloads per month, ensuring you get consistent access to assets without worrying about expiration.
Subscriptions
Dreamstime offers 7 subscription plans for licensing images, which vary in the number of monthly downloads they provide, ranging from 5 to 750. Although the larger plans are more expensive than the smaller ones, they come with a bulk discount that significantly reduces the price per image, with rates as low as $0.23. Six of these plans are available monthly, meaning you don’t have to commit to a contract, while the 12-month plan gives you a ~23% discount. Unfortunately, the annual offer is available only with the 750 monthly downloads subscription, while other sites, like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock, offer such discounts on all plans.
| Images/month | Price/month | Price/image |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $25 | $5.00 |
| 10 | $39 | $3.90 |
| 15 | $25 | $1.67 |
| 25 | $39 | $1.56 |
| 200 | $94.99 | $0.47 |
| 750 | $219 | $0.29 |
| 750 (prepaid) | $169 | $0.23 |
Dreamstime’s pricing structure features an unusual aspect where the monthly download plans for 5 and 15 images are priced the same at $25/mo, while the plans for 10 and 25 images are also the same at $39/mo. It is unclear whether this is an intentional marketing strategy or an oversight, but this pricing model has remained unchanged for over two years. Consequently, opting for the 5 or 15 images per month plans may not be worthwhile due to the similar pricing with the 10 and 25-image plans.
Dreamstime’s subscription costs are comparable to Shutterstock’s but with fewer options. Dreamstime’s subscription allows for downloading of images only, while Shutterstock offers a wider range of options, including images (photos, vectors, illustrations), videos, and audio tracks. Additionally, Shutterstock provides subscribers with more flexibility by offering monthly, annual, and annual prepaid subscription durations, as well as additional discounts. In contrast, Dreamstime’s subscription only provides a prepaid option for 750 monthly downloads.
Credit packages
Credit packages typically simplify pricing by allowing users to download any asset from the website without being bound to subscription contracts. Although credits generally cost more than subscriptions, they offer greater flexibility. However, Dreamstime’s credit packages are too confusing. We will first cover their pricing and then examine what you can obtain with them.
| Credits | Price | Price/credit |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | $10.49 | $0.95 |
| 15 | $12.59 | $0.84 |
| 30 | $24.49 | $0.82 |
| 60 | $48.29 | $0.81 |
| 120 | $87.49 | $0.73 |
| 260 | $175.00 | $0.67 |
| 500 | $329.00 | $0.66 |
| 1,000 | $630.00 | $0.63 |
| 2,000 | $1,232.00 | $0.616 |
Dreamstime photos don’t have a set price in credits. Instead, the price changes based on the photo’s size and how many times it’s been downloaded (shown by levels). which means the price can change unexpectedly. The price of a stock photo is determined by its level, which can range from 0 to 5, and is based on factors such as the photo’s age and the number of downloads. Stock photos can be purchased using credits, with prices ranging from 1 to 38 credits each ($0.62 to $36). Extended licenses may cost up to 50 credits. Using credits, you can also buy videos, costing $8.80 to $51.78 per video clip.
Dreamstime offers affordable options for purchasing credits in bulk and selecting low-level images. However, their high-end images are comparatively more expensive than those offered by other stock photo sites.
Extended license prices
Dreamstime stands out as one of the few major stock image sites that offer extended licenses with subscriptions at very affordable prices, starting from only $23 per extended license. This is notably lower compared to the prices of $67 at Shutterstock and $79 at Adobe Stock. You can get extended licenses with the following plans:
- 2 monthly downloads: $59 ($29.50/item)
- 5 monthly downloads: $137 ($27.40/item)
- 25 monthly downloads: $659 ($26.36/item)
- 100 monthly downloads: $2,500 ($25.00/item)
- 500 monthly downloads: $11,500 ($23.00/item)
Video subscriptions
Video subscriptions come in four monthly sizes and four video resolutions, thus giving you sixteen options. This already adds a level of complexity, since you have to decide both how many videos you need and what quality you need. It’s also very incovenient if your requirements vary. Check our list of the best stock videos sites for best alternatives.
| Monthly downloads | Web | 720p | 1080p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15 ($15/video) | $40 ($40/video) | $45 ($45/video) | $50 ($50/video) |
| 5 | $40 ($8/video) | $121 ($24.2/video) | $148 ($29.6/video) | $239 ($47.8/video) |
| 10 | $72 ($7.2/video) | $225 ($22.5/video) | $280 ($28/video) | $450 ($45/video) |
| 25 | $170 ($6.8/video) | $444 ($17.76/video) | $534 ($21.36/video) | $1,070 ($42.8/video) |
- Subscriptions: $6.12–$50/video clip. The subscriptions come in multiple sizes (1, 5, 10, and 25 monthly downloads) and four resolutions (web, 720, 1080, and 4K). You get the lowest price per video with the largest plan (25/month) when for the “web” quality of the video.
- Credit packages: $8.80–$51.78/video clip. To buy videos with credits, you first need to buy a credit package. These come in sizes from 11 to 2000; the larger the plan, the more credits you get per dollar spent. You can then use credits to buy anything on Dreamstime.
- All-in-One subscriptions: $14.76–$17.90/video clip.
Extended licenses
We discussed the pricing of royalty-free content above, including stock images, videos, and audio, but extended licenses cost significantly more. That’s mainly because they give you more usage rights, but more on that in the section about licenses.
| Extended license type | Images | Videos | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Seats | 50 credits | 200 credits | 200 credits |
| Web Usage | 50 credits | 200 credits | 200 credits |
| Print Usage | 50 credits | – | – |
| Extended License Subscription | from $23.00 | – | – |
| 1 Year Exclusivity | from $62.5 | from $250 | from $250 |
| 3 Year Exclusivity | from $150 | from $600 | from $600 |
| Sell the rights | from $250 | from $1,000 | from $1,000 |
| Universal Royalty-Free | from $500 | – | – |
| Universal Extended License | from $1,000 | – | – |
What can you get with credits?
With credits on Dreamstime, you can purchase various stock assets, including photos, videos, and audio files. The price of a stock photo depends on its level, ranging from 0 to 5, which is determined by factors such as age and the number of downloads. Prices for stock photos range from 1 to 38 credits each ($0.62 to $36). Extended licenses may cost up to 50 credits. Videos can also be bought using credits, with prices varying from $8.80 to $51.78 per video clip.
While Dreamstime provides affordable options for purchasing credits in bulk and choosing low-level images, their high-end images can be more expensive compared to other stock photo websites.
The table below displays the costs for various Extended license types:
| Extended License Type | Images | Videos | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Seats | 50 | 200 | 200 |
| Web Usage | 50 | 200 | 200 |
| Print Usage | 50 | – | – |
| Extended License Subscription | from $23 | – | – |
| 1 Year Exclusivity | from $62.5 | from $250 | from $250 |
| 3 Year Exclusivity | from $150 | from $600 | from $600 |
| Sell the rights | from $250 | from $1,000 | from $1,000 |
| Universal Royalty-Free | from $500 | – | – |
| Universal Extended License | from $1,000 | – | – |
Hidden fees and costs
1. Local taxes
Local taxes, such as sales tax or value-added tax (VAT), can add to the final cost of your purchase. Depending on your location and local tax laws, these taxes might be applicable and automatically added to your order total during the checkout process. Ensure you review the final price before confirming your purchase, as the displayed prices may not include these additional charges.
2. Extended license for broader use
Dreamstime and other stock photo platforms typically offer standard licenses with their subscription plans or credit packages, which cover a range of common use cases. However, if you require broader usage rights, such as for larger print runs, using the content on merchandise, or other specific purposes, you may need to purchase an extended license.
Extended licenses usually come at an additional cost, separate from your subscription or credit package. Be sure to review the licensing terms carefully to determine if your intended usage requires an extended license and factor this additional expense into your budget.
How does Dreamstime pricing compare?
When it comes to stock assets, pricing is an important factor to consider. Let’s take a look at how Dreamstime’s pricing stacks up against some of the more well-known stock photo sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Envato Elements.
Dreamstime offers similar prices to other leading stock photo sites, such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. However, the latter two platforms are known for their superior quality and variety of assets. This means that while Dreamstime’s pricing may be on par with these popular sites, the overall value might not be as high due to the difference in quality and selection.
In addition to the more popular stock photo platforms, more affordable options offer the same or even better quality assets. One such example is Envato Elements. This platform provides unlimited downloads, making it an attractive option for those looking to maximize their investment in stock assets. With a vast library of high-quality images, videos, and other creative resources, Envato Elements has become a go-to choice for many designers and content creators.
