Quick answer: The iStock free trial is no longer available.
In January 2022, iStock introduced a free trial for new customers but removed it three years later in June 2025. The trial allowed you to get the first month of the Basic or Signature subscription free, depending on your location.
Even though iStock no longer offers a trial, you can still download 3 videos from iStock for free. Every month, you can get three videos from their Signature collection. The downside is that iStock selects the videos, not you.
iStock free trial alternatives
With the iStock free trial gone, there are still a few other stock image free trials you can get (for now). Most trials let you download 10 images, but there are also a few that let you get lots more.
| Free trial | You get | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| iStock | 10 photos | 30 days |
| Depositphotos | 10 photos | 7 days |
| Adobe Stock | 25 photos or 3 videos | 30 days |
| Shutterstock | 3 photos per month | Free forever |
| Envato Elements | 12 files per month | Free forever |
| 123RF | Unlimited downloads | 7 days |
| Artlist | Unlimited downloads | 2 months |
| Motion Array | Unlimited downloads | 2 months |
iStock free trial: FAQs
What was the iStock free trial?
iStock free trial was a special offer for new iStock customers that allowed you to get the first month of an iStock subscription plan free of charge. The free trial offer differed based on your location. US customers got the first month of the Premium subscription, while the rest of the world got a free month of the Basic subscription.
How long was the iStock free trial?
The duration of the iStock free trial depended on the number of days in the month in which you began a free trial. For example, if you began in February, your free trial was 28 days, and if you began in October, your free trial was 31 days. The free trial would always end on the same date, one month later, as you signed up. For instance, if you began on February 4th, your free trial will end on March 4th.
Related reading:
- The best stock photo free trials
- iStock pricing
- How to download free iStock videos
- iStock promo code (20% off)
- The best stock footage free trials
This article was originally published in March 2023. The most recent full update was in June 2025 because iStock ended its trial.
