Istockphoto Reviews 

Cancelled my free trial only to still get charged. Contacted the company and they were basically "too bad, so sad".

As I have proof that I visited the site for login etc on those days I'm just going to dispute with my bank.

Do not give these people your payment information.

iStock is the most unethical and scammy company I’ve ever dealt with. I’ve used them in the past without issues, but after this experience, I will never use them again. They refuse to correct their own mistakes, hide behind policies, and essentially steal from consumers. Their lack of accountability is shocking, and I strongly advise others to stay away.

There trial is not worth it. I forgot I had a trail with !Stock until they charged me for a year’s subscription. I changed directions in my online business and no longer needed any photos. I contacted them immediately. I asked for a refund and to cancel the membership. Instead of letting me know that I could not get a refund due to their policy and give the opportunity to keep my subscription available, they sent me legal, aggressive email. It sent me the policy and that I knew what I was signing up for. Then, they proceeded to inform me that they cancelled my subscription right away upon my request and that I no longer have access to any past downloads (I downloaded 2 photos when I signup for the free trial). I emailed explaining that I understand the refund policy but since I paid for the year, can I have access to my subscription. They said no, because I requested to cancel and they don’t undo cancellations. I responded that they were just basically stealing my money without providing the service I paid for. They responded, coldly, with no thought of customer service, that I only paid for one month. I checked my account, they lied, I paid for the year. This is a terrible business. They will take your money without providing any service and be rude even if you are not. They don’t care about customer service and I’m disappointed that companies like this are in business and seem to thrive.

This is a fraudulent company. I called to ask what subscription I should take out as I didn't know for how long I needed the subscription and only wanted a limited amount of photo for 1-3 months. I was advised I should take out annual subscription and can cancel anytime by clicking on auto-renew. Now they have charged me for 2nd month even though I don't need photos saying auto-renew cancellation is only after annual subscription expires and does not apply to monthly payments. Have asked them to check the transcript of conversation I had with them. Really bad company. Am surprised as I have used them for 20 years on and off and have never had this experience before.

I applied twice to iStock by Getty Images as a contributor, and both times I was rejected with the same vague, unhelpful message. I submitted 2 high-quality photos and 3 well-made vector illustrations—content that performs well on other platforms. But iStock gives no explanation, no feedback, and no second glance. Just a cold “not approved” email from a no-reply address.

It’s frustrating and discouraging. How are artists supposed to grow if you don’t even say why the work isn’t accepted? Their contributor process feels toxic and dismissive, especially compared to platforms like Adobe Stock or Shutterstock that actually support their creators.

If you’re a creative thinking about joining iStock—don’t bother. There are better places that respect your time and effort.

Wow, I have to say that after years of faithfully being a subscribed member, and advising Istock that a second account was opened in error, they are both unwilling and rude in their approach to finding a solution. The 'computer says no' is their only response and after looking through their reviews and dealing with poorly trained agents twice over the past few months, we will take our business elsewhere.

I am unhappy with the customer service and website. It is misleading and I should have checked reviews before subscribing to a free trial!

After one month, you're locked into paying for the full year if you don't cancel the membership on time. Other companies allow you to cancel subscriptions and get a refund is this mistake occurs, but not istock! They have terrible service and make their website difficult to navigate if you want to cancel.

Do not do a trial with istock. I find them so unproessional, rude, greedy and awful to deal with. They are so sneaky with their trial, and then lock you in FOR ONE YEAR to pay almost $100 each month. I have tried to cancel twice now, and I was communicating with the rudest team member asking to stop my membership, and they told me I had to pay an $85 admin fee to cancel it. Firstly, an admin fee of $85 is ridiculous!! I agreed just so I can cancel it, and now have been charged AGAIN this month. Do your self a favour and DO NOT use istock. They're not even worth it anyway, and then they are greedy and lock you into bogus contracts.

I just had a terrible experience with your support team. Somehow if you buy the 750 download package they will automatically lock your account and wait for you to ask for support, then they will not solve your problem but instead interrogate their customers about why they bought that package. What a terrible idiot, stay away from this service.

Really unhappy with the service and the product. Wish I'd checked trustpilot before subscribing!

Really infuriating that after one month, you're locked into paying for the full year. I did not know that, now I'm a couple of 100 euros down! Other companies allow you to cancel subscriptions whenever you decide you no longer want or need it, but not istock!!

Now with AI image generation, I guess companies like istock will soon be obsolete anyway!

It was AWFUL. Do not purchase this. The customer service is horrific and if you want to cancel you have to pay a ridiculous fee!!

Horrible customer service. It’s the condescending tone that can be felt even through the email. No empathy or people skills.

I don’t typically write reviews, but the incredibly poor and condescending customer service I experienced compelled me to.

Like many others, I signed up for their free trial. I was confident I had cancelled before the trial ended, yet I was still charged $70 and locked into their annual subscription. When I contacted customer support to explain the situation and request a cancellation and refund, I was met with a dismissive and patronizing response. As another reviewer put it, they treated me as if I were incompetent. They outright refused to issue a refund and they claimed I should have received an email reminder two days prior to the renewal — which I NEVER did.

This company operates in bad faith working to trap customers. The number of people reporting the same issue with their trial period should be a clear red flag. I regret not checking the reviews beforehand. That’s on me. But when this many customers have the same complaint, maybe it’s time the company stops being rude to its users and starts taking responsibility for its shady practices.

They are just incredibly rude. I didn’t ask for a refund just a cancellation and they went on to email me like I was 5 and incompetent. I get it, they are not fans of the way that their free trial period has confused so many people (see other reviews) but the blame isn’t on the customer if so many folk have found this problematic. I’ve emailed with so many companies and this is perhaps the worst I’ve been spoken too.

Do not deal with this company. I paid for items and they were never sent, when l emailed they sent a blank video, lm honestly shocked..absolute scam, just avoid them

Same issue as every other review on here.

You signup to the free trial, they then charge your credit card at the end for almost $100AUD. I then requested a refund and cancellation. They refused to refund the amount even though I contacted them as soon as the payment was processed. And they also cancelled my subscription, and wouldn’t even honour the month period that I had paid for.

I don't usually post reviews (good or bad), but their idea of customer service is providing links to their terms and conditions. I wish I had read all these reviews before I signed up with iStock.

Scam Alert – Unauthorized Charges!

Absolutely horrible experience with iStock! They activated a subscription I NEVER approved and started charging my card without my consent. This is fraud! When I contacted them to cancel, they ignored my request.

I have already reported this to my bank, and I will get my money back 100% because I am protected. But now I have to go through the hassle of canceling my card and getting a new one because of their shady practices.

I will be posting this review EVERYWHERE to warn others. Stay away from iStock unless you want to deal with unauthorized charges and terrible customer service!

They will straight up take your money even if you're on a free trail or cancel your subscription.