Shutterstock Reviews 2,736

This business model relies on confusing users into long-term commitments and then charging them to escape. It feels deliberately deceptive, and judging from the sheer volume of similar complaints, this isn’t a one-off — it’s a pattern.

It's the same problem as everyone has. They have a super-sneaky auto-renew and are likely raking it in. Even when I have tried to cancel they want to charge me. I never agreed to a 12-month contract. When you contact them at brand-support_at_shutterstock.com, they get back to you immediately but it does nothing to improve the service or the way they take your money. Also, they do not send a monthly receipt for the charge like every other company out there.

Very shady businessmodel - non-transparent terms on cancellation. Bad support as well. Dont go there.

I purchased a 10 images/month plan, but Shutterstock doesn’t allow unused downloads to roll over and never made that clear before purchase. I paid €299, used only 15 images, and lost the rest. Customer support offered no solution. Very frustrating experience.

Tried to cancel 30 minutes after signing up they refuse to let me without paying a $159 fee. these people are nothing more than online crooks.

If only there was a 0 star. The scammiest of brands. Don't want to renew 1 month subscription well tough. Happened 3 times now. A total total sca,

My plan automatically renewed even though I didn't sign up for it. Now they're asking me to cancel for half of the 11 months. They're nothing but robbers and scammers!

Terrible experience all around with image selection, customer service, everything. I would suggest using another platform.

Autorenew and no way to get money back. Won't be using again

Is there a reason Shutterstock's search engine is now absolutely hopeless? I have used Shutterstock for years and I am recently so fed-up of trying to find what I need and it comes back with completely irrelevant images. It used to be so good. I am now moving to a different photolibrary...

Scammy website. I signed up for a month and am not being charged a large cancelation fee for ending it after one month. Sure, it was maybe in the TOS somewhere, but people realistically can't read all that. It needs to be made clear.

As everyone else says, we've been billed unexpectedly, repeatedly, despite cancelling subscriptions. We've now deleted all payment cards from the account so that the scammers can't keep billing us, and will not be using Shutterstock in future. A word to the wise - if you buy from them, DO NOT store your card details on the account.

I recently bought 2 pictures from Shutterstock and after they downloaded onto my computer I discovered my card had been charged again. (£45 for 2 pics! utterly ridiculous) Apparently I had been entered into a yearly plan I had no idea I was entering so every time you use the photographs in your plan your card will be charged again. I have bought pictures in the past from this company (outright purchases) and was very happy with their service however when I tried to get in touch by phone all I got was an answerphone stating normal office hours but nobody ever answers. If you try to contact customer service by email you get taken to a help page rather than an actual person which is useless. I tried to contact them through my receipt email and did get somebody who immediately told me he did not deal with buyers, only contributors but rather than transfering me to somebody who could help he gave me an email adress that does not take you to an actual person. I tried to delete my account but they will not allow you to do this while you have an active plan. To crown it all the subscription is payable yearly but in advance so how can you ever delete your account when they keep renewing your plan before it expires? They have basically made it impossible to get in touch. My advice to anyone thinking of purchasing from this company is to steer clear and buy elsewhere

Hello,
I recently purchased a plan for two image downloads, used both images, and then found that my card was automatically charged again for another two-image plan. At no point was it made clear that this was a recurring subscription rather than a one-off purchase.
This lack of transparency is extremely disappointing and appears to be a common issue, judging by similar experiences shared on Trustpilot. I also tried contacting customer support but was unable to reach anyone. Poor.

Kind regards,
Robert

Please stop taking money without my permission. Awful company

DO NOT USE SHUTTERSTOCK! They have fine print that does not allow you to cancel your plan without a hefty fee. I cancelled one day after subscribing acciddentally and they charged me $180 with no avenues available for refund. They are exactly the kind of vendor that gives the internet a bad name.

Watch out for Shutterstock's Auto-Renew - you'll get fck'd and they'll bill you without you knowing. Try to contact support and you'll run into dead link. Companies that do this plainly suck. Look for other options and reject companies that have deceptive practices like this.

I would have given Shutterstock a zero star had it been allowed.

Once you try their product which is suposed to be free, the shutterstock will just automatically takes your money every month t even you have not had any subscription or purchased any product from them. As Shutterstock don't send you a monthly bill (as most companies do), it's easy for them to cheat you for a while. Then it's too late to get it refunded.

Never ever try their product.

Keeps showing up when I am trying to find royalty free images

Horrible customer service. There is no customer service telephone number. I purchased 2 credits with shutterstock in 2023. I used paypal to make the payment. Recently, I received a notification from paypal stating that I was being charged an annual fee. I did not receive any notification from shutterstock regarding so called charges. I tried logging into my account, but was unable. I filed a dispute through pay pal and was denied because I apparently had autopay set up. Paypal confirmed the email and user name. I was still unable to log into my account even when trying to reset password. I never received an email to reset the password. I sent a message using the AI tool on shutterstock to request customer service. So frustrating. If a company is taking your money, there should be a way to speak to a representative. Never again!