Compare iStock Photo and TurboSquid

Comparison

iStock Photo Logo

iStock Photo

Find the perfect royalty-free image for your next project from the world's best photo library of creative stock photos, vector art illustrations and stock images. Find out more
TurboSquid Logo

TurboSquid

Buy 3D models for your project from our vast online catalog of cars, people, textures, architectural models and more. Find out more
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Why you should consider it
  • Authentic content from over 160K artists worldwide
  • Images and videos in any size or resolution
  • Legal protection so you can use images worry-free
What are the benefits?
  • Affordable Pricing
  • Curated Image Collections
  • Customizable Image Formats
  • Easy Image Download
  • Easy Image Licensing
  • Easy Image Search
  • Exclusive Image Collection
  • Flexible Payment Options
  • Flexible Subscription Plans
  • Global Image Collection
  • High-Quality Images
  • Instant Image Access
  • Large Image Library
  • Professional Photographers
  • Royalty-Free License
  • User-Friendly Website
Things to look out for
  • Image resolution varies
  • Limited Free Content
  • Membership required
  • No exclusive content
  • Pricing Structure
Who is it for?
  • Graphic Designers
  • Marketing Agencies
  • UI Designers
  • 3D Artists
  • Advertisers
  • Architects
  • Designers
  • Educators
  • Filmmakers
  • Game Developers
  • Hobbyists
  • Students
  • Visual Effects Artists
Features

Graphic Designers

iStock Photo

Your project deserves the perfect stock photo. Your budget deserves straightforward royalty-free pricing that lets you use an image just about anywhere, as often as you want.

Help & Support

Should I get credits or a subscription?

If you have one-off or hard-to-predict image needs, credits are a great option. Buy just enough for the images and video clips you need or stock up and save on future downloads. The more you buy, the less they cost. 

If you download as few as four images (photos, illustrations, and vectors) or two videos in a month, you'll get the best value with an iStock subscription. With monthly and annual plans available and download limits ranging from 10 to 750 assets a month, you can enjoy huge savings without making a huge commitment.

If I change my mind, can I get a refund for my purchase?

Credit pack refunds

iStock will gladly refund credit pack purchases made within 14 days of your invoice date, provided you haven't used any credits from the credit pack.

Subscription refunds

You can request a refund for a subscription within 14 days from your initial purchase, as long as you haven't downloaded more than five files and haven't made use of any downloaded content.

Can I share my subscription with my teammates?

The standard subscriptions are built for a single user, which means the same person has to sign in, download and use the files licensed with their subscription.

If I upgrade my subscription, will I have to pay for the full plan value upfront?

If you're upgrading to a Premium + Video subscription from an existing plan, your payment method and billing schedule will reflect the choices you made when you first subscribed:• If you're currently billed monthly or quarterly, your payments will continue on that schedule.
* If you made a single payment, you'll be charged upfront for the total cost of the upgrade.

Pricing will be determined by how much time is remaining on your current subscription.

If I choose an annual subscription, will I be charged monthly or for the total amount?

At checkout, you'll be able to choose between three billing schedule options:

• Monthly (12 payments)
• Quarterly (4 payments)
• Single payment

The total amount will be the same, regardless of the billing schedule you choose.

I have an existing iStock subscription. Can I upgrade to a different plan?

If you have an existing Basic or Premium annual plan, you can upgrade to the Premium + Video subscription online. Sign in to your account and go to your profile page, then simply click or tap the "Upgrade to Premium + Video" button. Pricing will be determined by how much time is remaining on your current subscription.

Do my licensed image and video downloads ever expire?

There is no expiration date on your rights to use files downloaded during your subscription period.

Files licensed with credits can also be used in as many projects you like for as long as you want. Credits never expire as long as you sign into your account at least once a year.

How can I download files not available with my subscription?

If you need a file that isn't available for download with your subscription, you can always download it with credits. 

This is a great way to supplement a Basic subscription with premium Signature collection content or video clips.

What happens if I don't use all of my subscription downloads each month?

Your subscription gives you access to a set number of downloads each month. You can rollover up to 250 unused downloads month to month if you've got an annual subscription or a subscription with auto-renew enabled. If auto-renew is disabled when your subscription term ends, you will lose all rollover downloads that you've accrued.

How do I know if I need a standard or extended license?

Every file downloaded on iStock comes with a standard license that lets you use it in a wide variety of ways. From social media ads to billboards, PowerPoint presentations to feature films, you're free to modify, resize and customize every asset on iStock to fit your projects. With the exception of "Editorial use only" photos (which can only be used in editorial projects and can't be modified), the possibilities are limitless. Just make sure your modifications don't violate the content license agreement

If, however, you require over 500,000 prints, create products for resale, or share files with multiple users, you'll need to add an extended license to your credit purchase. The cost of an extended license is 18 credits for images and 21 credits for videos, in addition to your standard license. 

Learn more

How long are my credits valid for?

Credits never expire as long as you sign into your account at least once a year.

What’s the difference between the Essentials and Signature collections?

Every file on iStock falls into one of two collections. The Essentials collection gives you the everyday content you need, while the Signature collection features millions of premium handpicked stock files that you can only get from us. All content can be purchased with credits, or with a subscription. 

The credit cost to download a file with our standard license depends on the file type and collection it belongs to:

Why do I need to pay for stock images and videos if they are royalty-free?

The word "free" in royalty-free doesn't mean that images and videos are free to use, but rather that after you pay for a license once, you can use the content as often as you want, without paying the copyright holder a royalty each time you use it.

You get the right to use the file—with a legal guarantee that protects you for up to $10,000—and contributors get paid for the great work they do. It's a win-win, and it's why everything on iStock is only available royalty-free.


TurboSquid

Turbosquid - Your One-Stop 3D Marketplace

Summary

Turbosquid is a 3D marketplace that provides high-quality 3D models, textures, and visual effects for use in various industries such as gaming, architecture, and film production.

It offers a vast collection of products created by talented artists worldwide.

Who should use it?

Key Benefits and Features

Comparison with Competitors

Turbosquid is one of the leading 3D marketplaces, and its key competitors include:

Compared to its competitors, Turbosquid offers a larger collection of high-quality 3D models and textures.

It also provides customizable licensing options and integration with popular 3D software, which other marketplaces do not offer.

Additionally, Turbosquid has a reputation for excellent customer support and secure payment options.

Help & Support

How do I become a seller on TurboSquid?
To become a seller on TurboSquid, create an account, submit a portfolio of 3D models, and wait for approval from the TurboSquid team.
What is the royalty rate for sellers on TurboSquid?
The royalty rate for sellers on TurboSquid varies depending on the individual model and the seller's level of exclusivity. The rate can range from 40% to 80% of the sale price.
What is the TurboSquid CheckMate certification program?
The TurboSquid CheckMate certification program is a quality control program for 3D models sold on TurboSquid. Models that meet the program's standards are labeled with the CheckMate certification logo.
What is the TurboSquid StemCell program?
The TurboSquid StemCell program is a service that converts 3D models into multiple file formats, making them compatible with a variety of 3D software applications.
What is TurboSquid?
TurboSquid is a digital media company that sells stock 3D models used in 3D graphics to a variety of industries, including computer games, architecture, and interactive training.
How do I purchase a 3D model?
To purchase a 3D model, create an account on TurboSquid, browse the library of models, select the desired model, and proceed to checkout.
What file formats are available for 3D models?
TurboSquid offers a variety of file formats for 3D models, including 3DS, OBJ, FBX, and more. The available formats vary depending on the individual model.
What is the license agreement for 3D models purchased on TurboSquid?
The license agreement for 3D models purchased on TurboSquid varies depending on the individual model and the intended use. Some models may be used for commercial purposes, while others may only be used for personal projects.

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