Low Scenario
Shutterstock: $500/year
Depositphotos: $200/year
1000 stock photos
Shutterstock vs Depositphotos Contributor Earnings
The Shutterstock vs Depositphotos earnings comparison estimates realistic stock income for Shutterstock and Depositphotos contributors using 2026 contributor payout ranges. The numbers work best as directional benchmarks for contributors who already understand that stock income compounds slowly. The table highlights royalty assumptions first, because that is the strongest signal before looking at payout thresholds and policies. This page models 1000 stock photos on Shutterstock, then shows low, average, and high revenue bands with monthly, yearly, daily, and per-asset values. Read the output as a range, then compare nearby calculators to see whether platform choice, format, or niche changes the result.
Royalty Rates 2026
| Platform | Photo RPI | Video RPC | Payout | AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shutterstock | $1-$3/asset/year | $2-$15/asset/year | $35 | not allowed |
| Depositphotos | $0-$1/asset/year | $1-$6/asset/year | $50 | allowed |
Real Earnings Scenarios
Average Scenario
Shutterstock: $1,200/year
Depositphotos: $500/year
1000 stock photos
High Scenario
Shutterstock: $3,000/year
Depositphotos: $1,200/year
1000 stock photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are low and high scenarios so different?
Stock income is uneven. A strong commercial niche, better metadata, and recurring buyer demand can lift the same asset count far above a weak or oversupplied library.
Does exclusivity change the estimate?
Only pages and platforms with explicit exclusive and nonexclusive commission fields can model an exclusivity bonus. Otherwise, the calculator keeps the nonexclusive baseline.
Why do some platforms have fewer format pages?
The generator skips format pages when the data file lacks a useful metric for that media type. That avoids invented precision and keeps the pages honest.
What does the average scenario mean?
The average scenario uses the midpoint-style annual revenue metric from the data file for the selected platform and asset type. It should be treated as a realistic baseline, not a guaranteed return.
Which asset count should I enter?
Enter only accepted, searchable assets that are live for buyers. Drafts, rejected files, and unkeyworded uploads should not be counted.
How often should I revisit the estimate?
Recheck after major royalty changes, marketplace policy changes, or every few months of new uploads so the planning range stays realistic.