Epidemic Sound vs Shutterstock
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
Royalty-free music for content.
Stock photos, video, and music.
The verdict
Both Epidemic Sound and Shutterstock are credible media publishing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose Epidemic Sound if you want a lower starting price (from $9.99/mo) and a higher overall rating (4.7/5). Royalty-free music for content.
Shutterstock - Stock photos, video, and music.
Epidemic Sound vs Shutterstock: side by side
| Dimension | Epidemic Sound | Shutterstock |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $9.99/moWinner | From $29/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best for | Creators, Video Teams | Marketers, Designers |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Api, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.5/5 |
Epidemic Sound key facts
- Vendor
- Epidemic Sound
- Pricing
- Subscription - From $9.99/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Creators, Video Teams
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- Stockholm, Sweden
Shutterstock key facts
- Vendor
- Shutterstock
- Pricing
- Subscription - From $29/mo
- Free tier
- No
- Platforms
- Web, Api, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Marketers, Designers
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2003
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
Frequently asked questions
Is Epidemic Sound better than Shutterstock?
Neither is universally better - Epidemic Sound edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Epidemic Sound or Shutterstock cheaper?
Epidemic Sound is the more affordable of the two to get started, at from $9.99/mo. Epidemic Sound starts at from $9.99/mo; Shutterstock starts at from $29/mo.
Can Epidemic Sound replace Shutterstock?
Yes for most teams - both are media publishing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.