Start your microstock journey in 2025 with the best platforms for beginners. Discover the top 10 microstock sites to sell your photos and earn passive income online.
Are you new to stock photography and wondering where to begin? Microstock platforms are an excellent way for beginners to enter the world of selling digital content. In 2025, the microstock industry is thriving more than ever, offering creators the chance to earn passive income by selling photos, illustrations, and videos online.
Here’s a curated list of the top 10 microstock sites for beginners in 2025 that are easy to join, beginner-friendly, and offer good earning potential.
1. Shutterstock
One of the biggest and most trusted microstock platforms globally. Shutterstock has a massive buyer base, which increases your chance of sales.
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Pros: High traffic, global reach, clear contributor dashboard
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Cons: Earnings per download can be low for beginners
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Best for: Beginners looking for volume-based sales
https://submit.shutterstock.com
2. Adobe Stock
Known for its seamless integration with Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Stock offers competitive royalties and a clean submission process.
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Pros: 33% commission, no exclusivity required
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Cons: Strict quality control
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Best for: Creators already using Adobe tools
https://contributor.stock.adobe.com
3. iStock by Getty Images
A well-established platform under Getty Images, iStock has high brand recognition and offers exclusive contributor options.
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Pros: Strong reputation, global clients
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Cons: Lower royalties for non-exclusive content
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Best for: Long-term contributors seeking credibility
https://www.istockphoto.com/sell-stock-photos
4. Dreamstime
Dreamstime has a simple contributor interface and accepts a wide variety of content types including editorial images.
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Pros: Beginner-friendly interface, wide acceptance
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Cons: Slower approval times
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Best for: Contributors just starting out
https://www.dreamstime.com/sell-stock-photos
5. Depositphotos
Another trusted name in the microstock space. Depositphotos has a clean submission process and caters to various buyers.
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Pros: Clear submission guidelines, good exposure
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Cons: Lower royalties at entry level
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Best for: Contributors with diverse portfolios
https://depositphotos.com/become-contributor.html
6. Alamy
While technically not a microstock agency, Alamy accepts a wide range of content and offers higher royalty rates.
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Pros: Up to 50% royalties, accepts editorial content
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Cons: Slower sales volume than typical microstock sites
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Best for: High-quality and editorial-style images
https://www.alamy.com/contributor
7. 123RF
123RF offers a large global audience and relatively simple registration process for new contributors.
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Pros: Easy to use, quick approvals
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Cons: Lower visibility compared to giants
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Best for: Growing portfolios from scratch
https://www.123rf.com/contributor/
8. Can Stock Photo
A lesser-known but accessible platform that allows for easy uploading and fast approvals.
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Pros: Fast review times, automatic uploads to partner sites
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Cons: Smaller buyer base
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Best for: Beginners looking to test the waters
9. EyeEm
EyeEm connects contributors not only to its own marketplace but also distributes to Getty Images.
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Pros: Strong focus on creative photography, Getty partnership
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Cons: Limited to photography (no vectors or videos)
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Best for: Artistic and lifestyle photographers
10. Wirestock
Wirestock is unique because it allows you to submit to multiple agencies at once (like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, etc.) with just one upload.
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Pros: Time-saving, simple keywording, automatic submission
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Cons: Takes a small commission from your earnings
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Best for: Beginners who want automation and simplicity
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right microstock site depends on your goals, style, and workflow. As a beginner, you can even upload to multiple platforms to maximize your exposure and earnings. Be consistent, follow submission guidelines, and optimize your keywords for better visibility.
Whether you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or videographer, 2025 is a great time to start monetizing your creative work through microstock platforms.