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shutterstock vs Unsplash

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

APIshutterstockDEAD0UnsplashDEAD0
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d0.0%0.0%
Uptime · 30d0.0%0.0%
P50 · ms——
P95 · ms——
AuthapiKeyapiKey
CORSyesyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree tier — API key requiredFree tier — API key required
Rate limitUnpublishedUnpublished
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

shutterstock vs Unsplash: common questions

Which is more reliable, shutterstock or Unsplash?

Both are neck-and-neck — shutterstock and Unsplash each measure 0.0% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Do shutterstock and Unsplash need an API key?

Both ask you to authenticate — shutterstock uses an API key and Unsplash uses an API key. Each key is free to obtain; the Auth and Card-required rows above spell out the signup terms.

Can I call shutterstock and Unsplash from the browser?

Yes — both shutterstock and Unsplash send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.

Are shutterstock and Unsplash free for commercial use?

shutterstock has unclear commercial terms, and Unsplash has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.