iStockPhotoReviews 196

I strongly advise against using iStock. The image quality is shockingly poor, with many assets clearly generated by AI, lacking authenticity and professionalism. What's worse is their dishonest subscription policy: if you cancel your subscription, not only do they refuse to issue a refund, but they also steal the credits you already paid for that month. It's blatant theft. Avoid this platform at all costs – there are far better and more transparent alternatives out there.

DO NOT GET A SUBSCRIPTION WITH THIS COMPANY! Unlike other companies who have great customer service and listen to you, this company is appalling. We are used to being able to end monthly subscriptions with reasonable, customer focussed companies. This company does not allow it, even with good reason or even for a fee. Do not be lured by a free trial. I can no longer afford the monthly subscription, no longer have the job I used istockphoto for, and am now I'm paying monthly for something I'm not using. When I asked them how I could cancel they said this to me "We clearly state the subscription type at sign-up and checkout before you submit your order directly above the "I Agree" button, allowing you to make an informed decision. I cannot cancel your subscription early, but I can help you upgrade your subscription" It wasn't clear. It is a subscription trap. The company does not adhere to best business practices and does not have a formal complaints procedure. When in communication via email no name is given and no named person can be dealt with. This is the worst customer service I've encountered in a long time. I would recommend thinking twice before dealing with this Canadian-based company.

They took the money for the subscription. I cancelled it, but they also disabled downloads. It turns out I paid for nothing.

This company is a complete scam. They charged me $70 for an annual fee and refuse to refund my money. Every employee I interacted with was rude, unprofessional, and completely unhelpful. They don't listen or care about your concerns and constantly speak over you when you try to explain the issue. It's clear they have no interest in their customers or resolving problems. I strongly advise against doing business with this company, and they should be reported for their unethical practices.

I have not used iStock in months - nor have I ever and I asked to cancel and they won't let me, stating that I have 9 more months that I have to continue paying on a subscription that I have never used. They won't let me talk to anyone and I told them to stop charging my credit card, but they continue to do so. What a scam.

Please do not start any kind of free trial with this company. They are unreasonable and a scam. I was charged $70 for a membership I did NOT agree to.

They take your money, but give you nothing. They then rely on 'fine print' to justify their actions. Don't waste your money.

Very scammy, I had canceled my plan and was still deducted for the following month after. $70 btw. I then called to speak to someone and that then told me that they can cancel my membership and could not give me a refund (even though the month before I cancelled it and didn't use there services anymore after that) they then reached out through email and told me that they would be able to refund me and that my account had been canceled. So I was unable to get my money back or download any images for the month I had payed for and had money deducted from my account for. Very scammy business and their polices are laid out to milk your money as much as they can.

I would also like to point out they CHARGE YOU to CANCEL a subscription that is worded so poorly. This company/site is manipulative and so not worth the "free month" that they offer. This company is a joke quite frankly, charging someone $85 to CANCEL a subscription? That's just ridiculous. If I canceled it twice I could buy brand new AirPods. I could start a new phone plan with that amount. Get a better system this is a joke. 0/10 F- 0 stars FAIL

IStockPhoto is nothing more than a subscription scammer masquerading as a stock photo agency. Whatever you do, avoid giving them a credit card number at all costs because they'll just keep charging it no matter what customer service says.

I even tried reporting my card stolen to the bank and changing the number, but the charges kept coming through anyway. Currently trying to file a dispute with the CC company but I'm not having much luck so far.

I signed up for a trial and forgot to cancel before it automatically renewed. After the trial expired, I was charged the first month for $75.78. I realized that I wasn't able to cancel and get a refund but I requested that I cancel the account from avoiding future monthly payments with the understanding that I could still use the service for the remainder of the time. I requested cancellation via chat and my account was cancelled. When I logged in to download a graphic, I didn't have a subscription. I called customer service and they told me that my account was cancelled, I would not receive a refund and that my subscription was cancelled and would not be able to download anything. This is an unfair business practice! I paid for a full month and I'm only 2 days in to that month subscription. I should be able to download the allowed amount of graphics (up to 10) for the remainder of the month I paid for. Basically, they are taking the money and running with it without delivering any service. Stay away from this company!

Pricing and subscription details are ambiguous. The website said $70 per year but it turns out that is a per-month charge. Customer service is bottom-of--the-barrel poor, and unwilling to compromise on anything. If you cancel they will charge a $70, non-refundable "administrative fee." The images are not unique - the same or very similar images can be found through free services. My business now pays for and Adobe Stock subscription that is fantastic and 1/2 the price.

Big scam stay away they will not let you cancel they rip people off this is one of the biggest scam in United Ripping people off

They don't take cancellations over the phone. If you cancel, they will cancel immediately rather than at the end of what you've already paid and they will lock you out of your paid service.

SCAM. Very shady company. Do NOT use. Even a free trial. I tried to cancel my free trial and it said I had so subscription. I received a charge later and they would not refund.

DO NOT USE - SCAM - Lock you into 12 months
AS everyone else on here they scam you into purchasing a 12 month contract and refuse to break that contract.
You WILL have to pay them over $1000.

There was no email notification that the Free Trial will end and stating that a minimum of 12 months billing will commence right after. They have only sent email after they have already charged my card, and these charges are premium by default!

Checkout page is misleading and does not clearly state that the subscription is a Lock-In Contract, and a full year at that.

You cannot cancel at any time!

DO NOT USE

I would give no starts if I could. I signed up for a free trial, I thought. It said the first month was free. Okay, cool. That was on February 28. On March 1, I was charged. Huh? When I contacted customer service, they said they would not refund the money since I downloaded something already. During my free trial. And that I didn't cancel during my free month. I only had the trial for 2 days. I expected some kind of email reminding me of the coming end of the trial period. So their "free trial" is extremely misleading. Beware.

I DO NOT recommend Istock. I've asked them to cancel my one year subscription (which nowhere during my purchase was it clear it was a one year subscription) and they wanted to charge me 255$ to cancel. I expressed that I do not consent to that kind of charge and they charged me again $96! I called them, and they dropped the penalty fee to $85? They're negotiating my penalty fee? Absolute disgrace of a company. Not to mention, I DID NOT USE THEIR SERVICES!

This company is just awful. I downloaded just ONE IMAGE and they charged me $70 for it! Who would ever pay that much for a picture? What's REALLY awful is that they said when you subscribe, "the DEFAULT PLAN is the $70 one", so if you're not paying attention, they automatically sign you for that one, even though they have a plan for $29...
Not to mention with ANY plan, you're supposed to get 10 images, but after charging me $70, they are giving me NO credit toward 9 more images (which I don't even need to begin with!)

Ridiculously overpriced, automatic payment triggered at 1 minute after trial period ends and boom, zero refunds no exceptions, even if you immediately reach out and haven't downloaded a single thing. Then when they keep that money, they also immediately block your pre-paid account from access in exchange for not charging you in the future. Zero value given, zero cares given.