Artlist vs. Motion Array: Which stock video site is best? [2025]

Artlist and Motion Array both offer unlimited downloads of videos, music, and templates—and interestingly, they’re now part of the same company, with Artlist acquiring Motion Array in recent years. But which one is right for your creative needs?

I’ve been using both stock footage sites for years. While both are solid choices, they target slightly different users. Artlist is a premium stock media provider with highly curated 8K footage, while Motion Array aims to be a more affordable, all-in-one creative platform. Let’s dive into how they compare.

• Artlist vs. Motion Array at a glance
• Motion Array has a larger but less curated content library
• Motion Array is cheaper
• Almost identical commercial royalty-free licenses
• Both platforms have several tools and integrations
• Which should you use?

Artlist vs. Motion Array at a glance

Before diving into the detailed comparison, here’s a quick overview of how these two stock media platforms stack up against each other.

	Artlist	Motion Array
Content library	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 180,000 videos (up to 8K), 60,000 music tracks, 50,000 SFX	⭐⭐⭐ 500,000 videos (up to 5K+), 125,000 music/SFX tracks
Quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly curated collection with premium 8K footage	⭐⭐⭐⭐ High-quality assets but smaller selection
Pricing	⭐⭐⭐ From $9.99/mo for audio, $29.99/mo for footage, $39.99/mo for everything	⭐⭐⭐⭐ $19.99/mo (annual) or $29.99/mo (monthly) for everything
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Modern interface with AI-powered search	⭐⭐⭐ Good but can be unintuitive for some users
Additional features	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clearlist copyright protection, plugins, HitFilm editor, RAW/LOG footage option	⭐⭐⭐⭐ High-quality assets but a smaller selection
Special deal	2 extra months free	$50 off annual plans

Motion Array has a larger but less curated content library

Looking at Artlist and Motion Array, both platforms offer excellent creative assets, but each takes a different approach. Artlist focuses on exceptional quality control, maintaining a collection of 180,000 videos with resolutions reaching 8K, complemented by 60,000 music tracks and 50,000 sound effects. Their commitment to premium content earned them a spot on our best stock footage subscriptions list despite having a more selective library.

Motion Array takes a different path. Their extensive collection includes 500,000 videos with resolutions up to 5K+, along with 125,000 combined music and sound effects. They also provide creators with 74,000 video templates and 92,000 motion graphics, plus numerous other creative tools. What they lack in ultra-high resolution footage, they make up for in creative possibilities.

The platforms show their differences most clearly in video quality. Artlist emphasizes professional-grade content, offering 8K footage and RAW/LOG formats (available for an additional $18 monthly). This approach draws professional filmmakers and high-end production teams. Motion Array keeps things practical with 5K+ resolution videos while putting more emphasis on providing abundant templates and graphics for creative projects.

Motion Array is cheaper

Both Artlist and Motion Array offer unlimited download subscriptions, which differ in the type of assets you can download and the number of channels you can monetize.

Artlist offers different subscription plans to fit various needs. Their basic Music & SFX Social plan costs $9.99 monthly, perfect for personal projects and single-channel monetization. For $24.92 per month, you can monetize up to 3 channels and do client work. The new tool—AI Voiceover—costs $11.99 per month on its own.

If you need access to their 8K footage, you need to pick their Footage & Templates plan for $29.99 monthly. The Max plan combines everything at $39.99 per month—you’ll get music, SFX, footage, templates, plugins, AI Voiceover, and video editing tools in one package. For an extra $18 per month, you can include RAW/LOG footage to your plan.

Currently, Photutorial readers can use an Artlist promo code that grants you 2 months free when you subscribe to a monthly plan. The promo code is bound to this link.

Motion Array, on the other hand, keeps things simpler with two main pricing options. The Pro plan is $19.99 per month when billed annually or $29.99 if you prefer a month-to-month setup. This plan includes full access to their asset collection.

The AI Voiceover plan is three bucks more expensive at Motion Array despite being the same tool. Their Everything plan costs $29.99 monthly and includes everything Motion Array has; it’s equivalent to Artlist’s Max plan.

Photutorial readers get a $50 Motion Array discount on Pro Yearly (paying $15.82/month instead of $19.99) and Everything (paying $25.83 per month instead of $30) plans. The discount is bound to this link.

As is standard with stock media providers, refunds are not available unless required by law (14 days in EU countries). However, you can get a refund if you were improperly charged.

Both platforms offer team plans for up to 7 team members. Motion Array starts at $18.75 per month per member, while Artlist starts at $33.99 per month per member. Both also offer enterprise solutions, which are a better fit for organizations needing unique licensing options.

Almost identical commercial royalty-free licenses

Whenever you download a file from Artlist or Motion Array, you’re given a license that specifies how you can use it. Both platforms use a royalty-free system, which means you only pay once for the license, and then you’re free to use the assets in many different projects without any expiration. This setup is much more convenient compared to rights-managed licenses that require payment for every use.

Artlist has two main licensing options: Social and Pro, which depend on the plan you choose. The Social license is meant for individual creators who focus on social media content, like YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, TikToks, and podcasts. If you plan to make money from your content or have sponsored material, this license allows it on your own accounts. However, if you’re doing work for a client or business, the Social plan won’t cover you. It also limits you to using the content on one channel per social media platform.

The Pro license from Artlist comes with broader permissions, making it suitable for freelancers, agencies, or anyone needing assets for commercial projects. This license covers client work, advertisements, TV use, and even wedding films. It’s more flexible, allowing paid promotions and up to three channels per platform for monetized content. If you opt for a Teams plan, this limit increases to five channels. Although there are daily download restrictions (around 40 files), these usually won’t interfere with normal usage.

Motion Array, on the other hand, provides a single license that’s quite all-encompassing. It allows the use of assets in films, ads, websites, stage performances, and even printed materials up to half a million copies. If you ever need more than that, you’ll have to reach out to them for special permission. There are still boundaries, though. Reselling or redistributing assets on their own is forbidden. You also can’t use them in templates meant for sale, in logos or trademarks, or as part of services that let others customize the designs. Uploading assets for public downloading or using them in on-demand services like Fiverr is also off the table. As with Artlist, using these assets to train AI models isn’t permitted. If you have plans to use content for things like merchandise or billboards, you’ll need to check in for explicit approval.

Neither platform’s standard license offers indemnity, though. This legal protection can shield you in case a copyright dispute comes up. If that’s something you need, both companies provide custom licenses that include indemnity, though it comes with extra charges.

Both services clearly outline some hard rules. You can’t use their content in anything illegal, offensive, adult-oriented, discriminatory, or that infringes on someone else’s intellectual property rights.

Both platforms have several tools and integrations

Both Artlist and Motion Array have a wide range of tools designed for video creators, though there are some meaningful differences in how each platform handles these features.

They share is offering access to over 50 plugins that are compatible with popular video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. These plugins enhance your editing experience by adding options for keying, color grading, and various visual effects.

Where things start to differ is in how each service integrates with your software. Motion Array can be integrated with After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Photoshop, with support for Adobe Audition and Premiere Rush coming soon. This means you can access Motion Array’s entire library from within these Adobe applications, streamlining your workflow. Artlist, on the flip side, only supports integration to Premiere Pro for now, although it does run seamlessly there.

In September 2023, Artlist released a feature called “Clearlist.” This tool helps you deal with copyright claims on your content. By registering your social channels and videos, you can clear up copyright disputes quickly—sometimes in as little as 10 minutes. For content creators worried about copyright headaches like myself, this is great news.

Meanwhile, Motion Array supports collaboration and teamwork with its Review tool. This feature lets team members leave timestamped comments and on-screen annotations for video projects. It streamlines feedback, making collaborative editing more efficient and organized.

Both services incorporate AI technology in their search functions. Their systems understand concepts, emotions, and visual elements beyond simple keyword matching. This makes finding specific assets more intuitive, particularly when searching for abstract qualities or moods that traditional search methods struggle to capture.

Artlist’s Max subscription includes their proprietary HitFilm and Imerge software for video and image editing. While these tools don’t replace professional standards like Adobe Premiere Pro or Photoshop, they provide useful options for basic editing needs.

Which should you choose?

Artlist specializes in high-quality 8K footage, designed for professional filmmakers and high-end production needs. With its Clearlist tool, you’re protected from copyright complications, and the intuitive search functionality makes sourcing content straightforward. Be prepared, though: access to both video and audio libraries comes at an additional cost.

On the other hand, Motion Array bundles creative assets, tools, and features into a more budget-friendly package, especially if you opt for an annual subscription. The platform’s Review Tool is essential for those collaborating with clients. While the highest resolution available is 5K+, and the total asset count is smaller compared to competitors, the quality remains solid for the majority of projects.

For teams, Motion Array provides a more accessible starting point at $37.50 per month for two users, while Artlist requires a custom quote for team access. If 8K footage is non-negotiable for your work, Artlist could justify the extra spend.

Choose Motion Array if:

• Budget constraints are a primary concern.
• You rely on collaboration features.
• You prefer having diverse creative tools under one subscription.
• You’re part of a team that needs to share resources efficiently.

Consider Artlist if:

• Your projects demand top-quality, curated visuals.
• 8K footage is a must for your production.
• You want additional protection from copyright risks.
• Prioritizing quality over volume is crucial for your workflow.

Ultimately, both platforms have strengths. Deciding factors include your budget, the content quality you require, and which features would optimize your work process.