If you’re looking to buy stock video footage, you’re probably deciding between Storyblocks and Artgrid. I’ll compare the two in the following areas to help you decide: cost, licensing, and video quality.
Quick summary
Storyblocks and Artgrid are quite similar. They both offer unlimited stock footage downloads with subscription plans. The main distinction between Storyblocks and Artgrid is that Storyblocks has more videos (1 mil vs 160k), but Artgrid has much better video quality. Lastly, Artgrid is more costly than Storyblocks.
- Storyblocks is better for video editors with a smaller budget and those who do not need top-quality videos. In addition, Storyblocks has its own video editor called Maker, which helps you save even more because you don’t have to buy another standalone app.
- Artgrid is better for creative video editors in need of the best stock footage. Admittedly, Artgrid is more costly, but the videos are superb. You can even get 8K, RAW/LOH, ProRes, and H.264 clips.
| Storyblocks | Artgrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Content | 1 million | 160,000 |
| Video quality | 4.4/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Video resolution | HD, 4K | HD, 4K, 8K |
| Subscription pricing | $10—$30/month | $24.92—$49.92/month |
| Downloads | 5/month—unlimited | Unlimited |
| License type | Royalty-free | Royalty-free |
| Promo code | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Features | Easy-to-use video editor (Maker) | Collections |
| Best for | Low budget Beginners Freelancers Teams | High-quality videos Pros YouTubers |
| Learn more | Storyblocks review | Artgrid review |
| Try Storyblocks | Try Artgrid |
Unfortunately, neither Storyblocks nor Artgrid offers a free trial that would let you try their services. However, you can browse and download their watermarked footage and even test it within your projects. This way, you get useful insight into what the paid plan gives you.
I’ll compare them in terms of:
Table of contents
Pricing
Both agencies license their content only with subscription plans, so you can’t buy a single video. What stands out the most is that you get unlimited downloads.
In short, Storyblocks is much more budget-friendly than Artgrid. For $30, you get unlimited downloads to all the content. In contrast, to get access to similar videos at Artgrid, you need the middle plan for $29/month. However, you won’t get templates, music, audio, and images. To get audio and SFX, you need to buy a plan from Artgrid’s sister website, Artlist.io, and pay $16.60/month.
As a result, you would pay $30 for Storyblocks and $45 for Artgrid & Artlist. However, Storyblocks offers 4x more videos. But you can’t get 8K videos at Storyblocks; they’re only available at Artgrid with the most costly plan ($49.92/month).
| Storyblocks | Artgrid | |
|---|---|---|
| License type | Royalty-free | Royalty-free |
| Downloads | 5–Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Price | $10–$30/mo | $24.92–$49.92/mo |
| You get | HD & 4K footage, After Effects templates, music, sounds effects, photos, vectors, illustrations | HD, 4K, & 8K footage, RAW/LOG clips, ProRes |
In addition to the Unlimited All Access plan that gives unlimited downloads of everything, there are the Unlimited Video (unlimited footage & templates; $20/month) and the Basic Video (5 downloads of HD footage; $10/month) plans.
Alternatively, if you need audio only, there are the Unlimited Audio (unlimited music & sound effects; $15/month) and Basic Audio (3 downloads; $10/month) plans.
WINNER: Storyblocks
Licensing
In terms of licensing, Storyblocks and Artgrid are very similar. Both offer their versions of a royalty-free license, which allows you perpetual use of the assets. The license is not transferable, but you may use the licensed footage for your client’s projects.
In addition, Storyblocks offers a Business license that may be used by the entire organisation rather than by an individual only. It also provides $1 legal indemnification instead of $20K.
| Storyblocks | Artgrid | |
|---|---|---|
| License type | Royalty-free | Royalty-free |
| License name | Individual | Artgrid |
| Web views | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Production budget | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Indemnification | $20,000 | – |
Since Artgrid doesn’t offer any form of indemnification to protect you from trouble, Storyblocks is a clear winner.
WINNER: Storyblocks
Video and audio quality
Video and audio quality are crucial factors in the making of a video since they influence how the video is perceived. A video experience can be ruined by the poor video quality. The bit rate and frame rate are the two most important parameters influencing video quality.
The bit rate of a file is the number of bits per second, while the frame rate is the number of frames per second. The greater the bit rate, the higher the quality of the video, but the larger the file size. The greater the frame rate, the smoother the video will appear, but the file size will be less.
In general, if video quality is all you care about, Artgrid is the obvious choice. It offers 8K stock footage, RAW/LOG clips, and ProRes video. While the videos look more professional at Artgrid, it’s considerably more expensive than Storyblocks. In addition, it offers 4x fewer videos.
WINNER: Artgrid
FAQ
What is the best stock footage site?
Storyblocks is one of the best stock footage sites because it offers unlimited downloads for a very low price. Due to low prices and unlimited downloads, Storyblocks is the best option for those on a tight budget. I recommend it to beginner and intermediate video editors, although pros can use it as well.
Is Artgrid better than Storyblocks?
Artgrid is better than Storyblocks in terms of video quality. For instance, Artgrid offers 8K videos, while Storyblocks sells 4K at most. Also, Artgrid videos look more professional, almost like National Geographic filmed them.
Should I choose Storyblocks or Artgrid?
Choose Storyblocks if you’re on a tight budget and want a wide variety of stock footage. Artgrid is the best option if you need 8K, RAW/LOG, and ProRes clips.
What is the best Storyblocks alternative?
I recommend Artgrid.io and Videvo.net as alternatives to Storyblocks. Artgrid is more costly but offers excellent videos whereas Videvo costs a lot less but at the cost of footage quality.
Summary
In this blog article, I compared two stock footage sites, Storyblocks and Artgrid, in terms of pricing and licensing. Storyblocks has an excellent collection of stock footage and footage that is easy to customize. Its license is also very flexible and prices are fair. Overall, Storyblocks is a better choice if you’re on a budget.
If you’re not limited by budget, I recommend Artgrid due to its excellent image quality.
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