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For video creators of all stripes, a stock footage subscription can be a key secret weapon in their production strategy. Having access to a library of high-quality footage, images, and audio saves time and money in every production phase. Its value becomes especially obvious when budgets and deadlines are tight (which, let’s face it, is always). Today there are many companies selling stock footage subscriptions. At a glance, you might think their offerings are all the same, but that’s simply not the case. Take Storyblocks vs Artlist, for instance. Both are popular platforms for creatives seeking royalty-free music, videos, and images. But their libraries, plan options, and licensing differ in some important ways.
Depending what types of videos you create, one service might be perfect for your needs while another is totally inadequate. Before deciding which stock footage subscription is right for you, it’s important to understand what each has to offer.
In this post we’ll be taking a closer look at Storyblocks vs Artlist, comparing their plans for individual creators and their team/business plans. We also have posts breaking down Storyblocks vs Envato Elements, along with Motion Array vs Storyblocks.
About Storyblocks and Artlist
Storyblocks was founded in 2009 as an affordable alternative to the traditional stock media model. It’s primarily geared toward providing creators with the assets and tools they need to quickly create more and better videos. It offers subscription plans for any budget with flexible, all-you-can-download plans.
Founded in 2016, Artlist began as a royalty-free music site aimed at independent filmmakers seeking inexpensive music licenses. They expanded their offering in 2019 with the launch of the Artgrid stock footage platform. Then in 2021, it acquired and integrated sound effects subscription service FXhome.
We won’t be comparing Artgrid vs Storyblocks in this post as Artgrid only offers stock video plans. Both Artlist and Storyblocks offer bundled stock content plans, so those are the plans we’ll be looking at.
Storyblocks vs Artlist individual plans
Storyblocks and Artlist both offer a range of subscription plans tailored for individual users’ footage needs. With both platforms you can choose what’s best for you based on your budget and how much content you’ll want to download. Storyblocks’ subscription plans include their Starter, Unlimited All Access, and Pro plans. Artlist’s individual plans include Max Social and Max Pro.
Artlist versus Storyblocks licensing
Storyblocks’ individual license covers worldwide, unlimited distribution for print, digital, and video production. It also includes coverage by individuals for both commercial and personal projects. Storyblocks’ Pro plan also includes rights certificates and cue sheets.
Artlist’s Max Social plan only covers an individual for one channel on each social platform. This includes Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, podcasts, and TikTok. Similar to Storyblocks’ license, the Max Pro plan from Artlist covers individuals for both commercial and personal video projects.
Everything in both Storyblocks’ and Artlist’s library is royalty-free. That means you won’t have to track down licenses for different projects or assets. With both Artlist and Storyblocks, when your subscription expires, so does your license for any new projects. So you can only use downloaded assets in projects created with an active subscription.
Indemnification offered
Indemnification is essentially insurance that any stock content you download is safe to use for any type of project. It protects creators from any third-party claims that content downloaded from a company infringes on their intellectual property rights. When it comes to Artlist vs Storyblocks for indemnification, there’s no real comparison. Storyblocks’ individual plans provide creators with an indemnification safety net of up to $20,000. Artlist does not offer indemnification.
Individual license restrictions
Storyblocks content can be used for client projects under an individual license. But, it must be incorporated into an original project in some way, or the content itself must be modified. Including Storyblocks stock content in an original work which is then distributed is permitted by its license. However, sharing or selling the unedited, original stock content files is not permitted by Storyblocks’ license. Artlist forbids reproducing, distributing, or re-selling any of their assets.
Comparing the stock content offered by Storyblocks versus Artlist
When it comes to a stock media subscription, the asset count and types of media offered are an important consideration. After all, you want to make sure their library includes the type of content you need for your projects and meets your standards. Artlist’s library includes over 400,000 assets of all types, while Storyblocks’ boasts well over a million.
Video (HD/4K/Etc.)
Both Artlist and Storyblocks offer professional quality footage spanning a diverse array of categories and themes. Artlist’s Max Social plan and Storyblocks’ Starter plan only include HD footage. Artlist’s Max Pro plan offers footage in resolution up to 8K, with an option to upgrade to RAW/LOG files. Storyblocks only offers up to 4K resolution with a ULAA or Pro plan. However, Storyblocks offers a large assortment of animated backgrounds and motion graphics, while Artlist does not. Artlist also offers footage and template-only plans via Artgrid, while for now, Storyblocks only offers bundle plans.
Music/SFX
Storyblocks and Artlist provide a wide variety of music and sound effects across different genres, themes, and moods. For creators only interested in audio, Artlist offers a music and SFX-only plan, and all of their bundled plans include both SFX and music. Storyblocks’ starter plan only includes music; you’ll need to choose a ULAA or Pro plan if you also want SFX.
Templates
If you’re looking for templates, you’ll find them in all of Artlist’s bundle plans. Storyblocks only includes templates in their ULAA and Pro plans. Both Storyblocks and Artlist have Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve templates available in their libraries. Storyblocks also offers Apple Motion templates, and Artlist includes Final Cut Pro templates in their offering.
Images
One thing Artlist does not offer is image files, while Storyblocks has a large assortment of photos, vectors, and illustrations. Images are included in all of Storyblocks’ plans.
Download limits
All of Artlist’s bundle plans offer unlimited downloads. Storyblocks matches this with their ULAA and Pro plans, but the Starter plan includes 5 monthly downloads.
Storyblocks versus Artlist tools
Plugins
Storyblocks has integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud for After Effects and Premiere Pro, but only on the Pro-level plan. The Storyblocks plugin brings their entire stock library into your editing program of choice and includes access to your on-site folders.
Artlist has over 40 plugins, and access is included with all of their bundle plans for at least 7 software programs. However, Artlist’s plugins are for visual effects and editing; they do not bring their stock content library into your editor.
Apps/tools
Storyblocks’ individual subscription plans include access to Maker, their easy-to-use video editor that directly connects to their entire stock library. Maker includes a selection of pre-made templates that you can personalize by uploading your own content.
Artlist’s Max Social plan includes HitFilm Creator, an advanced video editor allowing unlimited exports up to 4K UHD. It also includes Imerge Creator, an advanced image editor. HitFilm Creator provides access to a limited number of songs, templates, SFX, and visual effects.
Artlist’s Max Pro plan includes both HitFilm Pro and Imerge Pro. HitFilm Pro is a professional video editor, complete with 3D tools and a large visual effects library. It offers unlimited exports up to 8K resolution and advanced tools, but with a limited amount of songs, templates, SFX, and visual effects.
Looking at other stock media subscriptions? Check out our comparison posts on Motion Array vs Storyblocks and Envato Elements vs Storyblocks.
Final thoughts on Artlist compared to Storyblocks
Phew! That was a lot of information to cover. Next we’ll delve into some final thoughts and other important things to consider when deciding between Artlist vs Storyblocks as an individual user.
Licensing
- Only Storyblocks offers indemnification up to $20,000 for individual creators; Artlist offers no such indemnification. So if a third party claims content you downloaded infringes on their intellectual property rights, only Storyblocks would handle legal claims for you and make sure you’re covered for legal payout.
- While all of Storyblocks’ plans cover usage for both personal and commercial projects worldwide, only Artlist’s Max Pro plan offers that coverage. The Max Social plan from Artlist only covers one personal account per social channel.
Content
- If a vast selection of stock media across multiple content types is a high priority, Storyblocks has the larger library. It also offers images in addition to video, templates, and audio.
- However, if you need footage in resolution above 4K, Artlist has options up to 8K as well as PRO/RES. Artlist also offers video and template or music and SFX-only plans via Artgrid, while Storyblocks only offers bundled content.
Tools
- Storyblocks offers a plugin for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro on their Pro plan that connects their entire library to your editor.
- Artlist, on the other hand, offers more than 40 plugins, and access is included with all of their bundle plans. However, Artlist’s plugins are only for visual effects and editing.
- Both Storyblocks and Artlist include video editors in all of their individual plans. Storyblocks’ video editor is simple to use, with direct access to everything in their stock library. Artlist’s video and image editors are more advanced and offer limited content to use inside the editor.
Artlist vs Storyblocks team and enterprise plans
But what if you’re looking for a stock subscription for your team or organization? Both Storyblocks and Artlist offer subscription plans that cater to teams of all sizes. For Storyblocks, they offer their Storyblocks for Business plan, while Artlist’s options include their Max Teams and Enterprise plans.
Storyblocks for Business compared to Artlist licensing
Storyblocks for Business has a license covering unlimited worldwide distribution for any commercial or internal projects written directly to your company or organization. One particularly helpful attribute of Storyblocks’ business license is that it doesn’t include a derivative work requirement. This means you don’t have to make substantive changes to the assets you download in order to reproduce them.
One important thing to note: Artlist offers custom licenses for businesses through their Enterprise plan. That means they don’t have a specific license to reference for this comparison. Since we can’t say for sure what their business license includes, be sure to ask! You don’t want to end up with a license that rips you off.
Artlist’s Max Teams plan covers unlimited distribution worldwide for any video project, usable for any commercial or personal purpose. Their Enterprise plan offers unlimited coverage for a business or organization with 100 or more members. This applies whether the project is personal or commercial. All terms and licenses for their Enterprise plans are customizable.
As for how long you get to hold onto the files you obtain, with Storyblocks for Business anything you download is yours forever. Artlist lets you keep downloaded assets for projects published while your plan was active. However, once your subscription expires, ownership of those assets reverts back to Artlist.
Indemnification
As previously mentioned, Storyblocks’ individual plans provide indemnification protection against unauthorized use of stock assets up to $20,000. With Storyblocks for Business, that protection is bumped up to $1,000,000, covering users across your organization. Artlist’s team and business plans don’t offer indemnification. This means if you run into any legal issues stemming from the use of their content, you could be personally on the hook for any bills.
Restrictions
Storyblocks’ business license forbids selling, licensing, or redistributing their stock files. You also aren’t allowed to create a trademark or logo based on anything in the Storyblocks stock library. Using scripts, bots, or other programs to download large volumes of stock files is also prohibited, as is doing so manually. Importantly, any stock files downloaded from Storyblocks cannot be used in a way that encourages violence, or for any unlawful purpose. Any model- or property-released content will be clearly indicated for use in commercial projects. But make sure to read the fine print carefully. Any content that doesn’t have a release means you’ll need written permission from the model or property owner to be fully covered.
Artlist forbids reproducing, distributing, transferring, or re-selling any of their assets. Like Storyblocks, you also aren’t allowed to use any files in a way that encourages violence, hate, discrimination, or other insults.
It’s also important to note that Artlist’s Max Teams license only covers up to 7 members of your organization. By contrast, Storyblocks for Business offers unlimited seats.
Comparing the content offered by Artlist and Storyblocks for Business
Video
Both Artlist and Storyblocks offer professional-quality stock footage across a wide range of themes and categories. As for resolution, Storyblocks for Business tops out at HD and 4K footage. Artlist Max Teams and custom Enterprise plans, on the other hand, offer footage quality up to 8K. They also include the option to upgrade to get RAW/LOG files.
Music/SFX
Both Storyblocks and Artlist offer a diverse assortment of music and sound effects spanning different genres, themes, and moods. All business or team plans from both sites include a plethora of both music and SFX options.
Templates
All of Artlist’s team and business plans include templates, as does Storyblocks for Business. Both include Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve templates. Storyblocks also offers Apple Motion templates, while Artlist includes templates for Final Cut Pro.
Images
One of the big differentiators between Artlist and Storyblocks comes down to stock images. Storyblocks for Business includes a vast assortment of photos, vectors, and illustrations. Artlist does not offer stock images in their library.
Download limits
Artlist’s Max Teams and Enterprise plans, along with Storyblocks for Business, offer unlimited downloads.
Tools included with Artlist vs Storyblocks for Business plans
Storyblocks and Artlist both offer an assortment of integrations, tools, and plug-ins, on top of unlimited stock content, to polish up your video projects. But their offerings are not identical.
Plugins
Storyblocks only has their Adobe Creative Cloud plugin for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro included with Storyblocks for Business. The Storyblocks plugin brings their entire stock library into your editor and includes access to your on-site folders and files.
Artlist, by contrast, has over 40 plugins, and access is included with all team and business plans for more than half a dozen software programs. However, be aware that Artlist’s plugins are for visual effects and editing only. And they don’t bring their stock content into your editor.
Apps and tools
Storyblocks for Business includes Maker for Teams, a simple video editor that directly connects to their entire stock library. This includes exclusive business features like one-click custom branding settings, pre-designed templates for faster video creation, and robust collaboration tools.
Artlist’s Max Teams and Enterprise plans include HitFilm Pro and Imerge Pro. HitFilm Pro is a professional video editor with a large visual effects library and a host of 3D tools. It offers unlimited exports up to 8K, and advanced tools with a selection of songs, templates, sound effects, and visual effects. Imerge Pro is a professional image editor with batched export and advanced masking capabilities.
Also worth mentioning: Storyblocks for Business includes a client billing tool, shared folders, SSO, administrative tools, and download to cloud functionality.
Considering other stock providers? Get full breakdowns of Motion Array vs Storyblocks and Envato Elements vs Storyblocks.
Main points to consider for Artlist versus Storyblocks for Business
By now you should have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between these popular stock media platforms. Let’s conclude with some of the major takeaways.
Licensing takeaways
- Both Storyblocks and Artlist cover unlimited, worldwide distribution for commercial and personal projects. However only Storyblocks offers indemnification up to $1 million, covering all users in your organization. Artlist does not currently offer indemnification.
- Storyblocks’ business license is available for reference anytime you want. Because Artlist customizes their business licenses and terms, their licenses are not readily available to view.
- With Storyblocks, you’re free to keep and use any assets you download during your subscription indefinitely. This is a stark departure from Artlist, which only allows the use of their assets for projects while your subscription is active.
Content considerations
- If the kinds of projects you take on require many different types of stock content, Storyblocks may be the better option. While both Artlist and Storyblocks offer footage, templates, music, and sound effects, only Storyblocks has images.
- When it comes to Storyblocks vs Artlist’s libraries, Storyblocks’ is larger at over a million assets compared to around 400,000 assets for Artlist.
Tools and more
- Storyblocks has the Adobe Creative Cloud plugin for Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro.
- Artlist has over 40 plugins that work with several different programs. However, those plugins are for editing and visual effects, and don’t loop their content library into your editor.
- Storyblocks for Business’ Maker for Teams video editor is more user-friendly. This empowers members of your team without much editing experience to easily create on-brand, professional videos.
- Storyblocks for Business also offers more collaborative functionality through shared folders and Maker for Teams.
- Artlist’s video and image editor is more advanced, and therefore requires more experience to use effectively. It includes a large variety of features and offers 8K exports.
Artlist or Storyblocks: Which one will you choose?
Whether you’re a solo creator or part of a production team, choosing the right stock media subscription is a big decision. So it’s important you understand exactly what you’re getting from your plan (as well as what you’re not getting). The subtle differences between Artlist vs Storyblocks’ offerings can actually be a big deal depending on what you’re looking for.
Before shelling out for a stock footage subscription, make sure you educate yourself about all the options available. You’ll get far more mileage out of your subscription if you first learn what each platform has to offer.
