Dreamstime has been in the stock photography business since 2000, making it one of the oldest platforms in the category still actively paying contributors today.
That longevity matters. It has outlasted dozens of competitors and built a buyer community of over 35 million registered users across the world. For photographers and illustrators looking to diversify their stock earnings beyond the usual Shutterstock and Adobe Stock combination, Dreamstime is one of the more credible and rewarding options to add to the mix.
The royalty structure here is genuinely one of the more interesting in the stock space. Non-exclusive contributors earn 25% of each sale, which is a reasonable starting point. But exclusive contributors who commit to selling their work only through Dreamstime earn up to 60% of the sale price, plus a $0.20 upload bonus on new submissions for active accounts hitting certain download thresholds. That 60% ceiling puts Dreamstime among the most financially rewarding exclusivity arrangements in the stock photography category when you factor in the types of licenses buyers purchase.
Editorial images, business scenes, lifestyle photography with genuine diversity, and niche-specific images in areas like healthcare, education, and remote work tend to perform best.
The platform also accepts vector illustrations, footage, and audio, giving multimedia creators multiple income channels from a single account. A well-maintained portfolio in a focused niche can earn $200 to $500 per month part-time, with full-time contributors reporting $1,000 to $3,000 or more once their catalog reaches meaningful size.
One thing worth knowing upfront is that if you decide to leave the platform, Dreamstime has the right to keep your images available for six months after your departure. However, it continues paying royalties during that holding period, so you won’t lose earnings on existing downloads. It is a platform worth treating seriously from the start if you’re building a long-term stock income.
Pay
25% royalty for non-exclusive contributors. Up to 60% for exclusive contributors. Per-download earnings range from $0.15 to $1.20 for subscription purchases and up to $30 for on-demand license purchases. $0.20 upload bonus per new submission available at higher contributor tiers.
How You Make Money
You create a free contributor account, upload original photos, vectors, illustrations, audio, or footage, pass quality review, and earn royalties each time a buyer purchases a license for your content.
Payment Method
PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill, checkv
Minimum Payment
$100 for check, lower thresholds for PayPal and Payoneer
Withdrawal Speed
Processed upon request once minimum balance is reached
Pros
- One of the highest exclusivity royalty rates in stock photography at up to 60% per sale
- Beginner-friendly with no strict portfolio minimums to get started
- Accepts photos, vectors, illustrations, audio, and video all in one account
- Referral program pays 10% of earnings from contributors or buyers you refer for three years
- Longevity since 2000 with a proven and consistent payment track record
Cons
- $100 minimum payout for check withdrawals is on the higher end and can take time to accumulate
- Non-exclusive rate of 25% is lower than platforms like Alamy where non-exclusive earns 40%
- Six-month portfolio hold if you decide to leave the platform, though royalties still paid during that period
- Per-download earnings on subscription plans are modest without a large, high-demand catalog
Best For
Photographers and illustrators willing to commit to exclusivity for significantly higher royalty rates, or creators who want a beginner-accessible platform with a referral income stream alongside their portfolio royalties
