Pond5 is a stock media marketplace where creators can sell video footage, music, sound effects, photos, illustrations, and other digital content.
The platform is especially known for stock video. You can upload footage you have created, add titles and keywords, set prices, and submit your files for review. Pond5 then makes approved content available to buyers looking for media for films, ads, videos, websites, and other projects.
Pond5 also accepts music tracks, sound effects, After Effects templates, photographs, illustrations, and datasets. The exact file types accepted can vary by category, so contributors should check the current submission rules before building a portfolio.
You keep ownership of your content after uploading it. Customers purchase a license that permits them to use your work under Pond5’s licensing terms.
Your earnings come from royalties when customers license your content. Pond5 currently pays contributors 30% of net license revenue for most content types, including photos, illustrations, music, sound effects, After Effects files, and non-exclusive video.
Video artists who join the Exclusivity Program can earn 40% on video sales. Dataset earnings have a separate 20% rate.
You can also sell your work on other marketplaces if you are not using Pond5’s exclusive video program. This gives creators more freedom to build a portfolio across several stock sites.
Pond5 lets contributors set their own prices, although you can also let Pond5 set prices for your content. The platform provides pricing tools and data to help contributors make those choices.
Payments are made once your balance reaches $25. Pond5 processes regular payouts on the 15th of each month, with PayPal, Payoneer, and Skrill among the available payment methods.
There is no guarantee that every upload will sell. Stock media is competitive, so the size of your portfolio, subject choices, keywords, technical quality, and customer demand all affect your results.
Pond5 can work well for creators who already produce useful footage, music, or other media. A strong portfolio can keep generating royalties from older files without requiring you to handle each customer yourself.
Pay
Contributors generally earn 30% of net license revenue. Exclusive video artists can earn 40%, while dataset earnings have a 20% royalty rate.
How You Make Money
You create original stock footage, music, sound effects, photos, illustrations, templates, or other accepted media and upload it to Pond5. Customers license your approved content, and you receive a royalty from each eligible sale.
Payment Method
PayPal, Skrill, wire transfer
Withdrawal Speed
Payouts are processed on the 15th of each month once your balance reaches the minimum.
Pros
• You can sell several types of creative media through the same contributor account.
• You keep ownership of your content while Pond5 sells licenses to customers.
• Non exclusive contributors can sell their work on other stock platforms as well.
• Exclusive video artists can earn a 40% royalty rate on eligible video sales.
• Pond5 gives contributors access to buyers around the world who need stock media.
• You can set your own prices or allow Pond5 to set prices for you.
Cons
• Building meaningful income can take a large portfolio and steady sales.
• Stock media is highly competitive, especially for common subjects.
• Pond5 takes a share of every qualifying license sale.
• Exclusive video artists receive the higher royalty rate only under the exclusivity program.
• Some content categories have different submission rules and royalty rates.
Best For
Videographers, musicians, and sound designers who want to set their own prices and earn passive royalties from a premium stock media marketplace
