Low Scenario
Adobe Stock: $800/year
iStock: $300/year
1000 stock photos
Adobe Stock vs iStock Contributor Earnings
The Adobe Stock vs iStock earnings comparison estimates realistic stock income for Adobe Stock and iStock contributors using 2026 contributor payout ranges. A fair comparison needs the same portfolio assumptions on both sides, which is why this page normalizes the revenue per asset. The table highlights royalty assumptions first, because that is the strongest signal before looking at payout thresholds and policies. This page models 1000 stock photos on Adobe Stock, then shows low, average, and high revenue bands with monthly, yearly, daily, and per-asset values. Use the monthly figure for cash-flow planning and the per-asset value for deciding whether new production time is justified.
Royalty Rates 2026
| Platform | Photo RPI | Video RPC | Payout | AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Stock | $1-$5/asset/year | $2-$20/asset/year | $25 | allowed |
| iStock | $0-$3/asset/year | $1-$10/asset/year | $100 | not allowed |
Real Earnings Scenarios
Average Scenario
Adobe Stock: $2,000/year
iStock: $800/year
1000 stock photos
High Scenario
Adobe Stock: $5,000/year
iStock: $2,500/year
1000 stock photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some platforms have fewer format pages?
The generator skips format pages when the data file lacks a useful metric for that media type. That avoids invented precision and keeps the pages honest.
What does the average scenario mean?
The average scenario uses the midpoint-style annual revenue metric from the data file for the selected platform and asset type. It should be treated as a realistic baseline, not a guaranteed return.
Which asset count should I enter?
Enter only accepted, searchable assets that are live for buyers. Drafts, rejected files, and unkeyworded uploads should not be counted.
How often should I revisit the estimate?
Recheck after major royalty changes, marketplace policy changes, or every few months of new uploads so the planning range stays realistic.
Does this calculator work without JavaScript?
Yes. The default average estimate is rendered into the HTML during the PHP build. JavaScript only updates the numbers live when you change an input.
Are these numbers revenue or profit?
The calculator estimates contributor revenue before production costs, taxes, gear, software, models, props, travel, and editing time.