Stock Licences Explained: Standard, Extended, Editorial and What Happens When You Cancel
The four licence questions that get people sued, answered for each service we tested. Not legal advice.
Standard vs extended
A standard licence covers web, social, presentations and small print runs (usually under 500,000 copies). Merchandise for resale, templates for resale and large print runs need an extended or enhanced licence, which costs several times more.
Editorial
Editorial images (news, celebrities, logos in frame) may only illustrate news or commentary, never advertising. Shutterstock and iStock mark them clearly; Envato and Freepik carry few.
Model and property releases
A recognisable person or private property in a commercial image needs a release. Reputable libraries only accept released commercial images; check the badge before using a face in an ad.
After you cancel
- Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, iStock: downloads are licensed forever.
- Envato Elements: licensed for the project you registered while subscribed; new projects need a live subscription.
- Storyblocks, Freepik: similar — downloaded while subscribed stays licensed for that use.
- Canva: content used in an existing design stays; you cannot reuse Pro content in new designs.
Indemnification
Adobe, Shutterstock, iStock and Envato will cover legal costs up to a stated amount if an asset infringes. Canva and Freepik offer little or none.
» See the full rankings: Best Stock Photo and Creative Asset Sites of 2026 .