iStock is a website where you can get stock photos, illustrations, vectors, and videos for your projects. You can either pay for a subscription plan, which lets you download a set number of images each month, or you can buy credits to download specific photos or vectors without a subscription. The subscriptions are billed automatically, usually monthly or annually, so if you see a charge from them, it's probably for your ongoing access to their content. This makes it easy to keep getting new visuals regularly without buying them one by one every time.
Difficulty
12345
678910
Easy
Medium
Very Hard
While iStock provides a way to cancel subscriptions from the account overview or by contacting support, there is no straightforward visible cancel button easily found by all users, requiring some users to contact support or use chatbots. Cancellation can be done quickly once routed to the right place, but the indirect access and occasional website errors make the process somewhat less than perfectly easy, though not overly difficult.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes
5 minutes
00
00
minutes to cancel a istock subscription.
How to Cancel istock: Step by Step
If you purchased through istock.com:
- Log In: Start by logging into your iStockphoto account using your credentials.
- Account Settings: Go to your account settings.
- Subscription Management: Look for a section labeled “Subscription” or “Manage Subscription.”
- Cancel Subscription: Find the option to cancel your subscription and provide a reason for cancellation if asked.
- Confirm Cancellation: Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation and ensure you receive a confirmation email.
Tips & Tricks for Canceling istock
- Use PayPal to pay for the subscription so you can easily stop future payments directly through PayPal.
- Cancel the credit card used for payment as a last resort to stop charges, though this can be inconvenient.
- Call iStock support directly and speak firmly to a representative to request cancellation; this is often the most effective method.
- Send a formal cancellation request within the 14-day legally mandated period to ensure no additional fees are charged beyond the first month.
- Be aware that the first month is typically non-refundable, especially if any resources were downloaded during that period.
- Remain persistent and patient as some users report inflexibility and pushback when trying to cancel.
- Make the cancellation request before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing cycle.
istock Customer Service Info
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with istock's support team.
Cancel istock Script
Script
Copy
Dear iStock Customer Service,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request the cancellation of my iStock subscription due to recent changes in my budget and business needs. While I have appreciated the quality of images provided, I believe it is best for me to discontinue my membership at this time.
Please confirm the cancellation of my subscription and ensure that no further charges are applied to my account. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in this matter.
Best regards,
Frequently Asked Questions
iStock's subscription cancellation policy states that canceling during a paid annual subscription may incur an administrative fee covering customer care processing and royalties paid to contributors. Specific instructions and details about subscription cancellations can be found in their FAQ and legal license agreement sections.
To cancel your iStock subscription, you will most likely need your password to access your account online since cancellations are done through the account overview page. While iStock offers phone, chat, and email support, there is no clear indication that subscription cancellations can be handled without logging into your account. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it using this URL: https://www.istockphoto.com/forgot-password to receive a reset link via email to regain access and cancel your subscription.
- Unclear or misleading subscription terms causing confusion about costs and cancellation policies.
- Being trapped in annual subscriptions with no easy way to cancel before the term ends.
- High or unexpected cancellation fees, often equal to significant portions of the remaining subscription cost.
- No reminder emails about the end of free trials, leading to unintended charges.
- Charges applied even after attempted cancellation, including during free trials.
- Refusal to refund charges when the service was not used or cancellation was attempted.
- Difficulty in contacting or getting help from customer service, which is reported as rude or unhelpful.
- Loss of access to unused credits or downloaded images after cancellation.
- Perceived scammy or unethical subscription practices causing distrust.
- Billing surprises such as higher-than-advertised costs per image or monthly fees.
iStock's main gimmick to be aware of is that if you sign up for an annual subscription, you cannot cancel it before the end of the contracted term, and refunds are generally not provided. While you can turn off auto-renewal at any time to avoid charges for the next term, you are locked into the full annual contract once you commit. Monthly subscriptions are more flexible, allowing cancellation at any time before the next billing cycle.
Before cancelling your iStock subscription, know that you will retain access to all assets you have already downloaded and can continue to use them even after cancellation. However, you will lose any unused downloads or remaining credits once your subscription period ends. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle, and you will not be charged for the following months. Be aware that any remaining credits or downloads expire immediately after cancellation, so use them before your subscription ends.
- Account login credentials (username and password)
- Access to your iStock account dashboard
- Navigate to account settings or subscription management section
- Locate your current plan/subscription details
- Reason for cancellation (may be requested during the process)
- Confirm cancellation and follow any on-screen prompts
- Email address to receive the cancellation confirmation email
- Awareness of remaining credits/downloads as these may expire once you cancel
- Contact information for customer support if additional assistance is needed
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from istock. Check it out!
The Easiest Way to Cancel istock
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from istock—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Start reclaiming your money today with Chargeback
What Are Some Alternatives to istock?
iStock.com, iStockphoto, CIRCLE LINE ECOMMERCE, CKO*www.istockphoto.com
Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.png)
