The Ultimate Step by Step Guide to Cancelling a Shutterstock Subscription or Membership (shutterstock.com)
By
Bella K.
|
Published
July 17, 2025
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Updated
July 1, 2025
Shutterstock is a website where you can get stock photos, images, illustrations, and vectors. They offer subscription plans where you pay monthly to download a set number of images, starting at $49 per month. If you prefer, you can also buy image packs that give you a set number of downloads to use within a year without a monthly fee. Most subscriptions automatically renew each month so you might see regular charges, but you can cancel anytime if you don’t want to keep going.
Cancelling a Shutterstock subscription is straightforward and can be done directly in the account's Plans page by clicking a clear 'Cancel plan' button. The process is simple and quick, with no reported complications or requirements to contact support, making it very easy for consumers.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes 10 minutes0010 minutes to cancel a Shutterstock subscription.
How to Cancel Shutterstock: Step by Step
If you purchased through Shutterstock.com:
Log in to your Shutterstock account.
On the Dashboard, go to the **Account** section.
Select **Manage Account** from the dropdown menu.
Click on the **Plans** tab.
Locate your active subscription and click on **Cancel Plan**.
Follow any on-screen instructions to confirm the cancellation.
You will receive a confirmation email once your subscription is successfully canceled.
How to Contact Shutterstock
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with Shutterstock's support team.
Call your bank or credit card company immediately and ask them to freeze any payments to Shutterstock.
Dispute charges with your bank via chargebacks for any unauthorized or unexpected payments.
Block your card after the first unauthorized charge and request a new card number to prevent future charges.
Threaten to dispute charges with your bank if Shutterstock demands cancellation fees; sometimes they waive these fees after you escalate.
Use strong, firm language indicating you will escalate to your bank and regulatory authorities if charges continue.
Attempt cancellation during free trial periods by clicking "Cancel plan early" if available, to avoid automatic conversion to paid plans.
Avoid relying solely on Shutterstock's chat or online help, as it often leads only to FAQs or dead ends.
Be prepared to escalate by phone, even driving a long distance if necessary, to speak with a representative willing to cancel your subscription.
Consider using virtual credit cards or payment methods with spending limits to prevent unexpected charges from subscription services.
Timing your cancellation before auto-renewal can prevent unwanted charges, but be sure to confirm cancellation by checking account status.
Know that Shutterstock may use aggressive tactics to retain you, including charging cancellation fees, so stay persistent.
Why Do People Request Refunds from Shutterstock
Unexpected auto-renewal charges without prior notification
Difficulty and complexity in cancelling subscriptions
High fees for early cancellation or termination
Unethical billing practices perceived by users
Lack of clear communication about subscription terms and pricing
Accidental subscription sign-ups during free trials
Not using downloaded images or services paid for
Disappointment with service quality or image selection
Subscription plans not matching user needs or expectations
Feeling exploited due to rigid cancellation policies
Shutterstock Refund Script
Script
Copy
Dear Shutterstock, Support, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request a refund due to a billing issue that arose recently. I noticed an accidental charge on my account that I do not recognize, and I believe it may have been a mistake. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in processing this refund at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. Best regards,
Shutterstock Refund Policy
Shutterstock allows cancellation of monthly plans without annual commitment at any time without cancellation fees. Annual subscriptions with upfront billing or month-to-month subscriptions can also be canceled without fees, but early cancellation of annual commitment plans may incur a fee. Refunds are only available within 14 days of purchase or if the plan has not been used.
The Easiest Way to Get a Shutterstock Refund
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from Shutterstock—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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shutterstock subscriptions typically allow cancellation at any time; however, if you have an annual subscription paid upfront and you cancel before the term ends, you will be charged 50% of the remaining contract obligation as an early cancellation fee. There are no cancellation fees if you cancel at the end of a subscription term or if you are on month-to-month billing, but you should be aware that refunds are not available after 14 days or once the plan has been used. This means the main landmine is the substantial early cancellation fee if you try to exit an annual contract early.
Unexpected auto-renewal charges without prior notification
Difficulty and complexity in cancelling subscriptions
High fees for early cancellation or termination
Unethical billing practices perceived by users
Lack of clear communication about subscription terms and pricing
Accidental subscription sign-ups during free trials
Not using downloaded images or services paid for
Disappointment with service quality or image selection
Subscription plans not matching user needs or expectations
Feeling exploited due to rigid cancellation policies
Shutterstock account login credentials (email address and password)
Access to the Plans page in your Shutterstock account dashboard
Subscription or membership type (monthly or annual, individual or team)
Knowledge of your subscription renewal date
Ability to navigate to the "Cancel plan" option on the website
Contact method (optional: customer service phone number if canceling by phone, e.g., 646-419-4452)
Reason for cancellation (may be optionally requested for feedback)
Payment information (in case there are cancellation fees, especially for annual commitments)
Ensure no active commitments before closing your account
Before canceling your Shutterstock subscription, know that you will lose the ability to download new images, videos, or other assets included in your plan once the subscription ends. However, any existing downloads remain accessible until the current subscription period or pack expires. If you choose to delete your Shutterstock account after canceling, you will also lose all remaining downloads and your licensing history. It's important to download and save any assets you need before your subscription or account is fully terminated.
Shutterstock allows cancellation of monthly plans without annual commitment at any time without cancellation fees. Annual subscriptions with upfront billing or month-to-month subscriptions can also be canceled without fees, but early cancellation of annual commitment plans may incur a fee. Refunds are only available within 14 days of purchase or if the plan has not been used.
To cancel your Shutterstock subscription, you do need to log in to your account, which requires your password. Shutterstock currently does not offer cancellation via phone or unauthenticated chat support where a password is not needed. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it at this URL: https://www.shutterstock.com/account/reset-password.
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from Shutterstock. Check it out!
The cancellation process typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. However, the actual time may vary depending on your account settings and whether you need to contact customer service. Most cancellations are processed immediately, but some may take up to 24 hours to take effect.
After canceling your Shutterstock subscription, you'll typically have access to the service until the end of your current billing period. You won't be charged for the next billing cycle, and your account will be deactivated once the current period ends. Make sure to download any important data before cancellation.
Yes, you can usually reactivate your Shutterstock account by logging back into your account and resubscribing. However, you may need to go through the sign-up process again and provide payment information. Some services may offer special reactivation deals for returning customers.
If you're unable to cancel Shutterstock online, contact their customer service directly using the phone number, email, or website provided above. You can also use our refund script to help you communicate effectively with their support team. In some cases, you may need to provide additional verification or documentation.
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