Is Freepik Owned by Shutterstock

People who use Freepik and Shutterstock often ask if they are connected in any way since both platforms offer stock pictures, graphics and other creative resources. They have similar target customers but do not depend on each other for their operations. The stock photo service provided by Freepik is entirely different from that of Shutterstock; although they compete with each other, they have different corporate models and ownership. This article will explain the nature of their relationship, show how they differ from one another and also check if there are direct connections between the two.

What is Freepik and What Does it Offer?

Freepik is a popular online platform that provides free and premium design resources such as vectors, PSDs, photos, and icons. Launched in 2010, Freepik has grown significantly, becoming a go-to source for graphic designers, marketers, and content creators looking for easily accessible design assets. Some of its key offerings include:

• Free Resources: A vast collection of free-to-use graphics, images, and templates for various projects.
• Premium Subscription: For those needing higher-quality assets, a premium subscription provides access to exclusive resources and removes download limits.
• Easy-to-Use Search: A user-friendly interface that allows easy browsing through millions of assets.

Freepik also has other services like Flaticon for icons, Slidesgo for presentations, and Wepik for editable templates, making it a comprehensive resource for creatives of all kinds.

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Shutterstock: A Look at Its Services and Popularity

Founded in 2003, Shutterstock is among the most eminent stock image sites worldwide. Constituting an addition of high-end stock photographs, videos, sound tracks and editorial content, while different from Freepik which is mainly a vector site, Shutterstock has its uniqueness as follows:

• Massive Library: Over 400 million images, videos, and music tracks available for various uses.
• Global Reach: Available in over 150 countries, with contributors and customers from all around the world.
• Licensing Options: Shutterstock offers diverse licensing models, including standard and enhanced licenses, to meet different project needs.
• Content for Professionals: Aimed at businesses, marketing agencies, and media outlets requiring high-resolution content for commercial purposes.

In the midst of many creative resources available on both Shutterstock and Freepik, it is important to note that Shutterstock is emphasized with premium, commercial-quality content and more licensing options.

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Ownership Structure of Freepik

Freepik started in 2010, founded by Alejandro and Pablo Blanes, along with Joaquin Cuenca. It quickly grew into one of the most popular design resource platforms, offering millions of free and premium assets. Freepik operates under its parent company, Freepik Company, which manages various other services, including Flaticon and Slidesgo. In 2020, Freepik Company underwent a significant change when a private equity firm, EQT, acquired a majority stake in the company.

The EQT acquisition marked a turning point in the enrichment of Freepik as it offered more resources for expanding services and reaching a wider audience. Nevertheless, Freepik still operates independently, with its founders actively managing the platform. Therefore, its structure is still within the realm of a private equity company giving way for investments and innovations on service delivery.

As a conclusion, Freepik doesn’t stand-alone as an enterprise but rather belongs to a much bigger corporation that is backed by private funding. Nevertheless, it still upholds the vision it had from the beginning of becoming a design resource for everyone interested in that line of work.

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Does Shutterstock Own Freepik?

The simple answer is no, Shutterstock does not own Freepik. Despite both platforms offering similar resources, they are operated by completely separate companies. Freepik is owned by the private equity firm EQT, as mentioned earlier, while Shutterstock is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). There has been no official announcement or news that links Shutterstock to the ownership or acquisition of Freepik.

The different business models and ownership structures of these companies set them apart. Shutterstock is more of a conventional stock image company where contributors earn royalties on their uploads. In contrast, Freepik has both free and premium resources, providing designers and creators with numerous options across various price ranges.

In short, though both Shutterstock as well as Freepik continue to face off against each other in the domain of stock photographs; they do not have any direct shareholding or monetary ties. They each cater to their respective audience: Shutterstock focuses on commercial and professional users, whereas Freepik is more appealing for diverse types of authors and artists.

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Comparison of Freepik and Shutterstock

Even though Freepik and Shutterstock both offer creative assets, there exist some important contrasts between the two platforms:

To conclude, Freepik concentrates more on providing cheap and readily available design resources whereas Shutterstock specializes in quality materials that are meant for commercial purposes. However, depending on your requirements you may like either platform than the other but both serve different functions in the creative sector.

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FAQ: Common Questions About Freepik and Shutterstock

Because of their presence in the creative resource market, many people are asking questions about the relationship between Freepik and Shutterstock. The following are some of the most common inquiries along with their answers:

• Is Freepik free to use?
  Yes, Freepik offers a large number of free design assets, including vectors, icons, and photos. However, there are also premium resources available through a subscription.
• Does Freepik offer the same content as Shutterstock?
  No, Freepik and Shutterstock provide different types of content. Freepik focuses on free and premium design resources like vectors, icons, and photos, while Shutterstock offers high-quality stock photos, videos, music, and editorial content aimed at professionals.
• Are there any licensing differences between Freepik and Shutterstock?
  Yes, Freepik’s resources generally come with a standard license that allows personal and commercial use with attribution. Shutterstock, on the other hand, provides various licensing models, including standard and extended licenses, giving users more flexibility for commercial purposes without requiring attribution.
• Which platform is better for designers?
  It depends on your needs. Freepik is great for designers looking for quick, accessible design resources at a low cost. Shutterstock, however, is ideal for professionals who need high-resolution images, videos, and editorial content for commercial projects.
• Can I use Freepik and Shutterstock together?
  Absolutely! Many designers and marketers use both platforms depending on their project needs. Freepik can be used for quick, creative projects, while Shutterstock is a reliable choice for high-quality, commercial work.

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Conclusion: Are Freepik and Shutterstock Connected?

Basically, Freepik and Shutterstock are not related in any way regarding ownership or operations. They have comparable target audiences but are separate websites. EQT owns Freepik while Shutterstock is listed on the stock exchange. They both provide different tools for creativity and users can select one of them according to their artistic requirements.