Storyblocks vs. Motion Array: Which Stock Video Site Is Better In 2024?
Creating high-quality video content for YouTube, Instagram, ads, or any other project can be very time-consuming and cost you a lot of money. That is why I, and millions of other content creators all over the world, choose to buy stock footage. There are some stock video sites that charge over $1000 for just one video, and since I create a lot of content each month, that is not an option for me. I prefer having access to unlimited stock footage without having to pay thousands of dollars for it.
In this review, I will talk about two of the most popular stock media subscription sites - Storyblocks and Motion Array. I will compare their features, pricing, license, pros and cons, and share my honest opinion about both platforms.
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array: Pros And Cons
Storyblocks Pros
Unlimited downloads
Over 1,5 million assets: videos, audio, images, After Effects templates, Premiere Pro templates, motion backgrounds, etc.
Can use all downloaded files even after the subscription ends
Prices starting at $30 a month
The license covers personal and commercial projects
Free access to online video editor Maker included in the subscription
Different subscription plans
Motion Array Pros
Unlimited downloads
Huge variety of digital assets
Lifetime use and full usage license
World's largest collection of Premiere Pro plugins
Prices start at $20 a month
Portfolio Website Builder and other tools included in the subscription
Extensions for Adobe
Storyblocks Cons
The free trial option is no longer available
Content can be a bit common (same with most stock footage websites)
More expensive than Motion Array
Motion Array Cons
The library is smaller than Storyblocks'
Can't use downloaded assets in future projects after a subscription cancellation
Limited subscription options
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Pricing
Storyblocks offers different subscription plans
Storyblocks Unlimited All Access:
Monthly subscription is $65 per month
Annual subscription is $360 per year ($30 per month)
Includes unlimited downloads of all assets in the library and access to a video editor
Video Basic:
Monthly subscription is $20 per month
Annual subscription is $120 per year ($10 per month)
Includes 5 downloads of HD footage per month
Unlimited Video:
Monthly subscription is $50 per month
Annual subscription is $240 per year ($20 per month)
Includes unlimited downloads of HD and 4K footage and After Effects templates
Basic Audio:
Monthly subscription is $15 per month
Annual subscription is $120 per year ($10 per month)
Includes 3 downloads of music files per month
Unlimited Audio:
Monthly subscription is $30 per month
Annual subscription is $180 per year ($15 per month)
Includes unlimited downloads of music and sound effects
Motion Array has three subscription plans
Monthly plan is $29,99 per month
Annual plan is $249,99 per year ($20,83 per month)
Team plan is $224,99 per year ($18,75 per month) for each member of teams of 2-20 people
All three plans include unlimited downloads of all assets in the library, plugins, 250GB of storage, and free access to the Video Review tool and Portfolio Site Builder
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Free Trial
Storyblocks and Motion Array do not offer a free trial option.
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Free Account
If you want to try Storyblocks before purchasing a subscription, you can start by creating your free account. This will allow you to download watermarked previews of digital assets from the library, organize them, and share folders with your clients or team members.
Motion Array also has a free account option that includes free downloads of certain assets, access to the shifter plugin, up to 1GB of upload and review storage, and one month of access to both the Video Review Tool and Portfolio Site Builder.
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Library
Storyblocks has one of the biggest libraries among stock media subscription services. Every month they add new assets to the library at no additional cost for members.
1+ million of Video Footage
Stock Footage (HD and 4K)
After Effects Templates
Premiere Pro Templates
Animated Backgrounds
After Effects Intro Templates
Apple Motion Templates
Green Screen Footage
After Effects Lower Thirds Templates
100,000+ of Stock Audio
Royalty-Free Music
Sound Effects
450,000+ of Stock Images
Photos
Illustrations
Vectors
Motion Array has a smaller library than Storyblocks but it has a wider variety of digital assets. There are about 700,000+ assets in the library right now; the company is rapidly growing and they regularly add new content. I think that for most creators there are more than enough assets in the Motion Array library.
Videos
Footage
Motion Graphics
Photos
Audio
Royalty-Free Music
Sound Effects
Templates
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Motion Graphics
Adobe Premiere Rush
DaVinci Resolve
Final Cut Pro
Presets
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
DaVinci Resolve Macros
Plugins
Adobe Premiere Pro
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array License
Storyblocks has two licensing options: Individual License and Business License. Both licenses are royalty-free, valid worldwide, cover unlimited projects - both personal and commercial - with the unlimited production budget, and allow unlimited distribution for print, digital, and production. For most creators (freelancers, content creators. bloggers, Instagram influencers, YouTube vloggers, etc.) Individual License is a better choice as it includes indemnification up to $20,000. The Business license includes indemnification up to $1,000,000 and is better suited for companies and organizations.
All the assets you download while your Storyblocks subscription is active are yours to use forever, even if you decide to cancel your membership.
Motion Array offers a standard, universal license. You can use most assets in the library - with the exception of those that are labeled “For Editorial Use Only” - in personal and commercial projects (social media, advertising, marketing campaigns, YouTube videos, live events, feature films, sports programming, broadcast television, non-profit communications, and company communications). Anything you create while your Motion Array subscription is active will be covered forever. However, if you decide to cancel your membership, you won't be able to use the downloaded assets in any future projects.
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Is It Worth It To Purchase Stock Footage Subscription?
Storyblocks is a good stock footage site that has millions of digital assets. I can use any of the videos, audio, and photos I download in all of my personal and commercial projects, and the monthly price is just $30 for unlimited downloads. So for me, Storyblocks is worth it.
Motion Array is a great stock media company that has a wide array of digital assets including the world's largest Premiere Pro plugins library. It is very affordable: for as low as $20 a month you get unlimited downloads of all files in the library and everything is royalty-free and can be used for commercial purposes.
Storyblocks vs. Motion Array Which One Is Better?
Both Storyblocks and Motion Array are excellent, affordable stock media sites, and which one to choose depends on your needs. I have both subscriptions and use them for different purposes.
Motion Array is cheaper but the library is smaller than Storyblocks'. However, with Motion Array, you get a bigger variety of digital assets and a vast catalog of Premiere Pro plugins. Storyblocks has its own online video editor, Maker, included in the subscription, which is very convenient for video creators. Motion Array subscription includes two excellent tools - Portfolio Website Builder that enables members to create video portfolio websites in a matter of minutes, and Review Tool that allows you to share your videos in real-time with clients and team members.
All assets in both Storyblocks and Motion Array libraries come with a royalty-free license. The only difference is that you can use all the files downloaded from Storyblocks in any of your future projects even if your subscription is no longer active, and with Motion Array, you can only use the downloaded files as long as you remain a paying member (however, everything you create while your subscription is active will be covered forever).