Colourbox
Danish stock library selling photos, vectors and video at one price per download, with downloads valid for a year
Quick Overview
| Company | Colourbox ApS |
|---|---|
| Category | Stock Photos |
| Headquarters | Funen (Fyn), Denmark, Denmark |
| Founded | 2005 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Denmark (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages reviewed; Colourbox states it is based in Europe and GDPR compliant |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Royalty-free photos, vectors and video, editorial materials, one price per download, plans, API, educational licence, curated Nordic images |
| Pricing | Single download EUR 7.99 on the pricing page; plans lower the price per download; downloads valid for one year with carry-over |
| Best For | Buyers who prefer one price per file for photos, vectors and video and want Danish law governing the licence |
| Replaces | Shutterstock, Adobe Stock |
Detailed Review
Colourbox says it was founded in 2005 and describes itself as a Danish company with staff from more than ten countries and headquarters in the countryside of Fyn. Its model is one price per download regardless of whether the file is a photo, vector or video clip.
The terms of use state that the websites are operated by Colourbox ApS, and the licensing agreement is governed by the laws of Denmark. A separate page lists the online service providers Colourbox uses, with name and address, and a data processing agreement is available.
Pricing model
The pricing page shows a single download at EUR 7.99 and says each photograph, vector and video clip costs the same: one download. Bulk plans lower the price per download.
Downloads can be used for a year, unused downloads carry over to the new year automatically, and the plan can be upgraded, downgraded or cancelled from the account.
Licence and content
The licensing agreement has separate sections for royalty-free and editorial materials, a reasonable use policy, prices and refunds. Editorial material may only be used in editorial contexts, as the pricing page itself states.
The library adds more than 6,000 new pieces of content a day according to the pricing page, and it has curated Nordic image collections.
Plans and extras
Colourbox also offers an educational licence, an API and a supplier programme for people who sell their own images.
Limitations to Consider
Colourbox is a general library without the editorial depth of a news agency. The per-download price is the same for every file type, so a small vector costs as much as a video clip. The plan tiers did not render on the static pricing page, so check the volume price before buying.
Who Should Use Colourbox
Marketing teams and agencies in Europe that want predictable per-file pricing across photos, vectors and video.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One price per download for all content types
- Downloads valid a year and unused ones carry over
- Licence governed by Danish law
- Service provider list with addresses published
- API and educational licence
Cons
- Fixed per-download price
- Plan tiers not visible on static page
- Editorial files limited to editorial use
- Smaller archive than the largest libraries
Alternatives to Colourbox
Other European stock photos worth comparing before you decide:
Alamy
United Kingdom · UK stock library with creative and editorial images and shared subscription packs
Freepik
Spain · Spanish stock library with AI image and video generation in one subscription
mauritius images
Germany · Owner-led German agency, about 70 million RF and RM images
Shotshop
Germany · Berlin agency selling single royalty-free photos without credits or subscription
See all European stock photos or compare them directly against Shutterstock on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The pricing page shows a single download at EUR 7.99 and says plans lower the price per download.
The licensing agreement states that it is governed by the laws of Denmark.
According to the pricing page, downloads can be used over a year and unused downloads carry over to the new year automatically.