Alamy
Alamy is a UK-based privately held online stock content agency operating one of the world's largest libraries of 296+ million licensed photographs, videos, vectors, and editorial images, serving creative professionals, news organizations, and enterprise media buyers through a self-serve marketplace and dedicated enterprise licensing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersAbingdon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Alamy does
Alamy is a UK-headquartered, privately held online stock content agency founded in 1999 and based in Abingdon, operating one of the world's largest libraries of licensed visual content with 296+ million assets spanning stock photographs, 21+ million vectors, 7+ million illustrations, 18+ million videos, and 360° panoramic images. The platform is structured around two main divisions — Creative content for commercial use (marketing, advertising, publishing, web design) and Editorial content for news, sports, and entertainment coverage — with a deliberate policy of accepting only authentic, non-AI-generated imagery.
The platform is built on cloud infrastructure with AWS-backed AI capabilities, most notably the April 2026 launch of Alamy Smart Search, which combines keyword matching with semantic technology to improve content discovery. Distribution occurs through a self-serve e-commerce site, dedicated enterprise sales, an API for partner integrations, and localized storefronts in the UK, Germany, France, and Italy. Exclusive editorial agreements with Associated Press and PA Media, plus a network of 20+ distribution partners (Xinhua, dpa picture alliance, UPI, AFP, and others), anchor the editorial offering.
Alamy operates a two-sided marketplace monetizing through transaction fees on royalty-free and rights-managed image licensing, video licensing, credit-pack purchases, and marketplace commissions on contributor sales. Enterprise customers (BBC, Associated Press, Droga5, BBH, Squarespace) access custom licensing via direct sales, while SMB and individual buyers transact through self-serve. Revenue and ownership details beyond the founding entity (Alamy Ltd.) are not publicly disclosed.
Alamy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alamy
- Legal name
- Alamy Ltd.
- Website
- https://alamy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Alamy is a UK-based privately held online stock content agency operating one of the world's largest libraries of 296+ million licensed photographs, videos, vectors, and editorial images, serving creative professionals, news organizations, and enterprise media buyers through a self-serve marketplace and dedicated enterprise licensing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alamy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Stock Photography and Media Marketplace
- NAICS
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms (BPAMAJAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Footage & Stock Media Licensing (Archival/Newsreel/Stock) (MPADALAD), Content Syndication, Distribution & Rights Management Platforms (BPAMAJAN)
Keywords
Where Alamy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abingdon
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Alamy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Image Licensing: Revenue generated from licensing stock photos to customers. The platform offers both royalty-free and rights-managed image licensing, with customers purchasing image packs or credit packs to download high-resolution content.
- Video Licensing: Revenue from licensing video content including 4K and HD footage from the 18+ million video collection, in partnership with Stocksy, Yay Media, Depositphotos, and other video providers.
- Contributor Image Sales: Alamy operates as a marketplace connecting photographers and content creators with buyers, taking a commission on each transaction between contributors and customers.
- Enterprise Licensing: Custom licensing solutions for enterprise customers with specialized needs, offering tailored agreements for larger-scale content usage.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Royalty-Free Licensing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Rights-Managed Licensing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Credit Packs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Alamy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alamy operates an online stock photography and media marketplace that licenses over 296 million stock photos, vectors, illustrations, 360° panoramic images, and videos to creative agencies, publishers, media companies, and individual creators. The platform aggregates content from a global network of photographers and content contributors, offering both royalty-free and rights-managed licensing options, plus a real-time Live News feed and historical archive. It monetizes by taking a commission on licensing transactions between contributors and buyers.
Product overview
Alamy operates a comprehensive stock content marketplace and platform offering over 296 million items including photographs, vectors, illustrations, 360° panoramic images, and videos. The platform is structured around two main divisions: Creative content for commercial use and Editorial content for news/journalistic purposes. Key products include the core Stock Photography, Vectors, and Illustrations libraries; 360° Panoramic Images for immersive experiences; Stock Videos in partnership with Stocksy and others; and the Archives collection of historical imagery. The platform also features Smart Search (AI-powered semantic search), Lightboxes for team collaboration, Enterprise licensing solutions, and an API for partner integrations. Content is organized through curated collections including Creative Collections (Ultimate, Vital, Foundation, Uncut), Fresh Picks, and Editorial collections, with over 50 browsable categories for discovery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Alamy Stock Photos Core photographic image library covering editorial, creative, and commercial subjects, licensed to publishers, agencies, brands, and individual creators.
- Alamy Stock Videos Royalty-free and rights-managed video footage library covering editorial, lifestyle, nature, and commercial subjects for use in publishing, advertising, and broadcast.
- Alamy Editorial Rights-managed editorial image collection covering news, sport, celebrity, cultural, and current affairs subjects for use in journalism and editorial publishing.
- Alamy Live News Real-time streaming news photo feed providing breaking news, entertainment, sport, and royal imagery from a global network of news photographers, available for immediate editorial licensing.
- Alamy Archives Historical and archival imagery collection offering rare, vintage, and culturally significant photographs for documentary, publishing, and broadcast use.
- Alamy Vectors and Illustrations Scalable vector graphics and illustration library for use in graphic design, advertising, publishing, and digital media projects.
- Alamy 360° Panoramic Images 360-degree panoramic imagery collection enabling immersive, interactive viewing for use in virtual tours, real estate, travel, and digital experiences.
- Alamy Smart Search AI-powered semantic search tool that interprets natural-language queries and conceptual prompts to surface relevant imagery across Alamy's full library, improving discovery for buyers who lack precise keywords.
- Alamy Enterprise Licensing Custom enterprise licensing program offering bespoke usage rights, indemnification, multi-seat access, and dedicated account management for large organizations with high-volume imagery needs.
- Alamy API Developer API allowing enterprise partners to integrate Alamy's image library, search, and licensing capabilities into third-party platforms, CMS systems, and creative workflows.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced search time through AI-powered semantic search technology
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Alamy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Alamy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature1 record
Alamy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology infrastructure provider powering Alamy Smart Search feature, providing cloud-based AI and semantic search capabilities for improved content discovery
- StocksycoreVideo content partnership providing access to Stocksy's premium video library within Alamy's video collection, offering high-quality film footage for licensing
- Yay MediacoreVideo content partnership adding Yay Media's footage to Alamy's video library for customer access
- DepositphotoscoreVideo content partnership integrating Depositphotos video collection into Alamy's offering
- PA VideocorePartnership with Press Association for video content covering UK news and events
- Associated Press (AP)flagshipExclusive editorial partnership providing Associated Press photography and content for Alamy's editorial collection, offering customers access to AP's award-winning photojournalism
- PA MediaflagshipExclusive editorial partnership with PA Media (formerly Press Association) for UK-based news content and imagery
- Doug PeterscoreExclusive photographer partnership providing entertainment and celebrity photography coverage
- Iain MastertoncoreFeatured photographer specializing in news and editorial coverage, particularly Scottish and UK news events
- Australian Associated PresscoreEditorial content distribution partnership providing Australian and Asia-Pacific news imagery
- Abaca PresscoreEditorial photography distribution for celebrity and entertainment coverage
- Aflo Co., Ltd.coreJapanese photo agency partnership providing Asian editorial content and imagery
- dpa picture alliancecoreGerman news agency partnership providing European editorial content coverage
- DPPI MediacoreEditorial photography distribution for sports and entertainment coverage
- Everett Collection InccoreCelebrity and entertainment photography agency providing exclusive celebrity content
- ImagocoreEuropean editorial image agency providing news and documentary photography
- Independent Photo Agency SrlminorItalian photo agency partnership for regional editorial content
- NurPhoto SRLcoreItalian news agency providing international editorial photography coverage
- PA ImagesflagshipUK Press Association image library providing British news, royal, and sports coverage
- TT News AgencycoreTurkish news agency partnership providing Middle East and regional editorial content
- UPIcoreUnited Press International news agency providing international news and feature coverage
- WENN Rights LtdcoreEntertainment news agency specializing in celebrity photography and red carpet coverage
- XinhuacoreChinese state news agency providing Asian and international news coverage
- ZUMA Press, Inc.coreGlobal news agency providing comprehensive international news and feature photography
- BiosPhotominorFeatured contributor agency specializing in wildlife and nature photography
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Alamy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alamy social profiles
Digital presenceAlamy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alamy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Alamy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alamy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Alamy
What does Alamy do?
Alamy operates an online stock photography and media marketplace that licenses over 296 million stock photos, vectors, illustrations, 360° panoramic images, and videos to creative agencies, publishers, media companies, and individual creators. The platform aggregates content from a global network of photographers and content contributors, offering both royalty-free and rights-managed licensing options, plus a real-time Live News feed and historical archive. It monetizes by taking a commission on licensing transactions between contributors and buyers.
Is Alamy a public or private company?
Alamy is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Alamy founded?
Alamy was founded in 1999. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Alamy based?
Alamy is headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Alamy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Image Licensing is the primary driver. The others are video Licensing, contributor Image Sales and enterprise Licensing.
Does Alamy have an API?
Yes. Alamy exposes a public API. Developer documentation is at www.alamy.com/api-partnerships.
What industry is Alamy in?
Alamy's product category is Stock Photography and Media Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAJAM, Stock Media, Asset Marketplaces & Licensing Platforms, with a secondary code of MPADALAD, Footage & Stock Media Licensing (Archival/Newsreel/Stock). Its NAICS code is 516210 and its SIC code is 7330.