Does iStock Offer First-Time User Discounts? – Updated on July 21. 2026

by Ivy Attie
5 minutes of reading
istock offer for first time user

If you’re new to iStock, one of your first questions will likely be, “Do they have a first-time user discount?” The answer is yes, they do. 

iStock offers a standard 10% discount for new customers, available directly on their website, that applies to your entire first purchase. However, we have even better deals! Thanks to our direct collaboration with iStock, we offer 25% and 15% discounts, valid for both new and existing customers. Why settle for a standard welcome discount when you can save more with our promo codes? 

DISCOUNT: 25%
iStock logo

25% Off All iStock Large Credit Packs (18+ Credits)

Unlock a 25% discount on all credit packs from 18 credits and up at iStock!

DISCOUNT: 15%
iStock logo

15% Off All iStock Subscriptions and Credit Packs

Enjoy a 15% discount on any iStock subscription or credit pack!

istock pricing page

Why a Discount When There’s a Free Trial?

The iStock free trial is the ultimate first-time buyer deal. You can download 10 high-quality, royalty-free images from this reputable provider for free for 1 month. 

However, the offer is first-month free for a one-year subscription; once the initial month ends, if you stay subscribed, you’ll be charged full price for the remaining 11 months. So even if you activate a trial, a discount code still comes in handy to save on your subscription if you decide that iStock is for you.

Not to mention, the free trial caps downloads at ten images and does not include videos. If you’re a first-timer with a big project in hand, this free trial will let you test the quality and suitability of the library for your goals. Still, it will likely be insufficient to complete your project. In such a case, upgrading to a larger subscription or buying a large credit pack is a much wiser choice, and our codes work for that, too!

DISCOUNT: 15%
iStock logo

15% Off All iStock Subscriptions and Credit Packs

Enjoy a 15% discount on any iStock subscription or credit pack!

Why Photocase Promo Codes Are Better?

iStock’s welcome offer gives new users who’ve never bought from iStock a 10% discount on their first order. While generous, this discount is limited. 

Many generic coupon sites claim to offer discounts on iStock. Still, they’re clickbait-y and not real: once you try to use them, you realize they only work under very specific conditions (having a new user account, for example), don’t work at all, or the site looks suspicious. 

At Photocase, we offer a 25% discount on large iStock credit packs (18+ credits) and a 15% discount on all subscriptions and credit packs, regardless of size. And both offers are available to all customers, existing and new. 

DISCOUNT: 25%
iStock logo

25% Off All iStock Large Credit Packs (18+ Credits)

Unlock a 25% discount on all credit packs from 18 credits and up at iStock!

Using our promo codes, you not only get a better discount than the welcome code, but you also know you’re obtaining the code through a reliable iStock partner, and that they’ll work no matter how many purchases you made before or how long you’ve had your account for. 

Our promo codes are a stress-free solution to save on iStock. 

istock credit packs

How Can I Save the Most on My First iStock Order?

Using promo codes is one thing; using them wisely is another. If you’re ready to purchase on iStock, there are simple ways to maximize your savings and get the most for your money: 

  • Bulk Credits: If you have a large project, use our 25% promo code for large credit packs. It’s a much higher discount than the welcome 10%, and it gives you great flexibility as iStock credits never expire. It’s also ideal if you have multiple smaller projects but an uncertain timeline, or simply like to work without monthly download restrictions.
    The more credits you buy in advance, the higher the discount and the lower each download will cost. 
  • Annual Subscriptions: Using our 15% off everything promo code, you get a higher discount than iStock’s welcome one in any plan of your choice, and that’s already a nice saving opportunity. But to really take advantage of this code, consider a high-volume, annual subscription. These plans have the lowest per-download rates of all, and by hiring them for a year, you’re extending your promo code’s benefits for twelve months. 
  • Separate Purchases: Say you need images regularly, but you may occasionally need videos or exclusive, higher-end photos. In this case, buying an annual image subscription and a credit pack makes sense; you can use the subscription for your everyday needs, and download footage or Signature content on demand using the credits. The smartest way to save would be to buy a large credit pack with the dedicated 25% off code and separately acquire the subscription with the 15% code, all in your same account, but in two separate checkouts, to get a greater overall discount.

Getting Started on iStock

Now that you know how to save, all you need to do is start downloading. This is very easy to do: 

  • Choose one of our offers, click on the banner to reveal the promo code and copy it
  • Go to iStock’s pricing page, select the item you want and add it to your cart
  • Sign up for a new iStock account or log in to your existing one 
  • Go to the checkout page and paste the promo code in the designated field, then hit “apply” 
  • Verify in your order summary that the discount is applied and proceed to checkout
  • Done! You can start downloading first-class imagery at a discounted rate

iStock’s first-time user discount is generous, but you can start off your creative journey like a pro using our exclusive promo codes!

DISCOUNT: 25%
iStock logo

25% Off All iStock Large Credit Packs (18+ Credits)

Unlock a 25% discount on all credit packs from 18 credits and up at iStock!

DISCOUNT: 15%
iStock logo

15% Off All iStock Subscriptions and Credit Packs

Enjoy a 15% discount on any iStock subscription or credit pack!

THE AUTHOR

Ivy Attie

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