Wirestock not selling anymore? Inside the (possible) microstock scam

The story of those who paid to sell and got silence in return. Here's what's really happening on Wirestock.

Personal statement

When I discovered Wirestock, it seemed like the perfect solution for people like me who wanted to sell stock photos without wasting time managing dozens of different platforms. I even decided to invest: I paid for the annual subscription. In the first few months, I was making some sales—not a lot, but enough to keep me going. Then, suddenly, nothing. No sales. Zero. Just like me, hundreds of other users experienced the same.

The breaking point

The drop in sales on Wirestock isn’t an isolated case. On Reddit, Trustpilot, and other forums, dozens of similar testimonials emerge:

"In the first two months I sold around $10 worth. Then I upgraded to Premium. Since then, zero sales." — Reddit user, March 2025

"I used to make a sale a day. Then, 20 days of silence. Nothing."

It’s not just about declining numbers. It’s about a suspicious pattern: Wirestock appears to encourage initial sales to convince users to upgrade to Premium. Once they do... nothing.

Wirestock: how it (really) works

The concept is appealing: you upload your images, they distribute them across multiple marketplaces (Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Alamy, etc.). In return, they take a 15% commission. But there’s a catch—or rather, several:

• Images are approved or rejected based on seemingly arbitrary criteria.

• To publish on certain marketplaces, you need a paid Premium subscription.

• The "Instant Pay" system (a one-time $3.40 payout in exchange for lifetime rights) is active by default, often without the author's full understanding.

Even worse, images accepted into "Instant Pay" can be downloaded for free indefinitely on sites like Freepik, with no further royalties. And opting out isn’t always possible.

Is Wirestock a scam? We can’t say. But…

• In 2022, Adobe banned Wirestock’s entire portfolio due to violations by a single user. The result? Hundreds of innocent artists blocked without explanation.

• Wirestock continued using content even after users requested its removal.

• Some users report partial or missing payments for commissioned work via the platform.

"They owed me $450. They paid $54. Then vanished."

More serious alternatives to Wirestock

If you want to sell your images without falling into this trap, here are multiple solid alternatives:

Submission Tools (Direct-to-Marketplace)

1. Xpiks – Free, lets you submit directly to multiple agencies.

2. ImStocker – Excellent for keywording and batch preparation.

3. StockSubmitter – More advanced, supports direct uploading, editing, and keywording.

4. DeepMeta – Specifically designed for iStock/Getty submissions, highly efficient if you’re focusing on those platforms.

Sell Directly on High-Performing Stock Sites

5. Adobe Stock – Trusted, artist-friendly, no exclusivity required.

6. Shutterstock – Still among the biggest, though commission rates have dropped.

7. Alamy – Better commission rates, good for editorial and niche content.

8. Dreamstime – Medium-traffic platform with decent payouts over time.

9. 123RF – Good for beginner contributors; global buyer base.

Marketplaces Beyond Traditional Stock

10. EyeEm – Blends artistic community with commercial licensing. Images may get picked up by Getty.

11. Pond5 – Great for stock video, but also supports photo sales.

12. Can Stock Photo – Smaller marketplace but still active.

13. Picfair – You set your own prices, and they add a small markup.

14. Gumroad or Sellfy – Sell curated photo packs directly to your audience without middlemen.

Build Your Own Brand

15. Create your own portfolio site using platforms like Pixpa, SmugMug, or PhotoShelter to sell directly, retain full control, and build your mailing list.

16. Print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble, Society6, or Zazzle if you're creating designs from your photos.

17. NFT marketplaces – Niche, but platforms like Foundation or Opensea allow for experimental monetization if aligned with your brand.

    
    

Conclusion: trust only yourself

Wirestock promises simplicity—but at what cost? No sales, potentially devalued images, and zero control over distribution. In a world where every image counts, you can’t afford to give your work away.

If you’ve been burned too, share this article. The more voices speak up, the sooner we can stop this downward spiral.

Alternative SEO titles:

• "Is Wirestock a scam? An investigation into a platform in crisis"

• "I sold photos on Wirestock. Then, nothing."

• "Don’t upload your photos to Wirestock (until you read this)"

Have you had a bad experience with Wirestock? Share it in the comments