Sell AI Art in 2025: Open Marketplaces vs. Closed Ecosystems
Published on
So, you've been creating some incredible visuals with AI and are wondering if you can turn that creativity into cash. The good news is: you absolutely can. The bad news? The landscape for selling AI art in 2025 is a bit of a minefield, and a lot of the old advice is now flat-out wrong.
This guide cuts through the noise. We'll break down the two main paths you can take to sell your work and show you exactly which platforms fit into each, so you can choose the right strategy from the start.
The Big Split: Open Marketplaces vs. Closed Ecosystems
The world of selling AI art has split into two very different models. Understanding this is the key to avoiding rejected images and wasted effort.
Path 1: Open Marketplaces (Bring Your Own Art)
These are platforms that let you upload and sell art you've created with your own favorite tools, like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, or our own powerful ArtigenV2. They work like traditional stock photo sites but have updated their policies to include AI.
- Who are they? Adobe Stock is the biggest player. Other great options include Dreamstime, 123RF, and Vecteezy.
- The Upside: Complete creative freedom. You can use any tool you like and sell the same artwork on multiple sites to maximize your reach.
- The Downside: The legal responsibility is on you. You need to follow each site's strict labeling rules and ensure your work is commercially safe.
Path 2: Closed Ecosystems (Use Our Tool)
These are industry giants that took a more cautious route. Worried about legal issues, they've banned externally generated AI art. Instead, they've built their own AI image generators.
- Who are they? Shutterstock and iStock (by Getty Images) are the main players here.
- The Upside: The images are generally considered "commercially safe" because they were trained on fully licensed content. This gives buyers (and you) peace of mind.
- The Downside: You're locked into their system. You can only use their generator, and the art you create can only be sold on their platform. You can't sell your own art here; you can only make art for them.
Where to Sell Your Art: A Detailed Look
Open Marketplace: Adobe Stock
If you want to sell the art you're already creating, this is your best starting point. Adobe's direct integration with its Creative Cloud apps gives you access to a massive market of designers.
They have clear guidelines for AI content and offer a 33% royalty rate. It's the king of open marketplaces for a reason.
Open Marketplace: Dreamstime
Dreamstime is a long-standing and respected platform with a huge community.
It's very competitive, but it's a solid place to build a diverse portfolio. They offer a flexible revenue share (25-60%) which is great for dedicated contributors.
Open Marketplace: 123RF
With over 5 million buyers, 123RF is another strong option to expand your reach.
They have an enticing commission structure that ranges from 30% to 60%, rewarding you as you grow on the platform.
Open Marketplace: Vecteezy
Vecteezy is a great platform for getting your work in front of a fresh audience.
They offer a straightforward 50-50 revenue share. While sales might be slower than the bigger sites, it's a valuable part of a multi-platform strategy.
Conclusion: What's Your Strategy?
Selling AI art is no longer a niche idea—it's a real business opportunity. Your strategy depends on your goals.
- For creative freedom and control, focus on Open Marketplaces like Adobe Stock and Dreamstime.
- For potential legal safety and a different revenue model, explore the tools within Closed Ecosystems like Shutterstock and iStock.
Whichever path you choose, success hinges on quality. Research current trends, read the submission guidelines for each site carefully, and keep creating fresh, high-quality images.