AI keywording tools for stock photographers (2026)
Tools for stock photographers come in two kinds: those that write keywords with AI and those that upload photos to agencies. Few do both and also adapt the metadata to each agency. This table compares the main ones as of October 2026, using what each says on its own website.
Written by Tagvora, which is one of the tools in the table. That's why we only list facts from each website, without ratings, and say when another one suits you better.
Comparison
| Tool | Runs on | Adapts to each agency | Uploads to the agency | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tagvora | Web | Yes: title, description, keywords, categories, AI and editorial on 7 agencies | FTP to 6 agencies + folder for ESP (iStock) | Free 15 photos/month; €15–36/month (founders −30%) |
| Artushvision | Windows | Mainly Getty (offline dictionary) and categories | FTP | $39.99 one-off + AI billed separately (OpenRouter) |
| AutoKeyWorder | Browser extension | Each site's limits and categories | Fills in the upload form | Packs or $6.99–49.99/month |
| Rastock | Web + extension + API | Per-agency rules | FTP/SFTP | $9–99/month depending on number of agencies |
| PixTagger | Web | List per agency; Getty vocabulary | No (CSV) | Packs $9–99 |
| PixelKey | Web + Lightroom | Per-agency CSV with checks | No (CSV) | Packs $10–249 |
| Xpiks | Windows, Mac and Linux | No: same metadata for all | FTP to any server | Free / €49 / €99/year with AI |
| StockSubmitter | Windows (+ web) | No (no AI) | Submits to review on about 40 agencies | Free–€62.50/month by submissions |
From each tool's website, checked on 22 October 2026 (PixTagger on the 28th). Prices may have changed: check their websites.
Which one, for what you need
- Cheap tagging on a Windows computer with local AI: Artushvision (one-off payment).
- iStock / Getty Images only: PixTagger or Artushvision, which work Getty's vocabulary in depth.
- Filling in each agency's web forms, print-on-demand shops included: AutoKeyWorder.
- Submitting to review on many agencies (about 40) without AI: StockSubmitter.
- Editing metadata by hand in a desktop app with generic FTP: Xpiks.
- AI, a different version for each agency and upload in one place, paying per photo rather than per agency: Tagvora. It also includes model releases signed on a phone, automatic editorial captions and blocking AI images on agencies that don't accept them.
What to check before choosing
- Does it really adapt to each agency? At least: ordered keywords for Adobe, a full sentence for Shutterstock and Getty-style terms for iStock (see what each agency requires).
- Does it charge per agency or per photo? If you upload to 5 agencies, per-agency or per-submission pricing multiplies the cost.
- Does it keep the metadata inside the file? Embedded metadata (IPTC/XMP) can be read later by any agency or app.
- What does it promise for iStock? Getty doesn't give contributors FTP: uploads go through ESP.
More guides
- Keywords for Adobe Stock and Shutterstock: what's different
- How to upload to iStock / Getty Images with ESP without losing keywords
- Shutterstock: why your photos show “Needs attention”
- What each stock agency requires in 2026: the table
- How to upload photos to several stock agencies at once
- Alamy: captions, tags and supertags, step by step
- Dreamstime by FTP: how to set categories with its CSV
- 123RF by FTP: no title and the “Upload Via FTP” step
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