PhotoShelter vs SmugMug: Which Client Gallery is Better in 2025?

Which Client Gallery is right for you — PhotoShelter or SmugMug? In this PhotoShelter vs SmugMug comparison we’ll go through their pricing, features and alternatives so you can make the right decision.

PhotoShelter

PhotoShelter is a digital asset management (DAM) solution catering to photographers, offering tools for storing, organizing, and sharing content. As a cloud storage service, it also functions as a website and e-commerce platform, enabling photographers to upload high-resolution images, organize them into galleries, and sell prints or license digital downloads.

Best PhotoShelter Alternative

SmugMug

SmugMug is a comprehensive image sharing, hosting, and online video platform, catering mainly to amateur and professional photographers. It provides a robust package for growing a photography business, with features like ironclad security, set-and-forget sales tools, unlimited storage, and custom website tools. SmugMug stands out with its integrated e-commerce capabilities, allowing photographers to sell digital and print media, and offers a user-friendly site-building experience, making it a competitive option against platforms like Flickr and Instagram.

Best SmugMug Alternative

Compare
Features

Essentials

Unlimited Galleries

Video Upload

RAW Photo

Add-On

TIFF Upload

Email Notifications

Unlimited Images

Custom Domain

Feature Requests

Sharing & Security

Private Galleries

Watermarking

Track Activity

Password Protection

Website Embed

Collaborators

Team Members

Proofing & Workflow

Track Activity

Version Control

Favorites

Comments

Annotations

Approval Status

Approval Limits

Color Labels

Custom Labels

Review Filter

Pricing Comparison

PhotoShelter Pricing

Pricing details and plans of PhotoShelter (photoshelter.com)

PhotoShelter offers diverse pricing plans to suit different photography and storage needs. All plans offer a core set of features, varying mainly in storage capacity:

Basic Plan ($12.99/month): Includes 4GB cloud storage, a custom domain, Vimeo and Instagram integration, unlimited galleries, and SEO and social sharing tools.
Standard Plan ($29.99/month): Builds on the Basic plan with 100GB cloud storage and client-proofing capabilities.
Pro Plan ($49.99/month): Extends the Standard plan features with unlimited cloud storage.

SmugMug Pricing

Pricing details and plans of SmugMug (smugmug.com)

SmugMug offers 3 pricing plans to cater to various photography needs, from basic storage to advanced business tools:

Power Plan ($15/month): Essential features include unlimited storage and lightroom integration.
Portfolio Plan ($31/month): Adds sales and marketing tools, perfect for growing your online presence.
Pro Plan ($45/month): Advanced business features for professional photographers.

Client Gallery Alternatives

Did you consider other alternatives to PhotoShelter and SmugMug? Check out these Top 3 Client Gallery alternatives.

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