Pixieset and SmugMug are both popular options for professional photographers looking for an online platform to showcase and sell their work.
Both platforms offer a range of features and tools for managing a photography business, including galleries, eCommerce capabilities, and client management tools.
In this blog post, we will compare Pixieset and SmugMug to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your business.
We will examine their pricing, features, and user experience to give you a complete overview of what each platform has to offer.
Whether you are a professional photographer just starting out, or an experienced pro looking to switch platforms, this comparison will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
What is Pixieset?
Pixieset is a website that allows photographers to showcase their work to clients. It has a variety of features that make it simple to share and organize your images.
You can construct online galleries and upload your photos to them before sharing them with your clients.
This makes it extremely simple for your clients to view your images and select their favorites, as well as for you to keep track of what they select.
Pixieset also provides tools to assist you in running your photography company. You can track orders, manage client information, and even use the website builder to create a professional website.
You may sell prints and other things online using the website builder, which provides unique branding choices.
What is SmugMug?
SmugMug is a picture and video-sharing platform that provides various services to both professional and amateur photographers.
Users can save, share, and sell their digital material on the platform, which includes customizable galleries, print and digital download sales, and tools for managing and promoting a photographic company.
SmugMug, in addition to its primary functionality, provides a variety of services for picture editing, sharing, and management. The platform was established in 2002 and is based in Redwood City, California.
It is popular among photographers seeking a platform to promote and sell their work and individuals and organizations looking for a safe and simple way to share photographs and videos with others.
Pixieset vs SmugMug: Setting Up a Website
Both Pixieset and SmugMug enable users to develop and host websites for their photography company or personal usage.
The platforms include a wide range of customizable templates and design possibilities, as well as features like galleries, client proofing, and eCommerce.
Pixieset
Creating a website using Pixieset is a simple procedure that can be finished in a few easy steps. Here’s a rundown of the procedure:
Sign up for a Pixieset account: To begin, go to the Pixieset website and select the “Sign Up” option. To establish an account, you’ll need to give some basic information, such as your name and email address.
After you’ve created your account, you’ll be directed to the website builder, where you can select a template for your website. Pixieset has a number of templates developed exclusively for photographers, and you may sample each one before choosing one.
After you’ve selected a template, you can begin modifying it by adding and rearranging pages, uploading and organizing photographs and videos, and adding text and other features.
Pixieset has a drag-and-drop interface that makes it simple to construct and personalize your website.
When you’re through editing your website, click the “Publish” button to make it online. Your website will be assigned a unique URL, which you will be able to share with clients and visitors.
SmugMug
SmugMug is a popular photo hosting and sharing platform that enables users to quickly and easily construct and personalize their own personal or professional websites. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to getting started with SmugMug:
Create a SmugMug account. Depending on your requirements, you can select from the Basic, Power, or Pro programs.
Decide on a design theme for your website. SmugMug provides several configurable layouts from which to pick, or you may develop your own custom design using HTML and CSS.
Insert your content. Upload and organize your photographs and videos into galleries and albums, as well as add text and other material like audio and PDF files.
Change the settings on your website. You can customize your website’s style and design, add custom widgets and modules, and configure its navigation system.
Join your domain. If you already own a domain name, you can link it to your SmugMug website by following the instructions in the SmugMug support center. If you don’t already have a domain name, you can get one through SmugMug or another third-party source.
Publicize your website. After you’ve created your website, you may share it with friends, family, and potential clients via social media, email, and other marketing channels.
SmugMug’s built-in SEO tools can also be used to improve your website for search engines and increase its online presence.
Verdict
Both Pixieset and SmugMug have user-friendly interfaces as well as a variety of configurable templates and design options, making it reasonably simple for users to establish a professional-looking website. Therefore, this round ends in a tie.
Pixieset vs SmugMug: Design Template
Pixieset
Pixieset’s design and template options, which allow photographers to modify the appearance and feel of their galleries to reflect their brand and aesthetic, are one of its standout features.
It provides a selection of themes for wedding photographers, portrait photographers, and commercial photographers to pick from.
Each template is totally customizable, allowing photographers to select the colors, fonts, and layouts that are most appropriate for their purposes.
Pixieset, in addition to themes, provides a variety of design elements that photographers can utilize to further customize their galleries.
These include banner images, background patterns, and logos that can be added to the gallery to create a unified and professional appearance.
Photographers can simply upload their photographs and choose their desired template and design components, and the website will generate a professional-looking online gallery for them.
This saves photographers time and effort, allowing them to concentrate on what they do best: taking excellent photos.
Here’s a quick rundown of the templates it provides:
Stanley: It is a sleek and modern design with a grid-style layout and a limited color palette. It is ideal for portrait and wedding photographers, as well as business photographers.
Edward: A traditional, elegant design with a full-width banner image and a grid-style layout, the Edward template is ideal for wedding and portrait photographers who want to create a refined and timeless style.
Canvas: The Canvas template has a simple, clean design with a grid-style structure and a focus on photos. It is ideal for photographers who want to construct a simple yet appealing internet gallery.
Avery: The Avery template is a beautiful and modern design with a grid-style layout and an emphasis on picture shows. It is ideal for portrait photographers, wedding photographers, and commercial photographers seeking a sleek and professional appearance.
West: West is a rustic, vintage-inspired design with a grid-style layout and an emphasis on showing photos. It is ideal for wedding and portrait photographers who want to create a warm and inviting look.
SmugMug
One of SmugMug’s primary advantages is the option to select from a variety of design themes.
These templates are pre-designed layouts that allow users to quickly and simply create professional-looking galleries.
The templates are totally customizable, allowing customers to change the colors, fonts, and other design elements to suit their preferences.
SmugMug, in addition to themes, provides a number of design options that allow users to further customize their galleries.
The following templates are available:
Classic: With clean lines and simple layout possibilities, these themes provide a conventional, timeless style.
Smokey: With a grid structure and bold font, this template has a dark, moody vibe.
Turbo: With a bold and energetic layout, this template is ideal for fast-paced, action-packed imagery.
Ludwig: This template has a clean, minimalist design that focuses on displaying pictures.
Arrow: The design of this template is strong and modern, with a grid layout and large, eye-catching pictures.
Deco: This template features an Art Deco-inspired retro design with a grid structure and classic fonts.
Osiris: It is a sleek and modern template with a grid structure and powerful typography.
Dash: This template has a clean and simple style that emphasizes photography.
Willow: With a grid structure and delicate font, this design has a gentler, romantic feel.
Shadow: With a grid layout and bold font, this template has a dark, brooding appearance.
Oslo: A clean and modern style with a grid structure and bold typography distinguishes this template.
Nyx: With a grid structure and bold font, this template has a sleek and modern look.
Moss: With a grid structure and delicate font, this template has a gentler, organic feel.
Cosmo: With a grid structure and bold font, this template has a modern and futuristic look.
Spartan: A bold and masculine design with a grid layout and large, eye-catching graphics characterize this template.
Koda: This template has a clean, minimalist design that focuses on displaying pictures.
Duke: A bold and masculine design with a grid layout and large, eye-catching graphics distinguish this template.
Dina: With a grid structure and delicate font, this template has a gentler, romantic appeal.
Sophie: It is similar to Dina in feel and appearance, although Sophie has a more romantic feel.
Max: The design of this template is aggressive and manly, with a grid layout and large, eye-catching graphics.
Verdict
SmugMug and Pixieset both provide a variety of templates and design options to assist users in creating professional-looking websites for their photographs. And while the specific templates and design options available on each platform may change over time, SmugMug currently provides a bit more, so it wins this round.
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Pixieset vs SmugMug: Plugin & App Support
Pixieset
Pixieset connects your Lightroom account to your Pixieset website. This plugin has various features that are beneficial to photographers who use both Pixieset and Lightroom.
The ability to post photographs straight from Lightroom to your Pixieset website is one of the main advantages of the Pixieset-Lightroom plugin.
This can save you time and work because you won’t have to manually export and upload your photographs to Pixieset.
Instead, simply select the photographs to upload and utilize the plugin to transfer them directly from Lightroom.
The Adobe Lightroom plugin allows you to synchronize your galleries between the two platforms in addition to uploading photographs.
This implies that any modifications you make to your Lightroom galleries will appear on your Pixieset website and vice versa. This is especially useful if you frequently update your galleries or if you have a large number of galleries to organize and maintain up to date.
Finally, the Pixieset-Lightroom plugin allows you to re-edit your work.
If you edit a photo in Lightroom and then submit it to Pixieset, you can use the plugin to update the version of the photo on your Pixieset website.
This is a great option for photographers who wish to quickly change their photographs without having to re-export and re-upload them.
SmugMug
SmugMug is a photo-sharing and storage service that allows users to upload and share photos with others.
SmugMug provides the possibility to download a plugin for Adobe Lightroom, a picture editing and management software.
The plugin allows users to upload photographs straight from their Lightroom account to their SmugMug account, but it offers no other functionality.
According to several customers, the SmugMug Lightroom plugin has bad ratings and is prone to crashing.
This could be due to technical issues or a flaw in the plugin’s design.
It is crucial to note that plugin performance varies based on the user’s hardware and software configuration, and some users may have a better experience with the plugin than others.
Verdict
In terms of Lightroom, Pixieset outperforms SmugMug, and the fact that SmugMug users frequently experience crashes as a result of the plugin does not help.
Pixieset vs SmugMug: Qualify of Support
Pixieset
Pixieset provides a variety of customer support alternatives to assist photographers with any inquiries or issues they may be experiencing.
A comprehensive help center with a number of tutorials and resources, as well as a searchable FAQ area, is available on the platform.
Pixieset provides email and live chat support in addition to the help center.
Photographers can contact the platform’s customer support team via the website or mobile app for assistance with any concerns or questions they may have.
Pixieset presently does not provide phone support. It may become accessible in the future, but in the meanwhile, photographers can contact the customer support team via email or live chat.
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SmugMug
SmugMug also provides a variety of customer care alternatives to assist users with any inquiries or issues they may encounter.
SmugMug also provides email and live chat help. Photographers can contact the platform’s customer support team via the website or mobile app for assistance with any concerns or questions they may have.
Their customer service team is well-known for being attentive and friendly, as well as for delivering prompt and accurate assistance.
Verdict
While neither Pixieset nor SmugMug provide phone assistance, their customer service is usually regarded as dependable and helpful.
Photographers may easily receive help via the platform’s comprehensive help center, responsive email, and live chat and phone support.
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Pixieset vs SmugMug: Pros and Cons
Pixieset Pros
Custom client galleries: Pixieset lets photographers create unique galleries for each of their clients, allowing them to set permissions, apply watermarks, and enable or disable download choices.
Digital downloads and prints: Pixieset allows photographers to sell digital files as well as physical reproductions of their photographs.
Money processing: Pixieset includes payment processing features, allowing photographers to take payments directly from clients via the platform.
Mobile app: Pixieset provides a mobile app for iOS and Android smartphones that allows photographers to manage their galleries and clients while they are on the go.
Pixieset Cons
Limited customization options: Pixieset provides fewer customization choices than some other platforms, such as adjustable templates and design options.
Limited storage capacity: Pixieset’s pricing options include storage space constraints, which may be an issue for photographers who have a significant quantity of high-resolution photographs.
Limited marketing tools: Pixieset does not provide as many marketing tools and integrations as other platforms, such as email campaigns and social network integration.
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SmugMug Pros
Customizable templates and design options: SmugMug provides photographers with a variety of templates and design options for creating a professional-looking website.
eCommerce capabilities: SmugMug provides photographers with the ability to sell digital downloads, prints, and other things straight from their website.
Password-protected galleries: Photographers can set up password-protected galleries for their clientele, allowing them to share their work with certain persons or groups.
Marketing tools: SmugMug offers a variety of marketing tools and connectors, such as email campaigns, social network integration, and search engine optimization.
SmugMug Cons
Higher pricing: SmugMug’s pricing plans may be more expensive than those of other platforms, which may be a drawback for photographers on a tight budget.
No Free Plan: If you want to use SmugMug, you must choose a membership plan that matches your needs and budget, unless you use the free trial period.
Pixieset vs SmugMug: Similarities and Differences
Both Pixieset and SmugMug are online platforms that enable photographers to promote, sell, and distribute their work to clients.
Both systems provide a variety of tools to assist photographers in managing their businesses, such as customizable websites, online galleries, and facilities for proofing and buying prints.
Also, both Pixieset and SmugMug approach payment processing similarly. They do not have their own payment channel, instead, they accept a variety of payment processors, including PayPal and Stripe.
There are, however, some significant distinctions between the two platforms. The pricing system is one significant distinction.
Pixieset costs a monthly subscription price for its services, but it starts with a “free forever” plan. SmugMug itself has several payment options, but it does not have a free plan.
Another distinction is the platforms’ focus. Pixieset caters mostly to wedding and portrait photographers, but SmugMug caters to a broader spectrum of photographers, including those that specialize in landscape, wildlife, and other genres.
Pixieset vs SmugMug: Pricing
Pixieset
Pixieset offers four premium plans and one free plan. Depending on how much money you are ready to put into your site, each has its own set of qualities.
The Free plan includes 3GB of storage, an integrated gallery storefront, online payment methods, gift cards, and automated fulfillment.
Its Basic plan costs $8 per month and includes 10GB of storage. An integrated gallery storefront, online payment methods, gift cards, and automatic fulfillment are also part of the proposal. It also allows you to connect your domain to the website, remove the Pixieset branding, and add custom logos.
Pixieset’s Plus plan is $16 and includes all of the features of the Basic plan as well as 100GB of storage.
For $24 per month, the Pro plan includes all of the preceding features as well as 1,000GB of storage.
The Ultimate plan is $40 per month and includes all of Pixieset’s features as well as limitless storage.
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SmugMug
SmugMug does not have a free plan, however, it does provide the option of paying for their plans annually and saving money.
Power plan: It costs $13 per month or $110 per year, saving you around 29%. It comes with over 21 templates and designs that you may use or customize. It also allows you to customize HTML and CSS. You can prevent right-clicking on your photos.
Portfolio plan: The plan is $28 per month or $225 per year. The Portfolio plan has all of the features of the preceding plan plus some extras. It has an optimized eCommerce gallery that allows you to order from major printing labs. You can also sell digital images and video files and establish your own pricing.
Pro plan: The Pro plan costs $42 per month or $360 per year. It has all of the features of the Portfolio plan and more. It enables you to make unique price lists for your clients, organize galleries from which they may select their preferred images, and brand dispatched orders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both sites are excellent choices for photographers wishing to showcase their work.
While both platforms provide similar features, Pixieset is a more economical choice with a strong emphasis on client galleries and providing a seamless client experience.
SmugMug on the other hand, is targeted more toward professional photographers with a greater range of capabilities and a higher price point.
Finally, the ideal option for a photographer will be determined by their specific needs and budget.
Before making a decision, it is critical to carefully analyze the features and costs of both Pixieset and SmugMug.
