Pixieset alternatives: where to move your galleries, and how to leave without losing a single client
Six tools in detail, the real cost of the Pixieset stack, and an eight-step exit plan.
The short answer: Pic-Time if you shoot weddings and want to sell more albums and prints; ShootProof if you deliver high volumes and refuse to pay commission; SmugMug if you want unlimited photo storage with print fulfillment handled for you; CloudSpot if you need the cheapest way to keep delivering. If Studio Manager was your real reason for staying, HoneyBook and Dubsado replace that part with a proper client workflow. One thing to know before you pick: Pixieset has no bulk export on the photographer side. You download galleries one at a time, so start well before you cancel. We compared these six tools and their official pricing pages in 2026.
The ranking is editorial: a sponsored spot is always labeled on its card, and no affiliate link changes a score.
Why photographers outgrow Pixieset
Pixieset gets a lot right: clean galleries, a simple interface, a handy Lightroom plugin and a free plan to start on. Founded in Vancouver in 2013, it became the default tool for a lot of wedding and family photographers. People don't leave because of the galleries. They leave because of the bill, the lock-in and the exit.
Three subscriptions for one business
Pixieset sells five products: Client Gallery, Website, Studio Manager, Store and the Mobile Gallery App. Billed yearly, Gallery Plus ($16), Website Plus ($12) and Studio Manager Plus ($12) add up to $40 a month. Suite Starter bundles everything for $28, but caps you at 100 GB. At the Pro level it's $60 separately versus $38 for Suite Pro.
A 15% cut on the free plans
The free gallery plan gives you 3 GB and takes 15% of every store sale. The free website keeps a Pixieset banner, caps you at 15 pages and also takes 15%. Commission drops to 0% from Gallery Basic, $8 a month billed yearly. Past about $53 of sales a month ($67 if you pay monthly), the free plan costs more than Basic.
Support that copies and pastes
Pixieset's review scores are split. On one of the big review sites, almost half of its reviews are one star. The same complaints come back: canned chat replies, uploads that fail, slow refunds on dark prints. Users also like the clean interface, so the frustration is about help, not about the product.
Canceling can close your account on the spot
Several users describe an account closed the moment they canceled, with no refund for the rest of the period. Another lost access after the domain behind their login email expired. Either way, your galleries go with the account. That makes the order of your exit important.
No bulk export for you
Your client can download a whole gallery as a ZIP. You get no button to pull your whole account at once. One photographer describes unlocking each gallery and downloading it like a client, about seven hours of work. The longer you stay, the longer the exit.
The Flothemes precedent
In 2021 Pixieset bought Flothemes, the WordPress theme shop many photographers used for their sites. Flothemes later shut down, with no automatic migration to Pixieset websites. Reviewers still bring it up. When one vendor holds your site, galleries and contracts, its product decisions become your problem.
You're leaving because… go to…
The right Pixieset alternative depends on what you sell and what you want to stop paying for. One card usually fits better than the others. Each one jumps to the full write-up below.
Automated marketing and albums, from $7 a month billed yearly.
You deliver huge volumes and want zero commissionShootProof0% commission, plans up to unlimited storage.
You want unlimited storage and hands-off printingSmugMugUnlimited photos on every plan, from $20 a month billed yearly.
You just need a cheap way to keep deliveringCloudSpot5 GB free, paid plans listed from $7.
Studio Manager is the part you really usedHoneyBookInquiries, proposals, contracts and payments, from $29 a month billed yearly.
You want deep workflows without a monthly billDubsadoWorkflows on Premier, $525 a year, 21-day trial.
Pixieset alternatives, tool by tool
For each tool: why move to it, who it fits, its catch, how to bring over what you get out of Pixieset, and what it costs. Prices come from each official pricing page in 2026, in US dollars.
Pic-Time: the pick for wedding photographers who sell
Album salesWhy switch to Pic-Time. It's the alternative that comes up most when photographers compare against Pixieset, and the reason is sales. Pic-Time is built for what happens after the shoot: automated email campaigns that nudge clients back to the gallery, album and print sales, and polished gallery designs. On Professional and Advanced, it takes no commission on payments you collect yourself.
Who it's for. Wedding and family photographers who make as much from prints and albums as from the session fee.
Who it's not for. Someone who wants the lightest possible delivery tool. Pic-Time has more settings than Pixieset, and more to learn.
The catch. Public reviews are polarized: plenty of praise for the design, plus stories of slow support (one user waited 20 hours), stuck uploads and deleted wedding galleries. The help center explains the last one. After a downgrade to free, Pic-Time deletes galleries from oldest to newest until you're back at 3 GB, and an overage on a small plan triggers deletion 45 days later. Watch your storage.
How to migrate. Pic-Time has run a paid assisted import from Pixieset before, but the offer on its page is marked as ended, so plan for a manual move. Download each Pixieset gallery in original quality, then re-upload it under the same name. Start with weddings that are still selling.
Price. Free with 10 GB, dropping to 3 GB after 3 months. Beginner $7 a month billed yearly ($8 monthly, 20 GB), Professional $21 ($25, 100 GB), Advanced $42 ($50, unlimited). Add-ons: 100 GB of video for $10 a month, $6 a month per extra brand, on Advanced only. 30-day trial of Advanced, no card.
- Price
- from $7/mo yearly
- Trial
- 30 days, no card
- Best for
- weddings, album sales
- Catch
- strict storage cleanup
ShootProof: high volume, no commission
High volumeWhy switch to ShootProof. ShootProof takes 0% commission on sales, and its invoices are commission-free too. The top plans go up to unlimited storage with video included. It's the tool for photographers who deliver a lot of images: schools, sports leagues, events.
Who it's for. High-volume shooters and anyone who wants a flat price instead of a percentage of every print.
Who it's not for. Someone who wants a full website in the same subscription. ShootProof focuses on delivery and selling.
The catch. The free plan is a demo: 100 photos and no video. The real entry point is Starter, with only 20 GB, so most working photographers land on Standard.
How to migrate. Download your Pixieset galleries one by one and re-upload them, starting with the ones that still sell. The 14-day trial needs no card, which is enough to rebuild your price sheet and send one gallery to a friendly client first.
Price. Starter $8.33 a month billed yearly ($9.99 monthly, 20 GB), Standard $16.67 ($19.99, 100 GB), Professional $26.67 ($31.99, 1 TB plus 50 GB of video), Premium $50 ($60, unlimited plus 150 GB of video).
- Price
- from $8.33/mo yearly
- Commission
- 0%
- Best for
- schools, sports, events
- Catch
- free plan is 100 photos
SmugMug: unlimited storage and printing handled for you
Unlimited storageWhy switch to SmugMug. Every SmugMug plan stores unlimited photos. It handles print fulfillment, lets you set your own margins, and includes a portfolio site in the same subscription. If you treat your gallery host as your long-term archive, that changes the math.
Who it's for. Photographers with years of archives online who sell prints and don't want to ship anything themselves.
Who it's not for. Someone just starting out, or who wants a highly customized website. There's no free plan, and site templates leave less room than a dedicated builder.
The catch. RAW files cost an extra $10 a month, up to 1 TB. And price hikes have pushed some users out before: one photographer on a forum explains leaving SmugMug for Pixieset over exactly that.
How to migrate. Re-upload the galleries you downloaded from Pixieset, then rebuild your site. The 14-day trial is enough for one gallery and a home page. Coming from another site builder too? Our guide to switching from Squarespace covers the site side. If you need a stronger portfolio, see our photography website builder ranking.
Price. Direct $20 a month, Portfolio $23.50, Pro $37, all billed yearly.
- Price
- from $20/mo yearly
- Trial
- 14 days
- Best for
- archives, print sales
- Catch
- no free plan
CloudSpot: the budget way to keep delivering
BudgetWhy switch to CloudSpot. CloudSpot covers the basics of client delivery at a low price, and its free plan has more room than Pixieset's (5 GB against 3 GB). Photographers in CRM communities bring it up as the free option they use next to their main tools.
Who it's for. Part-time and new photographers who need clean delivery and don't sell many prints yet.
Who it's not for. Anyone selling prints on the low tiers: Free and Entry both take 15% commission, exactly the thing you may be leaving Pixieset to escape.
The catch. The pricing page is hard to read. It mixes regular prices with intro promos and a yearly bonus, and doesn't make the billing period obvious. Check the exact amount at checkout before you commit.
How to migrate. No import from Pixieset. Re-upload your active galleries first and send clients the new links; leave the archives for later.
Price. Free with 5 GB (15% commission). Paid plans are listed at $7 for Entry (15 GB, 15% commission), $17 for Lite (100 GB), $34 for Pro (500 GB) and $50 for Unlimited.
- Price
- paid plans listed from $7
- Free
- 5 GB, 15% commission
- Best for
- part-time photographers
- Catch
- confusing billing page
HoneyBook: replace Studio Manager with a real client workflow
Client managementWhy switch to HoneyBook. If Studio Manager was the part of Pixieset you lived in (inquiries, proposals, contracts, invoices), a dedicated client tool goes much further. HoneyBook runs the whole booking flow from first inquiry to final payment. You then pair it with any gallery tool on this page.
Who it's for. HoneyBook is a complement, not a gallery host: you keep delivering with Pixieset Free or Basic, or with Pic-Time. The pair costs about $36 a month billed yearly (Pic-Time Beginner $7 + HoneyBook Starter $29), against $28 for Pixieset Suite Starter. It's worth it for US photographers who book a lot of sessions and want inquiries, contracts and payments in one place.
Who it's not for. Anyone outside the US and Canada, and anyone hoping to cut costs: HoneyBook is not a gallery, so you add a subscription instead of replacing one.
The catch. HoneyBook has its own price history and limits. Our guide to switching from HoneyBook covers them in detail, and it's worth reading before you sign up.
How to migrate. Save your Studio Manager contracts, quotes and invoices as PDFs, then rebuild your templates in HoneyBook. Move active clients first, past clients last.
Price. Starter $29 a month, Essentials $49, Premium $109, all billed yearly.
- Price
- from $29/mo yearly
- Replaces
- Studio Manager
- Best for
- high-booking US studios
- Catch
- no galleries
Dubsado: deep workflows, paid once a year
WorkflowsWhy switch to Dubsado. Dubsado is the other big client-management tool photographers use next to their gallery host. It shines on workflows: questionnaires, contracts, invoices and reminders that fire in sequence after each booking. It's a solid Studio Manager replacement if you want more automation.
Who it's for. Dubsado replaces Studio Manager, not your galleries: keep Pixieset Free or Basic, or Pic-Time, for delivery. With Premier ($525 a year, about $44 a month) plus Pic-Time Beginner ($7), the pair runs about $51 a month, against $28 for Suite Starter. It pays off for photographers who build their process once and let it run.
Who it's not for. Someone who wants to be set up in an afternoon. Dubsado takes time to configure, and it doesn't deliver galleries.
The catch. The workflows are the reason to pick Dubsado, and Starter doesn't include them: it has one form and no workflows or scheduling. You need Premier, at $525 a year, paid upfront. Pair it with Pic-Time or ShootProof for delivery.
How to migrate. Export your Studio Manager documents as PDFs, rebuild one workflow for your most common session type during the 21-day Premier trial (no card needed), and add the others once it runs.
Price. Starter $335 a year, Premier $525 a year (workflows and scheduling). Three extra users are free. 21-day trial of Premier, no card.
- Price
- Premier $525/year
- Trial
- 21 days
- Best for
- automated booking
- Catch
- no workflows on Starter
What each tool costs to start and to grow
Monthly prices from each official pricing page in 2026, billed yearly where the vendor offers it. Gallery tools and client tools sit side by side because many photographers pay for both. CloudSpot is left out: its page doesn't make the billing period clear enough to compare fairly.
| Entry paid plan | Free plan, trial and commission | |
|---|---|---|
| PixiesetWhere you are | Gallery Basic $8 (10 GB); Suite Starter $28 (100 GB) | Free 3 GB at 15% commission; 0% from Basic |
| Pic-TimeWeddings, sales | Beginner $7 (20 GB); Professional $21 (100 GB) | Free 10 GB, then 3 GB; 30-day trial, no card |
| ShootProofHigh volume | Starter $8.33 (20 GB); Standard $16.67 (100 GB) | Free 100 photos; 0% commission; 14-day trial |
| SmugMugUnlimited storage | Direct $20 (unlimited photos) | No free plan; 14-day trial |
| HoneyBookClient management | Starter from $29 | No galleries: add a gallery tool |
| DubsadoWorkflows | Starter $335 a year; Premier $525 (workflows) | No galleries; 21-day trial, no card |
Prices from official pricing pages in 2026, billed yearly where offered, before tax, subject to change.
Leave Pixieset in eight steps
Order matters: save the files first, tell clients second, cancel last. Canceling can close your account immediately, so nothing should live only on Pixieset when you click that button.
List every gallery you have
Day 1Sort your galleries into three groups: still selling or in proofing, recently delivered, and archive. Note the name, client and shoot date for each. Then write down what you pay for (Gallery, Website, Studio Manager or Suite) and your renewal date if you're on a yearly plan. That list tells you how many hours to budget.
- Time
- about an hour
- Risk if rushed
- a forgotten gallery
Check where your originals live
The Lightroom plugin publishes copies to Pixieset, not your source files. Confirm your originals sit on your drive or backup for every gallery you want to keep. You only need to download from Pixieset the galleries you no longer have locally, which can save hours.
- Tool
- Lightroom Classic
- Payoff
- hours of downloads saved
Download galleries one at a time
Longest stepPixieset has no account-wide export. For each gallery you need, enable downloads and grab the full ZIP in original quality (not high-res or web size). Name each ZIP after its gallery. One photographer spent about seven hours on a full account, so spread it over a few evenings if your archive is large.
- Format
- ZIP, original quality
- Time
- several hours
Keep the Lightroom plugin until the end
Don't uninstall the Pixieset plugin while you're still migrating. On Adobe's forums, photographers explain that removing it breaks the link between published collections and their galleries. While you move, those links tell you which collection went to which client.
- When
- after the last gallery
- Risk if rushed
- orphaned collections
Save contracts, quotes and invoices
If you use Studio Manager, save signed contracts, open quotes and invoices as PDFs. Your accountant will want invoices for years after you leave. List any deposits still due and let them clear before you switch off payments.
- Format
- Keep
- invoices, signed contracts
Rebuild active galleries during the trial
Start the new tool's trial with one live gallery. Check it on a phone, try the client download and the store. Then move the other active galleries. Archives come last; nothing is waiting on them.
- Time
- length of the trial
- Order
- selling galleries first
Tell clients and repoint your domain
Send each client with an active gallery a short email with the new link. If you use a custom domain, point it at the new tool. And check the email address on your Pixieset login: if its domain lapses, you can lose access before you've finished.
- Who to tell
- active clients
- Check
- login email
Cancel, or park on the free plan
LastOnce everything is saved, you have two options. If old links need to stay live for a few months and those galleries fit in 3 GB, downgrade to the free gallery plan instead of canceling. Otherwise, cancel from your dashboard. Never do it before downloads are done: users report accounts closed on the spot, with no refund.
- Option
- free plan, 3 GB
- Risk if rushed
- account closed instantly
Is your tool missing from this page? Email us: hello@hackceleration.com
What makes a Pixieset exit go wrong
The same mistakes come up in reviews from photographers who left. None of them is technical. They're oversights, and each costs more than the time it would have taken to avoid it.
Canceling before downloading
Canceling can close the account right away, and the galleries go with it. Download, check the ZIPs, then cancel.
Downloading web-size files
The ZIP comes in original, high-res and web size. Only original keeps delivery quality. A web-size archive won't print when a client asks two years from now.
Removing the Lightroom plugin early
Without it, published collections lose their link to galleries. You no longer know which collection went to which client.
Forgetting galleries that still sell
Wedding galleries often sell albums months after the day. Move those first and tell the couple before the old link dies.
Ignoring storage rules at the new host
At Pic-Time, an overage on a small plan means deletion 45 days later, and a downgrade to free trims old galleries to 3 GB. Keep your archive elsewhere.
Paying twice without noticing
A yearly Pixieset plan renews on its own. Note the renewal date on day one, and switch before it, not after.
- Galleries listed: selling, delivered, archive
- Originals found on your drive or backup
- Missing galleries downloaded as original-quality ZIPs
- Lightroom plugin still installed
- Contracts, quotes and invoices saved as PDFs
- Pending deposits collected
- Active galleries rebuilt and checked on a phone
- Clients emailed the new links
- Custom domain repointed
- Cancel or downgrade to free, last
Pixieset alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best free Pixieset alternative?
CloudSpot, if you need room: its free plan gives 5 GB, against 3 GB at Pixieset, though it also takes 15% on sales. Pic-Time starts at 10 GB but drops to 3 GB after three months. ShootProof's free plan stops at 100 photos. For paid work, a $7 to $8 entry plan beats any free tier once you sell prints.
Pixieset vs Pic-Time: which one should I pick?
Pic-Time if you sell albums and prints, Pixieset if you mostly want fast, simple delivery. Pic-Time adds automated email campaigns after the shoot, which Pixieset doesn't have. It's slightly cheaper to start ($7 against $8 a month billed yearly), but its storage cleanup rules are stricter, so watch your usage.
Pixieset vs ShootProof: what's the difference?
ShootProof is built for volume and charges no commission at any level, including its invoices; Pixieset charges 15% only on its free plans. ShootProof's top plans include video storage (50 GB on Professional, 150 GB on Premium). Pixieset wins if you also want a website in the same account.
How do I move my galleries off Pixieset?
One gallery at a time: there's no bulk export for photographers. Download each as a ZIP in original quality and re-upload it to the new tool. Save hours by checking which galleries you still have in Lightroom or on a backup first; you don't need to download those again.
Does Pixieset take a commission on sales?
Only on the free plans: 15% on the free gallery and the free website. From Gallery Basic ($8 a month billed yearly), commission is 0%. Past about $53 of sales a month ($67 if you pay monthly), Basic costs less than the cut.
What does Pixieset really cost with the website and Studio Manager?
Billed yearly, $40 a month on separate Plus plans ($16 gallery, $12 website, $12 Studio Manager), or $28 on Suite Starter. At Pro level, $60 separately versus $38 on Suite Pro. Watch the caps: Suite Starter includes 100 GB and 500 emails; extra emails cost $10 a month per 5,000.
What's the best Pixieset alternative for wedding photographers?
Pic-Time, for album sales and automated follow-ups. Pair it with HoneyBook or Dubsado if you also need inquiries and contracts. Aim for at least 100 GB for weddings, which means Professional at Pic-Time ($21 a month billed yearly). Our CRM ranking for freelancers compares the client tools.
Are Zenfolio and Pixpa worth a look?
They come up in most comparison lists, but neither shows prices clearly enough for us to compare them fairly in 2026. Pixpa also publishes many of the Pixieset comparison articles that rank on Google, so read those with that in mind. If one tempts you, use its trial and check the exact amount at checkout.
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One tool to leave, the right places to go, one exit plan. Nothing else.