Five factors matter most when choosing gallery software: pricing model, client experience, AI tools, storage, and whether clients keep access forever or lose it when you cancel your subscription.
We cover five platforms below — including Pixbox (us), so take our perspective on competitors with appropriate skepticism. The comparison table at the bottom pulls everything into one view.
Pixieset
$10–40/mo★★★★☆Pixieset is the most widely known name in photography gallery software. The polish is real: clean templates, smooth client experience, mobile-optimized galleries. It has the largest community, the most integrations, and years of refinement. For a new photographer who wants to get started quickly and values a well-known brand, Pixieset is a reasonable choice.
Strengths
- Industry-leading gallery polish and templates
- Large community and plugin ecosystem
- Smooth mobile client experience
- Built-in print store
Weaknesses
- $10–40/mo whether you shoot or not
- 15% commission on digital sales on free plan
- No AI face matching
- Client gallery disappears if you cancel
Pricing: $10–40/mo ($120–480/yr) · Best for: Photographers starting out who want simplicity and a well-known brand
Pic-Time
$8–30/mo★★★★☆Pic-Time runs at 0% commission, which immediately sets it apart from Pixieset's free tier. The gallery experience is clean and mobile-first. The built-in print store has decent margins. AI tools are present but limited — no selfie-based face matching. Monthly subscription means the same cost regardless of how busy your season is.
Strengths
- 0% commission on all plans
- Strong print store with good lab options
- Clean mobile-first gallery
- Decent workflow automation features
Weaknesses
- $8–30/mo whether you shoot or not
- No per-event pricing
- AI tools limited — no selfie face-matching
- Gallery expires when subscription ends
Pricing: $8–30/mo ($96–360/yr) · Best for: Photographers with consistent print revenue who shoot 6+ events/month
ShootProof
$15–40/mo★★★☆☆ShootProof bundles contracts, invoicing, and gallery delivery in one tool. If your workflow currently spans multiple apps for booking, contracts, and delivery, consolidating into ShootProof makes sense. Gallery quality is solid. The main drawbacks are the monthly fee regardless of shoot volume and the complete absence of AI features.
Strengths
- Contracts + invoicing bundled with gallery
- 0% commission
- Good client communication tools
- Decent mobile app
Weaknesses
- $15–40/mo regardless of shoot volume
- No AI face matching
- Storage limits on lower tiers
- Client gallery tied to photographer subscription
Pricing: $15–40/mo ($180–480/yr) · Best for: Portrait photographers who want contracts + gallery in one monthly subscription
Pixbox
Best for flexible pricing$0/mo base — $59/$149 per event★★★★★Pixbox is built around a different pricing philosophy: pay when you shoot, pay nothing when you don't. Activate an event for $59 (Standard) or $149 (Premium) and that covers storage, AI face matching, and a one-link gallery for the event window. After delivery, the album transfers to the client's account — they keep it whether you renew Pixbox or not. AI face matching is included on every paid event.
Strengths
- $0 in months with no events booked
- 0% commission at every tier
- AI face matching included on all paid events
- Client album persists after you deliver — host-owned forever
- First event free, no credit card
Weaknesses
- Per-event model costs more at 15+ events/year vs cheap monthly plans
- Smaller community than Pixieset
- No built-in print store yet (planned)
Pricing: Free → $59 Standard → $149 Premium per event · Best for: Event photographers doing 1–12 events/year who want $0 in slow months
Google Drive
Free optionFree–$9.99/mo★★☆☆☆Google Drive is what photographers use before they invest in real gallery software. It is free, clients know how to use it, and the files never expire as long as you maintain the folder. What it cannot do: create a gallery experience, sort photos by face, manage download permissions, push photos to a guest list, generate share codes, or give clients a branded delivery that feels professional.
Strengths
- Effectively free for most use cases
- Universal familiarity — clients know how to use it
- Files don't expire on their own
Weaknesses
- No gallery experience — clients see a raw folder
- No face matching or AI tools
- No per-guest access controls
- No client management or delivery tracking
- Photographer controls the folder — client loses access if you delete it
Pricing: Free–$9.99/mo · Best for: Casual photographers who only need basic file storage, not a client experience
Full comparison table
Ready to try the per-event model?
First event is free on Pixbox — no credit card, no monthly commitment. Activate Standard ($59) or Premium ($149) when you book your next shoot.