The 5 Best Pixieset Alternatives for Photographers in 2026
Outgrowing Pixieset's storage tiers or want better print sales? Here are the best Pixieset alternatives, what they cost, and how to switch without upsetting clients.
By the Terracotta team · Updated · 7 min read
Pixieset is a great place to start. Its galleries are clean, its free plan gets you going, and its website builder and studio manager are handy. But a lot of photographers hit the same wall: 10 GB on Basic is about one wedding, and the jump to Plus or Pro means paying for space you won't fill for months.
If that sounds familiar, here are the best Pixieset alternatives in 2026, depending on why you are leaving.
Terracotta
Best for Outgrowing Pixieset's storage tiers without paying for empty space
We make Terracotta, so take this pick with that in mind. The most common reason photographers leave Pixieset is storage: Basic holds 10 GB, the next step is 100 GB, and you pay for the whole tier either way. Terracotta bills by the GB with lower rates as you grow, so 40 GB costs what 40 GB costs. Clients get the same clean, image-first galleries, with favorites, downloads and a print store on every account.
What we like
- No tiers: pay only for the storage you keep, prorated to the day
- Every feature on every account, including print store and custom domain
- Curated setup fills in every gallery setting from a few questions
Watch out for
- No website builder (pair it with Showit or Squarespace)
- Newer, smaller community
Pricing Free up to 3 GB, then billed by the GB (about $6.60/mo at 25 GB, $15.60 at 100 GB, $23.85 at 250 GB)
Try Terracotta freePic-Time
Best for Photographers who want stronger print and album sales
If you leave Pixieset because you want to sell more, Pic-Time is the obvious move. Its scheduled sales campaigns and album upsells are more advanced than Pixieset's store. Read our Pic-Time vs Pixieset comparison for the details.
What we like
- Best-in-class sales automation
- Print store on every plan
Watch out for
- 15% commission on Free and Beginner
- Custom domain starts at Professional
Pricing Free (10 GB, then 3 GB) · Beginner $8/mo · Professional $25/mo · Advanced $50/mo
ShootProof
Best for Selling prints with zero commission
ShootProof's plans line up almost one-for-one with Pixieset's, so the reason to switch is the business tools: contracts, invoices and zero commission on sales, even on the free plan.
What we like
- 0% commission on every plan
- Contracts and invoicing on paid plans
- Email marketing on the free plan
Watch out for
- Older-feeling interface
- Plan structure is similar to Pixieset's tiers
Pricing Free (3 GB) · Starter $9.99/mo (20 GB) · Standard $19.99/mo (100 GB) · Professional $31.99/mo (1 TB)
CloudSpot
Best for A lower monthly bill with a light CRM
CloudSpot undercuts Pixieset by a few dollars at each level and adds a basic studio manager.
What we like
- Cheaper entry plan than Pixieset
- Studio Manager on paid plans
- 5 GB free
Watch out for
- 15% commission on Free and Entry
- Smaller ecosystem
Pricing Free (5 GB) · Entry $7/mo (15 GB) · Lite $17/mo (100 GB) · Pro $34/mo (500 GB)
SmugMug
Best for Unlimited storage for a large archive
If you need to keep years of work online, SmugMug's unlimited storage is hard to beat. For everyday client delivery it is less focused than Pixieset.
What we like
- Unlimited photo storage
- Portfolio site included
Watch out for
- No free plan, annual billing only
- Weaker client delivery workflow
Pricing Direct $20/mo · Portfolio $23.50/mo · Pro $37/mo (billed annually)
How to switch from Pixieset without upsetting clients
- Start new sessions on the new platform first. Leave existing galleries where they are until they expire.
- Move only active galleries. Download the delivered images from Pixieset and re-upload the galleries clients still use.
- Send new links with a short note. Tell clients their gallery has a new home and that nothing else changes.
- Switch in your slow season. Fewer active galleries means less to move.
Want to see how all the major platforms compare? Read our ranking of the 8 best client gallery platforms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Pixieset?
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Terracotta is the best Pixieset alternative if storage costs are the problem, because you pay only for the GB you keep and every feature is on every account. Pic-Time is best for print sales, and ShootProof for zero-commission sales.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Pixieset?
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Yes. At 25 GB, Terracotta costs about $6.60 a month versus $20 for Pixieset Plus, and CloudSpot's Entry plan is $7 for 15 GB.
