If you’re a photographer, you know the struggle of delivering images to clients efficiently while maintaining a smooth workflow. Whether you call them photo proofing galleries, shoot galleries, or photography gallery apps, these platforms make it easier to share, organize, and even sell your work.
But with so many photo galleries online free and paid options available, how do you choose the right one for your business? So here we are trying to decode the best 15 online gallery for photographers, so you can make your workflow the smoothest its ever been!
What is a Proofing Gallery?
A proofing gallery (or photographer online gallery) is an online space where clients can view, select, and sometimes even purchase images. Instead of delivering files via email or USB, a photo website gallery provides a seamless way to showcase images while offering extra functionalities like client feedback, watermarking, and print sales.
How Do Traditionally Photographers Share Images with Clients?
There are several ways photographers share their work nowadays, one of the popular ones is sending emails but not ideal for large batches. Well, next is having them on a cloud storage is simple and free, but lacks branding and customisation. The best way to present proof images professionally while allowing clients to choose favourites, download images, or even make purchases.
What to Look for in a Proofing Gallery?
Not all image gallery sites are created equal. Here are some key questions to ask yourself while selecting your best fit. Can clients choose their favourite photo proof images? Can you sell prints or digital downloads? Does the photo gallery software match my brand’s aesthetics? Does it support RAW files? Can my clients access it easily from their phones? Is it safe for my work? And we tried to answer each one them, so read along and pick your best fit.
Top 15 Online Proofing Galleries for Photographers
1. CloudSpot (Best for Automation & E-commerce)
If you want to make photo delivery and sales effortless, CloudSpot is a solid pick. It lets you send beautiful, easy-to-navigate galleries while automating a big chunk of your workflow. You can export images straight from Lightroom, sell prints with AR previews, and integrate with tools like SmartSlides and Dubsado to keep everything in sync. The process is seamless for clients too—they can proof, download, and shop in just a few clicks, making their experience smooth and frustration-free.
What sets CloudSpot apart is its built-in e-commerce capabilities with an AR preview feature for prints and a fully customizable storefront, selling photos feels effortless. Plus, its deep integrations mean you can connect everything from invoicing to gallery management in one place. The only downside? If you’re not familiar with integrations, setting things up might take some learning, but once in place, it can save hours of work.
With a free plan available and unlimited storage starting at $34/month, it’s a great choice for photographers who want to streamline their workflow while delivering a top-tier experience to clients.
2. Picflow (Best in the Market)
PicFlow is a sleek, modern gallery platform designed for creative professionals, especially photographers. It lets you showcase your work beautifully and collaborate smoothly with clients. You can create fully customizable, responsive galleries using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Plus, clients can leave comments, annotations, and feedback directly on your images, making communication seamless.
For added security, PicFlow offers password protection, expiring links, and watermarking to keep your high-res images safe. The platform also streamlines your workflow with bulk actions and keyboard shortcuts, saving you valuable time. You can upload and download any file size without waiting, and your storage is flexible—adjust it as needed without paying for unused space.
3. Pixieset (Best for All-in-One Studio Management)
Pixieset has built a strong reputation for its sleek, minimalist galleries and an expanding suite of tools that go beyond just photo proofing. Whether you need a simple gallery, video hosting, studio management, or a full-fledged website, Pixieset offers an all-in-one ecosystem designed for photographers who want everything in one place.
For those just starting out, the free plan gives you 3GB of storage—enough to test the platform and get a feel for its features. From there, pricing scales based on storage needs, with options at $8, $16, and $24 per month for up to 1TB of space. If you want unlimited storage, it’s available at $40/month. For photographers looking to bundle multiple tools, the Pixieset Suite offers a complete package, with the $38/month plan including 2TB of storage.
What sets Pixieset apart is its elegant, user-friendly design. Clients get a seamless viewing and proofing experience, while photographers can manage their business without juggling multiple platforms. The only catch? Unlimited storage comes at a higher price than some competitors. But for those who want a stylish, all-in-one solution, Pixieset is a strong contender.
4. ShootProof (Best for Contracts & Invoicing)
ShootProof isn’t just about delivering photos—it’s designed for photographers who want to streamline their entire client management process. Along with clean, user-friendly galleries, it comes packed with business tools like fill-in-the-blank contract templates, easy digital invoicing, and even optional instant payouts. If you’re looking for an all-in-one system to handle both client proofing and paperwork, this one’s worth a look.
While ShootProof’s pricing is comparable to CloudSpot at certain tiers, its storage limits are noticeably lower—25,000 images instead of 70,000. But when you factor in the built-in CRM-style features, it could still be a solid investment for photographers who need business tools alongside their gallery hosting. Unlimited storage is available, though it comes at a higher price point than most competitors.
With plans starting at $10/month, ShootProof is best suited for photographers who want to simplify both their workflow and their client communication, making contracts, invoicing, and photo delivery feel effortless.
5. SmugMug (Best for Unlimited Storage & RAW Support)
SmugMug is the go-to choice for photographers who need unlimited storage and a solid backup solution without breaking the bank. Starting at just $11/month, SmugMug stands out by supporting RAW files, which is a game-changer for photographers who prefer client selection before editing. It also integrates seamlessly with Lightroom, making it easy to upload and manage your photos.
With SmugMug, you get unlimited storage and strong privacy controls to keep your photos safe. Plus, the platform offers AI-powered search tools, so finding your images is quick and efficient. It’s also a great backup solution for your backups, ensuring you never lose important files.
For photographers looking to make sales, the Portfolio and Pro plans allow you to set your own profit margins and include order fulfillment services. You’ll also get access to payment processing tools and the ability to run promotions—without any extra processing fees.
The mobile app adds another layer of convenience, but it’s important to note that SmugMug doesn’t include studio management or website creation features, which other platforms may offer.
In short, SmugMug is best for photographers who need a secure, affordable, and organized storage solution with RAW support and plenty of backup options.
6. Pic-Time (Best for Sales & Marketing Automation)
Pic-time is a newer player in the online gallery space, but it’s quickly becoming a favorite for photographers who need more than just a basic photo proofing system. With features like built-in blogging tools, automated marketing workflows, and both print and digital sales options, it’s a solid choice for those looking to turn their galleries into business powerhouses.
While Pic-time does offer a Lightroom plugin, one of its standout features is the ability to create slideshows and albums directly within the gallery, meaning you don’t have to rely on external integrations. It also supports video hosting and allows you to manage multiple brands from a single account, which is perfect for photographers working in different niches.
They offer a free trial to get you started, and the free plan includes marketing automation, slideshow creation, and video/GIF hosting. However, the downside is that they don’t support RAW images, and unlimited storage can get pricey.
Pic-time is best for photographers looking for an all-in-one solution for print sales, album design, and automated marketing in one sleek package.
7. Zenfolio (Best for Video Hosting & Bookings)
Zenfolio is a great choice for photographers who need a cost-effective, easy-to-use platform that can handle both photos and videos. Starting at just $6/month, it lets you create a custom website using customizable templates, no coding required. You can showcase and sell your images through interactive online galleries that are designed to impress. Plus, with integrated video hosting, automated workflows, and multi-user access, Zenfolio makes it easy to manage your business and deliver content to clients.
If you need more storage or want to upload 4K videos, the ProSuite plan at $36/month offers unlimited storage and the Book.Me integration, making it a solid value for the price.
While Zenfolio’s design isn’t as visually striking as some other platforms, its affordability and practical features make it ideal for photographers looking for a straightforward website or storefront solution. It’s especially great if you need to host and share video content along with your photos.
8. Pixpa (Best for Custom Portfolio Websites)
Pixpa is perfect for photographers who want a customizable portfolio website with an easy-to-use builder. The drag-and-drop interface makes it simple to create a stunning site, no coding skills required. You can choose from premade gallery templates, upload proofing galleries, and even set up an integrated e-commerce store to sell prints or digital downloads.
While Pixpa integrates with over 100 applications (like Stripe, Square, and MailChimp), it focuses mainly on website creation and gallery management. It’s a great tool for photographers who need a polished online presence but doesn’t offer business tools like contract templates or invoicing.
The platform starts at $12/month, and though there’s no free plan, they offer a 50% discount for students and educators, making it a budget-friendly option for those just starting out. Keep in mind, if you want to sell products through your store, you’ll need to opt for the paid plan.
Overall, Pixpa is best for photographers who want an easy, customizable portfolio and an affordable image storage solution—without the extra business features.
9. PhotoShelter (Best for Secure Image Storage)
PhotoShelter is a great option for photographers who need secure, organized photo galleries with remote access. Starting at $10/month, PhotoShelter stands out by supporting RAW files—perfect for photographers who prefer to upload images directly from the camera for client selection. It also integrates smoothly with Lightroom and PhotoMechanic, letting you upload photos quickly and stay organized with powerful file management and search tools.
While the Basic plan offers 4GB of storage, the real value comes with the unlimited storage plan at $45/month, which is fairly priced compared to other platforms. One standout feature is the ability to accept payments in 23 global currencies, making it easy to sell to clients worldwide.
However, there’s no free plan, and the Basic plan doesn’t include client proofing tools, so you’ll need to upgrade for more features. But if secure storage, RAW support, and easy remote access are what you need, PhotoShelter is a strong contender.
10. Lightfolio (Best for Collaboration & Client Communication)
Lightfolio is a solid choice for photographers who want a smooth, collaborative proofing process. It’s perfect for photographers who need clients to make image selections before editing. With in-app messaging for real-time feedback and the ability for clients to view and save selections across devices, it streamlines communication and helps you stay organized.
The free plan gives you 1 GB of storage, but for $7/month, you can upgrade to the Lite plan, which offers 30 GB of storage—one of the best deals among similar platforms. Lightfolio also includes studio management tools, like project management, contracts, invoices, questionnaires, and client portals, making it a great all-in-one solution.
Overall, Lightfolio is great for photographers who need a simple, cost-effective proofing gallery with strong communication tools and CRM features.
11. Picdrop
Picdrop is a great option for professional photographers looking for a no-fuss online proofing gallery built with the photographer-client relationship in mind. With support for all common file types, including RAW and video files, it covers the essentials and then some.
There are two main modes: Collaboration and Presentation. Collaboration mode makes it easy to get feedback from clients with features like selections, color markings, votes, and even scribbles, where clients can draw directly on the images. Presentation mode allows you to customize the gallery’s look, giving you the freedom to deliver your work in your unique style.
Picdrop also offers a free plan for up to three galleries, making it an affordable option for photographers just starting out.
The only downside? It currently lacks image selling and printing features. But if you’re looking for a fast, easy-to-use platform that enhances your workflow and provides a great client experience, Picdrop is a solid choice.
12. Pixellu
Pixellu is a go-to for photographers who need a simple yet powerful platform for online galleries, slideshows, and album design. The storage isn’t capped; instead, you’re limited by the number of galleries, making it easy to scale without worrying about running out of space.The galleries are sleek and customizable, with paid plans offering Google Analytics to track performance. Pixellu shines when it comes to creating stunning slideshows and album designs, but it does fall short when it comes to e-commerce—there’s no option to sell prints or other products.
If you're just getting started, you can use their free plan with up to 10 galleries. For $16/month, you get 100 galleries and Google Analytics. The $32/month Unlimited plan is a great deal for photographers who need more flexibility, but keep in mind that without an online store, clients won’t be able to purchase prints directly.
If album design and slideshow creation are your focus, the All Apps Bundle is a must-have, offering everything you need in one package.
13. Photonesto (Best for Pay-as-You-Go Proofing Galleries)
Photonesto takes a different approach to gallery pricing by letting you pay per gallery published, rather than locking you into a subscription. This is a great option for photographers who don’t need a monthly fee but want a simple way to showcase and deliver images.
They offer two types of galleries: a standard album for sharing and showcasing images, and a proofing gallery with watermarking for client reviews and sales. The cost is based on the number of photos and how long the gallery will be live. For example, a proofing gallery with over 300 photos for 3 months costs just $4, and if you need it up for a year, it’s $6.
While the pay-per-gallery model can be a budget-friendly choice for photographers with fewer sessions, the sliding scale of prices might feel a little confusing. But for those who only need to upload a limited number of sessions, Photonesto offers a flexible and no-subscription option.
14. Photobucket
Photobucket has been a long-time favorite for image and video hosting, offering both free and paid plans to suit different needs. With the free account, you get 10GB of bandwidth per month and can upload images up to 5MB each. It’s great for basic storage and sharing, plus you can organize your photos into albums and sub-albums.
For those who need more, the Pro account offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, so you can store high-res images without worrying about ads. You’ll also get detailed statistics on your uploads and the ability to retrieve original photos. Plus, you can create custom URLs for your albums (a feature that’s limited on the free plan) and share your work with ease.
If you're into collaborative projects, Photobucket allows group albums where multiple people can contribute. And for those who prefer working on the go, the mobile app includes auto backup, syncing all your media across devices.
Pricing starts at $5.99 per month for the Pro plan, which adds more storage and removes ads. While the free plan is useful for basic photo hosting, you'll get more functionality with the paid options.
Although it’s been around for a while, Photobucket’s reputation has shifted a bit over the years, with some users noting changes in service quality. Still, it’s a solid choice for photographers who need a reliable platform to store and share their work, with the option to upgrade as their needs grow.
15. Photo.net Gallery
Photo.net is a well-established space for photographers to connect, showcase their work, and dive into the world of photography with a strong community-driven focus. You can create your own personal gallery to display your photos, which can be browsed and commented on by fellow photographers. It’s a great way to get exposure and feedback from others passionate about the craft.
With various categories like landscapes, portraits, and abstract art, it's easy to find a space for any style of photography. Plus, the forums give you a chance to chat about gear, techniques, and share experiences, making it a great place for both beginners and pros to learn and grow.
While Photo.net offers a free membership with unlimited access to its galleries and forums, it’s more about connecting and sharing than it is about e-commerce. If you're looking for advanced sales tools or extensive customization options, you may want to consider other platforms. But for anyone looking to showcase their work, get constructive critique, and join a vibrant photography community, Photo.net is a solid choice.
Choosing the Best Online Gallery for Your Photography Business
There are plenty of photo galleries software options to choose from, but the right one depends on your business needs.
Need automation? CloudSpot or want to send over contracts & invoices too, then go for ShootProof or maybe you are looking for an all-in-one solution, then try, Pixieset. But for photographers you need RAW file storage must check out PhotoShelter. And if you have budget constraint then go for refer a pay-as-you-go model as similar to Photonesto.
No matter what photo proof system you go with, having an online gallery really takes your workflow and client experience to the next level. But hey, why not make it even better? Pair it up with AI-powered photo selection and editing, you can cut your editing time in half and make every image pop without the extra hassle.
It’s all about making things easier – from picking the best shots to adding those final touches. Whether you’re working on big shoots or just perfecting the details, FilterPixel helps you get more done in less time, while delivering amazing results for your clients. Want to see how it can make your editing process smoother? Give it a go with a 14-day free trial and see for yourself!
