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.
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.
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.
- Built-in e-commerce capabilities with an AR preview feature for prints.
- Fully customizable storefront makes selling photos effortless.
- Deep integrations allow seamless connection of invoicing, gallery management, and more.
- Potential downside: Setup may take some learning if you're unfamiliar with integrations, but it saves hours of workonce configured.
- Pricing: Free plan available; unlimited storage starts at $34/month.
- Best for: photographers looking to streamline their workflow while delivering a top-tier client experience.
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.
- Drag-and-drop interface for creating fully customizable, responsive galleries.
- Client interaction: Leave comments, annotations, and feedback directly on images.
- Security features: Password protection, expiring links, and watermarking for high-res images.
- Workflow efficiency: Bulk actions and keyboard shortcuts save time.
- Flexible storage: Upload/download any file size instantly and adjust storage as needed without overpaying.
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.
- Free plan: 3GB storage to test the platform and explore features.
- $8, $16, and $24/month for up to 1TB of storage.
- Unlimited storage at $40/month.
- Pixieset Suite: A bundled package for photographers, offering 2TB of storage at $38/month.
- Key advantage: Elegant, user-friendly design for a seamless client viewing and proofing experience.
- All-in-one business management without needing multiple platforms.
- Potential downside: Unlimited storage is pricier than some competitors.
- Best for: Photographers looking for a stylish, comprehensive solution to manage their business efficiently.
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.
- Pricing: Comparable to CloudSpot at certain tiers but with lower storage limits (25,000 images vs. 70,000).
- Built-in CRM-style features make it a solid choice for photographers needing business tools + gallery hosting.
- Unlimited storage available, but at a higher price point than most competitors.
- Plans start at $10/month, offering a balance of workflow automation and client communication tools.
- Best for: Photographers who want to simplify contracts, invoicing, and photo delivery in one platform.
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. It 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.
- Unlimited storage & backup solution at an affordable price.
- Pricing starts at $11/month—great value for unlimited space.
- RAW file support allows client selection before editing.
- Seamless Lightroom integration for easy uploads & photo management.
- Strong privacy controls to keep photos safe.AI-powered search tools for quick & efficient image retrieval.
- Mobile app for on-the-go access.
- Best for: Photographers who need secure, unlimited storage with RAW support & strong 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.
- E-commerce options: Supports both print and digital sales.
- Lightroom plugin available, but standout feature is built-in slideshow & album creation (no need for external tools).
- Video hosting & multi-brand management for photographers with diverse niches.
- Free trial available; free plan includes marketing automation, slideshow creation, and video/GIF hosting.Downsides:
- No RAW file support.
- Best for: Photographers who want an all-in-one platform for print sales, album design, and marketing automation.
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.
- Pricing starts at $6/month with customizable website templates (no coding required).
- Showcase & sell images through interactive online galleries.
- Integrated video hosting, automated workflows, and multi-user access for efficient business management.
- ProSuite plan starts at $36/month with unlimited storage and 4K video uploads.
- Book.Me integration for streamlined bookings
- Design isn’t as visually striking as some competitors.
- Best for: Photographers needing an affordable, all-in-one website & storefront—especially those handling photo + video content.
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.
- Customizable portfolio website with an easy drag-and-drop builder (no coding needed).
- Premade gallery templates + proofing galleries for client selection.
- Integrated e-commerce store to sell prints & digital downloads.
- Lacks business tools like contract templates & invoicing.
- Pricing: Starts at $12/month, no free plan, but 50% discount for students & educators.
- Selling products requires a paid plan.
- Best for: Photographers looking for an affordable, customizable portfolio without advanced 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.
- Secure & organized photo galleries with remote access.
- RAW file support for direct uploads from the camera.
- Seamless integration with Lightroom & PhotoMechanic for fast uploads & file management.
- Basic plan: 4GB storage at $10/month (lacks client proofing tools).
- Unlimited storage plan: $45/month (great value compared to competitors).
- Accepts payments in 23 global currencies, making international sales easy.
- No free plan available.
- Best for: Photographers needing secure storage, RAW support, and remote access.
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.
- Free plan: 1GB storage.
- Lite plan ($7/month): 30GB storage (one of the best deals among competitors).
- Includes studio management tools: Project management, contracts, invoices, questionnaires, and client portals.
- Best for: Photographers looking for a cost-effective proofing gallery with strong communication & 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. 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.
- Supports all common file types, including RAW & video files.
- Free plan available (up to 3 galleries).
- No built-in image selling or printing features.
- Best for: Photographers needing a fast, easy-to-use proofing platform with great client collaboration tools.
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.
- Simple yet powerful platform for online galleries, slideshows, and album design.
- No storage cap—limited by number of galleries, making it easy to scale.
- Sleek, customizable galleries with Google Analytics (on paid plans) to track performance.
- Free plan: Up to 10 galleries.
- $16/month: 100 galleries + Google Analytics.
- $32/month Unlimited plan: Great for photographers needing flexibility.
- Best for: Photographers focused on album design & slideshow creation—the All Apps Bundle is a must-have
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.
- Pay-per-gallery pricing instead of a monthly subscription—great for photographers with fewer sessions.
- Proofing gallery with watermarking, client reviews, and sales.
- 300+ photos for 3 months: $4 & 1-year gallery: $6.
- Best for: Photographers who don’t need a monthly subscription but want an easy way to deliver & showcase images.
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.
- Long-time favorite for image & video hosting, with free & paid plans.
- Free plan: 10GB bandwidth/month, 5MB image limit.
- Albums & sub-albums for organization.
- Pro plan ($5.99/month)
- Detailed upload stats & original photo retrieval.
- Custom URLs for albums & group albums for collaboration.
- Mobile app with auto-backup & sync.
- Best for: Photographers needing flexible storage & sharing with room to upgrade.
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.
- Community-driven platform for photographers to connect, showcase, and learn.
- Personal galleries let you display work & receive feedback.
- Diverse categories (landscapes, portraits, abstract, etc.).
- Active forums for discussions on gear, techniques & experiences.
- Free membership with unlimited gallery & forum access.
- Cons: No built-in e-commerce or extensive customization.
- Best for: Photographers wanting exposure, critique, and a strong community.
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!
