Your photos deserve better than a Google Drive link. Gallery delivery platforms exist because clients expect a premium experience: a branded, beautiful place to view, favorite, download, and order prints from their session. The gallery you deliver is often the last impression a client has of working with you, and it directly influences referrals.

But which platform actually delivers? Pixieset, CloudSpot, and ShootProof are the three names that dominate photographer Facebook groups, and each takes a different approach to the same problem. Here’s how they compare in 2026.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Pixieset	CloudSpot	ShootProof
Pricing	Free–$38/mo	Free–$42/mo	$15–48/mo
Storage	5GB free, unlimited on paid	5GB free, unlimited on paid	Unlimited on all paid plans
Client Galleries	✅ Clean, elegant design	✅ Modern, mobile-first	✅ Classic, reliable
Print Fulfillment	✅ Built-in store	✅ Lab integration	✅ Best lab network
Download Options	Digital downloads + PIN	Smart downloads + favorites	Digital downloads + collections
Branding	✅ Full white-label	✅ Custom branding	✅ Custom branding
Mobile App	✅ Client app available	✅ Best mobile experience	✅ Mobile responsive
Website Builder	✅ Portfolio sites	❌	❌

Pixieset (Free–$38/mo): Most Popular, Built-in Store

Pixieset is the gallery platform most photographers start with, and many never leave. There’s good reason for that: the client experience is elegant, the setup is fast, and the built-in store means you can sell prints and digital downloads without any additional tools.

The galleries themselves are clean and minimal. Clients can favorite images, leave comments, and download their selections. The photographer controls what’s downloadable and what’s print-only, which gives you flexibility to upsell prints and albums through the integrated store.

Pixieset’s store is the standout feature. You set your prices, clients order directly from their gallery, and Pixieset handles fulfillment through partner labs. You keep the markup. For photographers who want passive print sales without managing a separate print shop, this is incredibly convenient.

The platform also includes a basic website builder for portfolio sites. It’s not going to replace a custom Squarespace or WordPress site, but for photographers who want an all-in-one presence: portfolio, client galleries, and store: it works surprisingly well.

Where Pixieset falls short is mobile experience. While the galleries are responsive, the mobile client experience isn’t as polished as CloudSpot’s dedicated approach. The free tier is also quite limited at 5GB, which fills up fast if you’re delivering full-resolution files.

Pricing breakdown: Free (5GB), Plus ($12/mo, 100GB), Pro ($22/mo, 500GB), Ultimate ($38/mo, unlimited).

Best for: Photographers who want gallery delivery plus print sales in one platform with minimal setup.

CloudSpot (Free–$42/mo): Best Mobile Experience + AI Curation

CloudSpot took a different approach to gallery delivery: mobile-first design with AI-powered features. In 2026, when most clients view their galleries on their phones before they ever open a laptop, that bet has paid off.

The mobile experience is genuinely excellent. Galleries load fast, swiping through photos feels natural, and the download process is smooth even on cellular connections. CloudSpot’s client app takes this further: clients get push notifications when their gallery is ready and can favorite, share, and download directly from their phone.

The AI curation feature is what sets CloudSpot apart from competitors. The platform can automatically create a “highlights” selection from your uploaded gallery, giving clients an instant preview of top images before they browse the full set. This is particularly useful for weddings where you’re delivering 600+ images and want to guide clients toward the strongest shots first.

CloudSpot’s sharing features are also strong. Clients can easily share individual images or highlight reels on social media, with your branding attached. For photographers who rely on word-of-mouth referrals, this organic sharing is valuable marketing.

The print fulfillment side is functional but not as robust as ShootProof’s lab network. CloudSpot partners with quality labs, but you have fewer options and less pricing flexibility compared to ShootProof’s approach.

Pricing breakdown: Free (5GB), Starter ($18/mo, 100GB), Professional ($30/mo, 500GB), Studio ($42/mo, unlimited).

Best for: Photographers whose clients are primarily mobile-first and who want AI-assisted curation to enhance the delivery experience.

ShootProof ($15–$48/mo): Best Print Lab Integration

ShootProof has been in the gallery game longer than most competitors, and its strength shows in one area above all others: print fulfillment. If selling prints is a meaningful part of your revenue: not just a nice-to-have: ShootProof’s lab integrations and pricing flexibility are unmatched.

The platform connects to multiple professional print labs, giving you control over which labs fulfill which products. You can set different markups for different print sizes, offer canvas wraps from one lab and albums from another, and create curated product collections for each client. The pricing flexibility lets you run sales, offer package deals, and set minimum order amounts.

ShootProof’s galleries are reliable and professional. They’re not the flashiest design you’ll find: Pixieset’s are arguably more elegant: but they’re clean, fast-loading, and well-organized. The platform handles high-volume galleries (600+ wedding images) without performance issues.

Contract and invoice features are built in, which is useful if you don’t already have a CRM handling that. For photographers using ShootProof as their primary client-facing platform, having contracts and payment right alongside galleries simplifies the workflow.

Where ShootProof loses ground is the overall design aesthetic and modern features. The interface feels slightly dated compared to CloudSpot’s mobile-first approach, and there’s no AI curation or smart highlight features. It’s a workhorse, not a showpiece.

Pricing breakdown: 100 photos free, then $15/mo (1,000 photos), $25/mo (5,000 photos), $35/mo (15,000 photos), $48/mo (unlimited).

Best for: Photographers who generate significant revenue from print sales and need flexible lab integrations and pricing control.

What Photographers Actually Need

Before picking a platform, be honest about how you actually use gallery delivery:

If print sales matter to your revenue: ShootProof. No contest. The lab integrations and pricing flexibility pay for themselves if you’re selling even a handful of prints per month.

If your clients are mostly young couples on phones: CloudSpot. The mobile experience and social sharing features align with how millennial and Gen-Z clients actually interact with their photos.

If you want simplicity and a built-in store: Pixieset. It’s the most straightforward to set up, the store is easy to manage, and the galleries look great with minimal configuration.

If you deliver high-volume events: Any paid tier works, but CloudSpot’s AI curation helps clients navigate large galleries, while ShootProof handles high image counts reliably.

If you also need a portfolio site: Pixieset’s website builder eliminates one extra subscription.

The truth is, all three platforms deliver photos beautifully. Your clients won’t know or care which platform you use: they care that the gallery loads fast, looks good on their phone, and makes downloading easy. Pick based on your business model (print sales vs. digital-only), your client demographic (mobile-first vs. desktop), and how much time you want to spend on setup.

For managing the booking and client communication side of your business, see our best CRM for photographers guide.

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FAQ

Can I use a free plan for professional gallery delivery? Technically yes, but the storage limits (5GB on Pixieset and CloudSpot) mean you’ll run out quickly. Most working photographers need at least the mid-tier plan. Free plans work for testing the platform before committing.

Which gallery platform has the best client experience? CloudSpot leads on mobile, Pixieset leads on desktop elegance. ShootProof is reliable but less visually distinctive. If your clients are primarily viewing on phones (most are in 2026), CloudSpot has an edge.

Do I need a gallery platform if I already use a CRM like HoneyBook? Yes. CRMs handle booking, contracts, and communication: they don’t deliver photos. You need a dedicated gallery platform for the actual image delivery and print sales. Some photographers use Sprout Studio which combines both, but most keep them separate.

How long should I keep client galleries active? Industry standard is 6–12 months for full galleries. Most platforms let you archive galleries without deleting them, so you can reactivate if a client needs access again. Communicate your gallery expiration policy in your contract.

Can clients download full-resolution files from these platforms? Yes, all three support full-resolution downloads. You control whether downloads are included or require purchase. Most photographers include digital downloads in their session fee and use the gallery for delivery, while offering prints as an additional revenue stream.