Pixieset vs Zenfolio

Both sell client galleries to photographers, but they take their money in different places. Pixieset has a free plan with 3 GB, charges a 15 percent store fee on that plan only, and sells commission-free once you pay. Zenfolio has no free plan in what we read, offers a trial without a card, and takes a 7 percent fee on order subtotals plus per-file download charges on every plan. Pixieset is Vancouver-based by its own pages, and Zenfolio gives a Menlo Park, California address. Your sales volume decides which model costs less.

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Both are reviewed in full in our photo gallery software ranking: Pixieset and Zenfolio.

1. 01

   What happens to a print sale

   On Pixieset the free plan keeps 15 percent of store sales, and the paid plans are listed as commission-free. Zenfolio's pricing page describes a 7 percent fee on order subtotals, plus a charge for each digital download file, and says payment processors bill separately. That fee is not tied to a plan. A photographer who sells heavily would stop paying the Pixieset fee after upgrading, while Zenfolio's fee stays.

   Edge: Pixieset

2. 02

   Room for RAW and video

   Pixieset climbs from 3 GB on Free to 10 GB, 100 GB, 1 TB and unlimited, with RAW uploads only from the Pro plan. Video storage runs from 30 minutes of HD on Basic to 5 hours of 4K on Ultimate. Zenfolio offers 15 GB, 150 GB and then unlimited JPEG storage with 150 GB of video and 4K support on Advanced. Pixieset has the finer ladder, though Zenfolio's top tier is the larger video allowance.

   Depends on the buyer

3. 03

   Trial against free plan

   Pixieset's free plan asks for no card and reaches most features across Client Gallery, Website, Studio Manager, Store and the mobile app. No trial is named on its pricing table. Zenfolio names a trial without card details but no free plan, and offers a 30-day refund as a courtesy on annual renewals or first signups. Pixieset lets you stay free indefinitely, while Zenfolio expects a plan eventually.

   Edge: Pixieset

4. 04

   Monthly bills in two currencies

   Pixieset quotes dollars without naming the currency: Basic runs $8 per month if paid yearly or $10 if paid monthly, while Ultimate is $40 or $50. Zenfolio's European page shows Basic at EUR 6 on annual billing and EUR 8 monthly, Professional at EUR 8 or EUR 20, and Advanced at EUR 14.40 or EUR 36. Those annual prices belong to a promotion ending 25 November 2026, with renewals at standard rates.

   Edge: Zenfolio

5. 05

   Small print on renewals

   Zenfolio's terms state that subscriptions auto-renew and that no refunds follow a cancellation. They also require mandatory arbitration, with a 30-day opt-out, and cap liability. Pixieset's own pages name Pixieset Media Inc. as operator but state no governing law, so we cannot compare the two on dispute terms. Read the Zenfolio renewal date before you subscribe, because the 30-day courtesy refund is not a contractual right.

   Edge: Pixieset

6. 06

   Extras around the gallery

   Pixieset lists email campaigns from 100 a month on Basic to 10,000 on Ultimate, and Studio Manager sits on a separate plans page, so the full bill depends on modules. Zenfolio lists SMS allowances from 500 to 2,500 a month, team seats of 2 on Professional and 15 on Advanced, and booking as a EUR 10 monthly add-on on Professional. Zenfolio bundles more business tools into one plan page.

   Edge: Zenfolio

Is Zenfolio really free to try?

Zenfolio says new users can explore free without payment details, and the plans page names a free trial with no credit card required. It does not name a permanent free plan. The 30-day refund is described as a courtesy rather than a guarantee.

Does the Pixieset free plan include selling prints?

Yes, the store is included, and the free plan gives access to most features in Client Gallery, Website, Studio Manager, Store and the mobile app. It is limited to 3 GB. A 15 percent commission applies to sales made while you stay on it.

Which plan do I need to upload RAW files?

On Pixieset, RAW uploads are listed from the Pro plan upwards, which has 1 TB of storage. Zenfolio's plan list speaks of JPEG storage and video, and says nothing on RAW handling. Ask Zenfolio support directly if RAW archives matter to you.

• Pixieset pricing page: tier storage sizes, dollar prices, the 15 percent free-plan store fee, RAW from Pro and email campaign counts.
• Pixieset terms of service: Pixieset Media Inc. as operator with no governing law stated.
• Zenfolio plans and pricing: euro prices, the 7 percent order fee, trial, 30-day courtesy refund and the 25 November 2026 promotion end.
• Zenfolio terms of use: auto-renewal, no refunds on cancellation and arbitration with a 30-day opt-out.
• Zenfolio user agreement: the Menlo Park, California notice address of Zenfolio, Inc.