SmugMug vs Zenfolio

SmugMug sells three plans at $20.00, $23.50 and $37.00 a month on yearly billing, each with unlimited JPEG storage, and charges extra for RAW files. Zenfolio ties storage to the plan: 15 GB on Basic, 150 GB on Professional, and unlimited JPEG on Advanced. The sharper contrast is selling. SmugMug puts digital download sales on Portfolio, while Zenfolio takes a 7% order fee plus per-file download charges, whatever plan you hold. Both operate from California, and Flickr's terms state that SmugMug, Inc. owns Flickr, which makes SmugMug the larger group of the two.

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

1. 01

   Unlimited JPEGs from day one

   SmugMug includes unlimited JPEG storage on Direct, Portfolio and Pro. Zenfolio caps Basic at 15 GB, about 4,500 photos, and Professional at 150 GB, about 60,000 photos, with unlimited JPEG storage only on Advanced, which also holds 150 GB of video and 4K support. A photographer with a growing archive will not meet a ceiling at SmugMug's cheapest tier. Zenfolio's cheapest tier is the one most likely to fill up, so SmugMug wins this round.

   Edge: SmugMug

2. 02

   RAW files cost extra at SmugMug

   SmugMug sells RAW storage as an add-on for every plan: up to 1 TB for $10 a month, then $6 a month for each additional terabyte. The unlimited allowance covers JPEGs only. Zenfolio lists no separate RAW add-on in the pages we read, and its Advanced plan stores unlimited JPEG files. The pages do not say how Zenfolio treats RAW uploads, so a photographer who shoots RAW should ask both vendors before choosing. On the stated facts, this round is a draw.

   Depends on the buyer

3. 03

   What a sale costs you

   On Zenfolio, selling carries a 7% commerce fee per order on the subtotal, plus per-file digital download charges, and payment processors charge separately. Basic does not include selling at all. SmugMug moves digital download sales and print fulfilment to Portfolio at $23.50 a month, and Pro at $37.00 adds custom pricelists and packages. The SmugMug pages we read state no per-order percentage, though they do not rule out other costs at checkout. Photographers who sell often will prefer SmugMug's flat monthly structure.

   Edge: SmugMug

4. 04

   European price page and a limited promotion

   The European selection of Zenfolio's plans page lists Basic at €8 a month, Professional at €20 and Advanced at €36, or €6, €8 and €14.40 a month billed annually. It describes those annual rates as part of a Cyber November promotion ending 25 November 2026, after which renewals revert to standard rates. Its FAQ also shows dollar figures that differ from the euro ones. SmugMug shows a dollar sign with no currency code. Zenfolio's annual discount is deeper, so Zenfolio wins.

   Edge: Zenfolio

5. 05

   Trials, refunds and the fine print

   SmugMug gives every plan a 14-day free trial, and no free plan is listed. Zenfolio offers a trial without a credit card but does not state its length, and offers a thirty-day refund as a courtesy on first signups or annual renewals. Its terms, however, renew subscriptions automatically, refund nothing on cancellation, force arbitration (with an opt-out window of 30 days) and cap liability. The SmugMug terms page we tried returned an error. A defined trial period is clearer than Zenfolio's mixed refund wording.

   Edge: SmugMug

6. 06

   Operators, addresses and family ties

   SmugMug, Inc. gives 67 E Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View, California as its address in the group terms, and the Flickr terms state that Flickr, Inc. is owned by SmugMug, Inc. Zenfolio, Inc. lists 3515 A Edison Way, Menlo Park, California in its user agreement, and its terms fall under California law with disputes heard in San Mateo County. Both vendors sit in the San Francisco Bay Area, so neither offers a geographic advantage for a European buyer.

   Depends on the buyer

Does SmugMug have a free plan like a hobby tier?

No free plan appears on the SmugMug plans page. Each plan carries a Start free trial button for a two-week trial. Direct, Portfolio and Pro are all billed yearly with a monthly equivalent shown.

Which of the two has a built-in commission on photo sales?

Zenfolio does, at 7% of the order subtotal plus per-file digital download charges and payment processor fees. The SmugMug plans page we read lists no per-order percentage, and moves selling to Portfolio and above. Check SmugMug's checkout terms before you rely on that.

Can a team of several photographers share a Zenfolio account?

Zenfolio's Professional plan lists 2 team members and Advanced lists 15. Basic shows no team figure in the pages we read. The SmugMug plans we read do not state a team-member count.

• SmugMug plans: Three plan prices on yearly billing, unlimited JPEGs, RAW add-on rates, integrations and the 14-day trial.
• SmugMug terms: Mountain View address and the Flickr group relationship.
• Flickr terms: Statement that Flickr, Inc. is owned by SmugMug, Inc.
• Zenfolio plans and pricing: Euro prices, storage caps, team members, 7% order fee, trial wording, refund courtesy and promotion end date.
• Zenfolio selling features: Print labs, digital downloads and website builder functions.
• Zenfolio terms of use: Renewal and cancellation clauses, arbitration, liability limit.
• Zenfolio user agreement: Menlo Park notice address for Zenfolio, Inc.