Head-to-Head Comparison

Pixieset vs Pic-Time: which is better for photographers?

The two most-loved client gallery platforms are closer than their fans admit. The real differences: what the store takes, and whether you want business tools attached. Verified August 2026 pricing.

Updated August 2026 Prices from each vendor's own pricing page

The quick answer

For pure gallery delivery, you can't go badly wrong either way — both are polished, fast, and client-friendly. Pixieset's paid gallery plans ($10-50/mo, $8-40 billed yearly) are commission-free on print sales. Pic-Time's plans ($8-50/mo, $7-42 yearly) still take a commission on shop markup that shrinks as you upgrade — collect payments yourself and it drops away, but their published pricing doesn't state the exact percentages.

The bigger fork: Pixieset sells a Suite ($28-55/mo billed yearly) that adds contracts, invoicing, and booking — a real studio system. Pic-Time stays a gallery and store specialist and expects you to bring your own CRM (it integrates with HoneyBook, Studio Ninja, Iris Works, and others). Decide whether you're buying one tool or two.

Full disclosure: this page is published by Fstop CRM, a competitor to both. We keep the comparison factual and tell you when one of them is the better pick — and both get a fair shake below.

TL;DR

Pixieset vs Pic-Time at a glance

Price

Galleries from $10/mo; Suite with CRM from $35/mo

vs

Free tier; paid from $8/mo ($7/mo yearly)

Built for

Photographers (galleries first)

vs

Photographers (galleries & print store)

Free trial / free tier

Free gallery tier, upgrade when ready

vs

30-day Advanced trial, then free plan

Top value: Pixieset · Bottom value: Pic-Time

Side by Side

Pixieset vs Pic-Time — the facts

Pixieset Pic-Time
Price Galleries from $10/mo; Suite with CRM from $35/mo Free tier; paid from $8/mo ($7/mo yearly)
Built for Photographers (galleries first) Photographers (galleries & print store)
Contracts & e-signatures Suite / Studio Manager only No
Invoicing & payments Suite / Studio Manager only No
Scheduling / booking Suite / Studio Manager only No
Client galleries Yes, core product (free 3GB tier) Yes, core product
Automations Store marketing automations
Mobile app Yes Yes
Free trial / free tier Free gallery tier, upgrade when ready 30-day Advanced trial, then free plan

Pricing checked against each vendor's published pricing page, August 2026. Plans and prices change — always confirm on their site.

Who Should Pick Which

Which one is right for you?

Choose Pixieset if you...

  • You want commission-free print sales on any paid gallery plan
  • You might grow into the Suite (galleries + contracts + invoicing + booking)
  • You want a free tier to start on (3 GB)
  • You prefer storage measured in GB with a big top tier (unlimited on Ultimate)

Choose Pic-Time if you...

  • You love Pic-Time's gallery design and store automations
  • You already run a CRM it integrates with (HoneyBook, Studio Ninja, Iris Works)
  • Their free tier's 10 GB is enough to test with real clients
  • You collect print payments yourself and avoid the commission entirely

The third option: Fstop CRM

If what's pulling you toward Pixieset's Suite is contracts, invoicing, and booking, compare it against a CRM that includes galleries instead: Fstop CRM starts at $19.99/mo billed yearly with the whole client workflow — inquiries, contracts with e-signature, invoices, booking pages with deposits, and client galleries.

Gallery specialists win on print stores; we don't run one. But if the store is a nice-to-have and the business side is the actual problem, the CRM-first direction costs less.

See everything Fstop includes →

Common Questions

Pixieset vs Pic-Time FAQ

Is Pixieset or Pic-Time cheaper?

Entry paid plans are close: Pixieset from $8/mo billed yearly ($10 monthly), Pic-Time from $7/mo billed yearly ($8 monthly). The real cost difference is sales commission — Pixieset's paid plans are commission-free, while Pic-Time takes a cut of shop markup on lower plans (exact rates aren't published on their pricing page).

Does Pic-Time have a CRM or contracts?

No. Pic-Time is galleries and store only — no contracts, invoicing, or booking. It integrates with CRMs like HoneyBook, Studio Ninja, and Iris Works. Pixieset offers those tools via its separate Suite plans.

Which has the better free plan?

Pic-Time's free tier gives 10 GB vs Pixieset's 3 GB, but Pixieset's free store runs at 15% commission. For occasional deliveries either works; for real client volume you'll outgrow both quickly.

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Or skip the tradeoffs

Fstop CRM is built for photographers and videographers — contracts, invoices, booking, galleries, and client management in one place. 7-day free trial, from $19.99/mo after.