Purpose-built CRM
Fstop was designed as a CRM from day one. Every feature, from inquiries to contracts to invoices, is built around managing client relationships. Galleries came later, built on that same foundation.
Honest Comparison
Pixieset started as a gallery delivery tool and added CRM features. Fstop was built as a CRM from day one. Here's how they actually compare for managing your photography business.
TL;DR
Monthly Price
From $19.99/mo
vs
$10-65/mo
Built For
CRM first
vs
Galleries first
Contract Builder
Full drag-and-drop
vs
Basic templates
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fstop | Pixieset |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Management | ||
| Lead capture forms | ✓ Built-in form builder | ✓ Contact forms |
| Visual pipeline | ✓ Kanban pipeline | ✗ List view only |
| Auto-responses | ✓ Email templates | ✓ Auto-replies |
| Contracts & Invoicing | ||
| Contract builder | ✓ Drag-and-drop builder | ~ Basic templates |
| E-signatures | ✓ Built in | ✓ Built in |
| Invoicing | ✓ Full invoicing | ✓ Basic invoicing |
| Payment processing | ✓ Track payments | ✓ Stripe integration |
| Galleries & Delivery | ||
| Client galleries | ✓ Included on Studio & Pro | ✓ Core feature |
| Print store | ✗ Not included | ✓ Built-in store |
| Download tracking | ✗ Not included | ✓ Full tracking |
| Communication | ||
| Gmail integration | ✓ Send from Gmail | ✗ Platform email only |
| Email templates | ✓ Branded templates | ✓ Basic templates |
| Branded emails | ✓ Your brand everywhere | ~ Limited branding |
| Branding | ||
| Custom branding kit | ✓ Logo, colors, fonts | ✓ Gallery branding |
| Branded contracts | ✓ Fully branded | ~ Basic branding |
| Branded invoices | ✓ Fully branded | ~ Basic branding |
Pros & Cons
Fstop was designed as a CRM from day one. Every feature, from inquiries to contracts to invoices, is built around managing client relationships. Galleries came later, built on that same foundation.
Send emails directly from your Gmail account. Clients see your email address, not a platform address. Conversations stay in your inbox.
From $19.99/mo you get every CRM tool. Fstop never gates CRM features by plan; the only tier difference is gallery storage.
Drag-and-drop contract builder with custom clauses, your branding, and e-signatures. Not just fill-in-the-blank templates.
Pixieset's core product is gallery delivery, and it's excellent. Beautiful client galleries, download tracking, and a built-in print store.
Built-in print store lets clients order prints directly from their gallery. Great passive revenue stream.
Pixieset has been around longer and has a larger user base. More integrations and community resources available.
Pixieset's gallery tools have years of refinement: print store, download tracking, and integrations that newer gallery features are still catching up to.
Pricing
From $19.99/mo
Every CRM feature on every plan.
$10-65/mo
Gallery-only plans $10-50/mo ($8-40 billed yearly). CRM tools (contracts, invoicing, booking) require the Suite: $35-65/mo ($28-55 yearly).
Who It's For
Fstop now does gallery delivery. Fstop Studio covers both jobs, CRM plus client galleries with 250 GB of storage, at $34.99/mo billed yearly. That's usually less than running a CRM and a separate gallery subscription.
Pixieset's galleries are genuinely great, and their print store is more mature. Fstop galleries focus on the delivery essentials: unlimited galleries, unlimited client downloads, favorites, email capture, and zip delivery, with up to 250 GB of photo storage on Studio (Pro moves you to 1 TB).
If you love Pixieset for delivery, you can still pair it with Fstop Essentials at $19.99/mo for the CRM side. But if you'd rather run one tool for both jobs, Studio makes that the simpler and usually cheaper option.
Explore Features
7-day free trial. Cancel anytime. All features included from day one.