Pelli vs Lightfolio

Pelli8.4Visit LLightfolio8.3Visit

Higher score Pelli #7 in Photo Proofing Software 8.4/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Pelli

vs

L Lightfolio #8 in Photo Proofing Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Lightfolio

• Pelli fits best

  Budget-conscious photographers wanting AI options

• Lightfolio fits best

  Photographers wanting broad desktop coverage

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Side by side

Feature	Pelli 8.4/10 Visit ↗	LLightfolio 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	8.3
Ranking	#7 in Photo Proofing Software	#8 in Photo Proofing Software
Best for	Budget-conscious photographers wanting AI options	Photographers wanting broad desktop coverage
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	€5/mo	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	15 days	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	3 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Pelli 5/5 · Lightfolio 5/5
Client selections	✓	✓
Client favorites	✓	✓
Client comments	✓	✓
Download controls	✓	✓
Watermarking	✓	✓
Specs
Gallery limit	15 galleries	Not checked yet
Storage limit	10 GB	30 GB (best)
Our review
Pros	Free-for-life plan with core gallery and client features Client selections, comments, approvals, downloads and watermarks AI search and facial recognition available on ULTRA	Supports web, Windows, macOS, and Linux Combines selections, comments, favorites, downloads, and sales Lightroom Classic plug-in supports direct gallery uploads
Cons	Web-only platform AI search and facial recognition require ULTRA Advanced tiers cost more for higher storage and gallery limits	No AI features are included Custom domains require a paid plan Priority support is limited to Pro and Premium
Our verdict	Pelli is a web-based photo proofing and business platform for professional and amateur photographers. Its core workflow combines branded galleries with client likes, super-likes, favorites, selection confirmation, comments, download… Read the review →	Lightfolio is an online gallery and photo-proofing platform for professional photographers who need private client galleries, image selections, comments, favorites, download controls, and online sales. Clients can view galleries on mobile… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pelli — where it wins

  • Free-for-life plan with core gallery and client features
  • Client selections, comments, approvals, downloads and watermarks
  • AI search and facial recognition available on ULTRA

  Where it doesn't

  • Web-only platform
  • AI search and facial recognition require ULTRA
  • Advanced tiers cost more for higher storage and gallery limits

• Lightfolio — where it wins

  • Supports web, Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Combines selections, comments, favorites, downloads, and sales
  • Lightroom Classic plug-in supports direct gallery uploads

  Where it doesn't

  • No AI features are included
  • Custom domains require a paid plan
  • Priority support is limited to Pro and Premium

• Pelli8.4/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

  A low-cost proofing platform with galleries, business tools and optional AI.

  Visit PelliFull verdict →
• LLightfolio8.3/10 · Free plan

  Broad desktop coverage with proofing, sales, controls, and Lightroom uploads.

  Visit LightfolioFull verdict →