Head-to-head · Photography Website Builders
SmugMug vs PhotoDeck
SmugMug leads on 0 checks, PhotoDeck on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreSmugMug · 8.8/10
- Lowest starting pricePhotoDeck · $12/mo
- Free trialboth
- Most featuresPhotoDeck · 1 of 6
SmugMug scores higher on our rubric for photography website builders: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.
PhotoDeck is cheaper to start at $12/mo against $20/mo.
SmugMug is the better fit for photographers needing storage plus a website. PhotoDeck is the better fit for photographers needing advanced delivery and commerce.
- SmugMug fits best
Photographers needing storage plus a website
- PhotoDeck fits best
Photographers needing advanced delivery and commerce
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Side by side
| Feature | SmugMug 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | PhotoDeck 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #4 in Photography Website Builders | #6 in Photography Website Builders |
| Best for | Photographers needing storage plus a website | Photographers needing advanced delivery and commerce |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $12/mo (best) |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | 14 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 14 days · no card needed | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web |
| Compliance | GDPR | GDPR |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 7 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features SmugMug 0/6 · PhotoDeck 1/6 | ||
| Client galleries | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Print sales | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Proofing tools | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Digital downloads | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Booking forms | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Custom domain | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | SmugMug combines online photo storage, organization, sharing, delivery, and website publishing for photographers, families, hobbyists, and photography businesses. Its core offering includes unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage, folders… Read the review → |
PhotoDeck is a hosted website and media platform for professional photographers, agencies, studios, and brands. It combines responsive portfolio websites with custom domains, client galleries, proofing, secure image and video delivery, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
SmugMug — where it wins
- Unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage with automatic desktop and mobile uploads
- Professional templates, custom domains, galleries, and privacy controls
- Print, digital download, video, and Lightroom support
Where it doesn't
- No permanent free plan
- Starting price is $20 per month when billed annually
- Advanced sales tools are reserved for higher plans
PhotoDeck — where it wins
- Combines galleries, proofing, secure delivery, and commerce tools
- AI metadata, face recognition, and similarity search support media discovery
- Team and Brand plans add multi-user portals, libraries, and asset management
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
- Essential includes 10 GB storage and up to 3 video clips
- Portfolio analytics depends on Google Analytics or StatCounter integrations
- SmugMug8.8/10 · From $20/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
A storage-first photography site builder with galleries, sales tools, and broad platform support.
Visit SmugMugFull verdict → - PhotoDeck8.6/10 · From $12/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
A deep photography platform for portfolios, client delivery, commerce, and media management.
Visit PhotoDeckFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update