If you’re a photographer starting to share galleries with clients, you’ve probably heard the big names: Pixieset, PicTime, and Afterify. Each platform helps you deliver beautiful photos online — but the real question is: which one actually fits the way you work?

Whether you’re just getting started or building momentum as a hobbyist-turned-pro, finding the right gallery platform can make your life a lot easier. Let’s take a look at what sets these three apart, where they shine, and which one might fit you best.

Pixieset: The Familiar Standby

Pixieset has been around for a while, and for many photographers, it’s the first name that comes to mind for online galleries. It’s clean, easy to set up, and integrates well with print labs.

What photographers love

  • Intuitive design — galleries look polished right away

  • Client favorites, downloads, and print sales are built in

  • Integrates with Pixieset’s website builder and studio tools

Things to keep in mind

  • Many features are locked behind higher-tier plans

  • Customization can feel limited once you want more branding control

  • The overall experience leans toward “safe” rather than flexible

Pixieset is great if you want something that just works out of the box, but it can start to feel a little rigid once you’re ready to customize or scale.

PicTime: The Modern Marketplace

PicTime is often praised for its modern designs and focus on automation. It’s especially appealing to photographers who sell a lot of prints or want to boost client sales through marketing tools.

What photographers love

  • Nice gallery templates and visual polish

  • Automated sales campaigns and email marketing

  • Variety of e-commerce options

Things to keep in mind

  • Learning curve can be steep for new users

  • Plans can get pricey once you add store and automation tools

  • The system is more “sales-first,” which can feel like overkill if you just want simple sharing

PicTime shines for photographers focused on print sales and marketing, but it may be more than you need if you’re still finding your rhythm.

Afterify: The All-in-One Simplicity You’ve Been Looking For

Then there’s Afterify — a newer, all-in-one platform designed to simplify how photographers share, sell, and organize their digital content. Built by creatives for creatives, Afterify combines favorite time-tested features with new exciting options and creative flexibility.

What photographers love

  • Clean, intuitive galleries that feel modern and personal

  • Built-in store that supports both digital downloads and print products

  • Mobile-friendly by design with additional customization options

  • Simple pricing that doesn’t penalize you for growing

  • Tools that grow with you — from hobbyist to full-time creator

Things to keep in mind

  • Still expanding integrations and advanced automation tools (coming soon!)

  • Smaller team means updates roll out gradually — but they’re built with real photographer input and a passion to create excellent experiences

Afterify’s strength lies in balance — it’s powerful enough to handle professional needs, yet approachable for beginners. You don’t need to be a tech expert to set up your first gallery, and you don’t have to jump between tools to manage your photos, store, and clients.

Feature Comparison

Feature

Pixieset

PicTime

Afterify

Easy gallery setup

Built-in store

Digital downloads

Physical product sales

Mobile-optimized

Automation tools

⚪ (Soon!)

Branding customization

Pricing flexibility

Best for...

Quick setup

Sales focus

All levels

So… Which One’s Best?

To summarize:

  • Pixieset is perfect if you want a straightforward, established tool that is easy to set up.

  • PicTime fits if you’re already selling lots of print products and want built-in marketing tools.

  • Afterify is ideal if you’re growing, experimenting, or want a simple, flexible, all-in-one platform that won’t box you in.

For many new photographers, Afterify strikes that sweet spot — easy to use, beautiful out of the box, and powerful enough to scale as you grow. It’s the kind of tool that lets you focus on what matters most: your photos and your clients.

Ready to Try Afterify?

If you’re curious how Afterify compares in real life, give it a spin — you can set up your first gallery in minutes and start sharing without stress.

This blog was written and designed using the Afterify website builder