Head to head
Zenfolio vs Pixieset
Zenfolio is one of the oldest platforms in photography and Pixieset one of the most popular. Both do websites, galleries and selling, so the comparison turns on breadth against polish, and on what each one charges extra for.
The short answer
Zenfolio is broader: it includes a culling tool, video hosting and a mature print store, and it targets sports and school photographers specifically, which Pixieset does not. Pixieset is more focused and generally the better client-facing gallery experience. Zenfolio prices booking and scheduling as a separate add-on and geo-prices its plans, so compare your local currency total rather than the advertised figure.
Side by side
| Zenfolio | Pixieset | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | €6/mo | $8/mo |
| Free plan | None | 3 GB |
| Metered by | storage | storage |
| Platform fee on sales | Sales included on paid plans | 0% on paid plans; 15% on the free plan |
| Billing currency | EUR | USD |
| Top tier | Unlimited JPEG + 150 GB video | Unlimited |
Zenfolio checked 2026-08-15 against its pricing page; Pixieset checked 2026-08-14 against its pricing page. Both platforms can change pricing at any time.
Choose Zenfolio when
Zenfolio is the better fit
- You need video hosting alongside photo galleries.
- You want a culling tool in the same subscription as delivery.
- You shoot sports, schools or events, which Zenfolio builds for directly.
- You want the largest library of website and gallery templates.
Choose Pixieset when
Pixieset is the better fit
- The client-facing gallery experience is what you are optimising for.
- You want the simpler, more predictable product with fewer add-ons.
- You want the larger community and more shared knowledge to draw on.
- You want a free tier to start on.
What neither of them does
Zenfolio charges separately for booking and scheduling; Pixieset charges separately for Studio Manager. Neither headline price includes the client-booking half of the job, which is worth adding to both columns before deciding.
For the record, we build Xposure, which bundles a portfolio, client galleries and a booking manager into one plan from €8/mo. That is the only mention it gets on this page. If you want it argued properly, read Xposure vs Zenfolio or Xposure vs Pixieset.