Pixieset vs Pic-Time: which is right for you?
Choose Pic-Time if gallery presentation and print sales matter most, and budget for a separate CRM, because it doesn't include one. Choose Pixieset Suite for galleries, a website builder, Studio Manager and a mobile app in one subscription. Caloreel is a third option: galleries and a couples-first CRM together, without a website builder.
Facts checked 13 October 2026 · sources below
Pixieset
Client Gallery Pro
$30a month
- Storage
- 1 TB
- Client galleries
- Yes
- CRM
- Yes
- Store fee
- No commission (per Pixieset FAQ)
- Branding
- Removable
Pic-Time
Professional
$25a month
- Storage
- 100 GB photos
- Client galleries
- Yes
- CRM
- No
- Store fee
- 8% (0% if you collect payment yourself)
- Branding
- Removed
What actually
differs.
The points that change the decision, including the ones where we lose.
CRM: in Pixieset's Suite, not in Pic-Time
Pixieset sells its CRM, Studio Manager, on its own or bundled in the Suite. Pic-Time has no built-in CRM and integrates with HoneyBook, Studio Ninja and others, so you pay for a second tool.
Storage at each price
As of October 2026, Pic-Time Professional is $25 a month with 100 GB of photos, and Advanced is $50 with unlimited photos under its terms. Pixieset Suite Starter is $35 with 100 GB and Suite Pro is $50 with 2,000 GB; Pixieset's gallery-only Pro plan is $30 with 1 TB.
Store commission
Pixieset's FAQ says upgraded accounts pay no commission; its free plan charges 15%. Pic-Time takes 15% of order profit on Free and Beginner, 8% on Professional and 6% on Advanced, or 0% on Professional and Advanced if you collect payment yourself.
Pixieset's Suite includes a website builder
Pixieset's Suite includes a website builder and a mobile app alongside galleries, the store and Studio Manager. That matters if you don't already have a website you're happy with.
Branding
Pic-Time removes its branding from Professional upward. Pixieset's gallery branding is removable from its Basic plan upward, but Studio Manager branding only on Suite Pro and above.
Who should choose which.
Choose Pixieset if
- You want a website builder alongside your galleries.
- You want galleries, Studio Manager and a mobile app in one Suite subscription.
- You want to start on a free plan and upgrade later.
- You want no store commission on a paid gallery plan.
Choose Pic-Time if
- You sell a lot of prints and want a platform built around its art store.
- You already use a CRM such as HoneyBook or Studio Ninja.
- You collect payment yourself on Professional or Advanced, so commission is 0%.
- You run more than one brand and want Advanced's multi-brand option.
Choose Caloreel if
- You want galleries and a CRM in one subscription and already have a website.
- You book couples and want both partners on every contract and invoice.
- You want 1 TB and two team seats on the £20 Studio plan.
- You want to pay in pounds, with VAT included.
Every plan,
side by side.
Prices as published by each company. We don't convert currencies, and like-for-like features differ, so read the notes too.
| Feature | Per month | Billed yearly, per month | Storage | Store fee | Platform branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caloreel | |||||
| Caloreel Studio | £20 incl. VAT | £16.67 (£200/yr) | 1 TB | 3% of sale | None |
| Caloreel Unlimited | £45 incl. VAT | £37.50 (£450/yr) | Unlimited (fair use) | 3% of sale | None |
| Pixieset, as of October 2026 | |||||
| Pixieset Client Gallery Free | $0 | Not published | 3 GB | 15% store commission | Pixieset branding shown |
| Pixieset Client Gallery Pro | $30 | $24 | 1 TB | No commission (per Pixieset FAQ) | Removable |
| Pixieset Suite Starter | $35 | $28 | 100 GB | No commission (per Pixieset FAQ) | Studio Manager branding removable on Pro and above |
| Pixieset Suite Pro | $50 | $38 | 2,000 GB | No commission (per Pixieset FAQ) | Removable |
| Pixieset Suite Ultimate | $65 | $55 | Unlimited | No commission (per Pixieset FAQ) | Removable |
| Pic-Time, as of October 2026 | |||||
| Pic-Time Free | $0 | Not published | 10 GB photos | 15% of order profit | Pic-Time branding |
| Pic-Time Beginner | $8 | $7 | 20 GB photos | 15% of order profit | Pic-Time branding |
| Pic-Time Professional | $25 | $21 | 100 GB photos | 8% (0% if you collect payment yourself) | Removed |
| Pic-Time Advanced | $50 | $42 | Unlimited photos (T&Cs) | 6% (0% if you collect payment yourself) | Removed |
- Pixieset: Galleries, websites, a store and a separate CRM (Studio Manager), sold individually or as the Suite bundle.
- Pixieset: Prices shown in USD; no GBP pricing published.
- Pixieset: Studio Manager (CRM) alone: Plus $15/mo, Pro $24/mo ($18 annually).
- Pic-Time: Premium client galleries and an art store; no built-in CRM (integrates with HoneyBook, Studio Ninja and others).
- Pic-Time: Commission is charged on order profit, not the order total.
Competitor prices and terms checked on 13 October 2026 from each company's public pages. They change often: check the source before you decide. Prices in USD unless shown in pounds; Caloreel prices include UK VAT.
Moving
across.
Most studios switch between seasons, a few galleries at a time. Here's the order that works.
A bigger move? Email support@caloreel.com and we'll help you plan it.
- 01
Export your client list
Export clients as a CSV from Pixieset, or from the CRM you pair with Pic-Time, and import them into Caloreel.
- 02
Upload your gallery folders
Upload your galleries as folders. Galleries shot more than a year ago go straight to cheaper cold storage.
- 03
Finish what's already running
Let live galleries, open print orders, unsigned contracts and running payment plans finish on the old platform. Start new bookings in Caloreel.
- 04
Ask for help with a larger move
If you have years of galleries to bring across, email us and we'll help you plan the order and timing.
Further reading
Questions,
answered.
Is Pixieset or Pic-Time better for wedding photographers?
It depends on the job. Pic-Time focuses on gallery presentation and print sales but has no built-in CRM. Pixieset Suite covers galleries, a website, studio management and a mobile app in one subscription. Decide which jobs you want one tool to handle, then compare.
Which charges less commission on print sales?
As of October 2026, Pixieset says upgraded accounts pay no commission, and Pic-Time charges 0% on Professional and Advanced if you collect payment yourself. Pic-Time otherwise takes 6% to 15% of order profit depending on plan. Caloreel takes 3% of the sale on every plan, which is more than either at 0%.
Does Pic-Time have a CRM?
Not built in. It integrates with CRMs such as HoneyBook and Studio Ninja, and gives new paid users a free year of Studio Ninja. Pixieset's CRM, Studio Manager, is sold on its own or in the Suite.
Where does Caloreel fit?
Caloreel combines galleries, a print store and a CRM built around couples, from £20 a month including VAT with 1 TB. It has no website builder or native mobile apps, Gmail sync is in early access without Outlook support, and prices are in pounds only. It suits photographers who want one subscription and already have a website.
Are these prices in pounds?
No. Pixieset and Pic-Time list their prices in US dollars, and Pixieset publishes no GBP pricing. Exchange rates and any VAT will change what you pay in pounds, so we don't convert them. Caloreel's prices are in pounds and include VAT.
Try it beside what you use now.
Run Caloreel alongside your current tools for fourteen days, with every feature switched on and no card.