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Lensdrop vs SmugMug: how they compare.
SmugMug is a portfolio and archive site with unlimited photo storage, billed annually, with a trial instead of a free plan. Lensdrop is a delivery link for one shoot, free to start and paid once when you share.
Side by side.
SmugMug's figures are from its public pricing page as of September 2026, simplified for comparison.
| Row | Lensdrop | SmugMug |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | LensdropOne-time per gallery, $2.99 to $19.99 by storage size | SmugMugAnnual subscription, about $23.58 to $43.67 a month billed annually |
| Free tier | Lensdrop1 gallery at 5GB, no card | SmugMugNone. 14-day trial |
| Cheapest paid step | LensdropOne 5GB gallery at $2.99 | SmugMugAbout $283 a year, billed annually, for unlimited storage |
| What you pay for | LensdropStorage for one shoot, bought when you share it | SmugMugA flat plan: unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage, RAW storage extra |
| Cost of a quiet month | LensdropZero. No gallery, no charge | SmugMugFull subscription price |
| Commission on your sales | Lensdrop0%. There is no store to take it from | SmugMugPrint sales through SmugMug's labs; SmugMug keeps a share of your markup |
| What clients need | LensdropOne PIN-protected link, no signups, any device | SmugMugSite galleries, passwords and private links |
| Proofing | LensdropWatermarked previews and clean downloads as independent switches | SmugMugWatermarks and right-click protection |
Prices and plans change. Verify on SmugMug's pricing page and Lensdrop's before deciding.
When SmugMug is the right choice.
If you want a permanent home for your whole archive, a portfolio site and print fulfilment through partner labs, SmugMug's unlimited storage is the point and the annual bill is fair for it.
When Lensdrop is.
If what you need is to hand one client one shoot, an archive plan is the wrong shape: you pay every month for storage you are not delivering. Lensdrop prices the delivery and nothing else.
Run the comparison on a real gallery.
Your first gallery is free. No credit card, no client signups, nothing to cancel.