SmugMug
SmugMug is a platform for storing, sharing, and selling photography, with unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage in its plans.
What SmugMug is
SmugMug is a platform for storing, sharing, and selling photography, with unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage in its plans. RAW storage is available as a paid add-on. Its Direct plan includes privacy controls, digital delivery, Lightroom integration, and 24/7 live human support. Portfolio adds print and digital download sales, customizable website templates, and order fulfillment; Pro adds custom pricelists, coupons and packages, client favoriting, and download limits. Subscribers can use iOS and Android apps to view, organize, download, and edit saved photos, plus macOS and Windows apps for automatic uploading. Listed integrations include Adobe Lightroom and uploads from Flickr and Dropbox. Privacy settings and passwords can be applied to photos, galleries, folders, or web pages, alongside watermarks and right-click protections. SmugMug is based in Mountain View, California, and was founded in 2002.
Good
- Unlimited full-resolution JPEG storage
- Apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows
- Portfolio adds print and digital download sales
- Privacy settings and passwords apply to individual content
Watch out
- No free plan is available
- RAW storage costs extra
Who it suits
SmugMug suits photographers who want to store, share, or sell their work, whether as a hobby, side-hustle, or business. Its Portfolio and Pro features are geared toward photographers selling prints or downloads and managing client access.
Verdict
SmugMug combines photo storage and sharing with options for sales, client access, and privacy controls. It has no free plan, and RAW storage is an add-on.
Plans and prices
From SmugMug's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SmugMug Source RAW add-on | $10 a month | Up to 1TB RAW storage · $6/month for each additional TB |
| SmugMug Source RAW storage add-on | $10 a month | RAW file storage · pay for data used · $10/mo for up to 1TB; $6/mo for each additional TB |
| Direct | $20 a month | Unlimited storage · privacy controls · digital delivery · Lightroom integration · 24/7 live support · billed annually |
| Portfolio | $23.50 a month | Direct features · print and digital sales · customizable website templates · watermark protection · order fulfillment · billed annually |
| Pro | $37 a month | Portfolio features · custom pricelists · coupons and packages · client favoriting · download limits · billed annually |
| Enterprise | Priced on request | Tailor-made white-glove plan · studios · teams · institutions |
The facts
Each one read from SmugMug's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API
- SmugMug provides a REST-style API v2 for integrated applications, with an interactive Live API Browser and access for current subscribers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API access requirement
- Each application needs its own API key, and API versions 1.3.0 and earlier were removed in 2025.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API authorization
- The API uses OAuth 1.0a with read, add and modify permissions; request tokens last five minutes and access tokens do not expire unless revoked.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API licensing
- API terms grant a non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable license and allow SmugMug to throttle or change usage limits.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API limitation
- SmugMug says API versions 1.3.0 and earlier were deprecated and removed in 2025.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Client galleries
- Client tools include private password-protected galleries, favoriting, download controls and a client-management dashboard.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Ecommerce
- Portfolio and Pro plans support print and digital-download sales, pricing controls, payment integration, tax collection and fulfillment.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Official integrations include Adobe Lightroom, Flickr uploads and Dropbox uploads.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- SmugMug says photographers use the service for hobbies, side-hustles, and businesses.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Lightroom plugin
- The Lightroom plugin can upload photos, publish edits, create galleries and retrieve client favorites for proofing.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: missing features
- Reviewers cite absent face tagging, limited asset types, inability to download an entire folder and no JavaScript customization.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: search and organization
- Reviewers report faulty or weak search and difficulty organizing large photo libraries.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: value and connectivity
- Capterra reviewers complain that there is no free version, the service depends heavily on a stable internet connection and value-for-money scores are low.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Notable news
- SmugMug acquired Flickr from Yahoo in April 2018; the services remained separate products.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 20checked 21 Sep 2026
The company
- Company
- LinkedIn lists SmugMug as a privately held photography company founded in 2002 with headquarters in Mountain View, California and 51–200 employees.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company ownership
- SmugMug describes itself as a self-funded, family-owned business.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2002checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Mountain View, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
- Ownership and funding
- SmugMug said it is privately owned, has never raised venture capital and does not sell customer data to advertisers.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop apps
- Mac and Windows applications support automatic and scheduled photo uploading.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Android usability
- A Google Play reviewer criticizes weak search, lack of retry for failed uploads and date-only bulk uploading.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- iOS and Android apps provide viewing, organizing, downloading, editing, automatic upload and offline viewing.checked 15 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Nochecked 21 Sep 2026
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