Review · Software & apps
SmugMug review
A paid photo storage and gallery service with unlimited full-resolution storage, private galleries and print sales.
By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 12, 2026
- Performance (40%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.9
- Value (35%)
- 6.8
SmugMug is a paid service built around unlimited, private galleries rather than a free starter tier. Its App Store listing describes the Keep plan as made for family moments, with truly unlimited storage at full resolution, Auto Upload over Wi-Fi and control over who can see each photo or gallery. Sharing works through direct links, without a feed or an algorithm deciding who sees what, and prints and gifts can be ordered from any gallery. On the US App Store, Basic costs $11.49 a month or $96 a year and Keep costs $13.99 a month or $119 a year. The website's Direct, Portfolio and Pro plans, from $24.58 a month billed annually, add selling tools for working photographers. The price is the obstacle: a family storing a few hundred gigabytes pays far less with iCloud Photos or Google Photos. SmugMug pays off for very large libraries, or for people who want polished private galleries and prints in one place.
Who it is for
families and photographers who want unlimited private galleries
Price
No free plan; Basic $11.49 per month or $96 a year, Keep $13.99 per month or $119 a year as in-app purchases on the US App Store; Direct from $24.58 per month billed annually on the website.
Power Monthly $17.49 Basic Monthly $11.49
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.
Key features
- Unlimited storage at full resolution
- Auto Upload backs up new photos when on Wi-Fi
- Private galleries with visibility control for every photo
- Direct gallery links with no feed or algorithm
- Prints and gifts ordered from any gallery
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Unlimited full-resolution storage on its plans
- Strength: Fine-grained control over who sees each gallery
- Strength: Prints and gifts built into every gallery
- Weakness: No permanent free plan
- Weakness: Most expensive entry price on this list at $11.49 a month
- Weakness: RAW file storage is an add-on on the website plans
Key facts
- Free plan: No, free trial only
- Cheapest app plan: Basic, $11.49 per month or $96 a year
- Family plan: Keep, $13.99 per month or $119 a year
- Storage: Unlimited, full resolution
Where it ranks
SmugMug is No. 9 in our Best Photo Storage Apps verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit smugmug.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@hearsmart.org