Smugmug vs. Zenfolio

[PitRow]

Hi all, I have a feeling I'm about to open up a can of worms, but I'm trying to decide what to use for showing/selling my photos.

Other than the price difference ($100/yr vs. $150/yr) is there really much difference between smugmug and zenfolio?

Thanks in advance!

[PitRow]

no one huh?

[Bonish Photo]

Sorry I didnt see this when you originally posted the question

I've never used Zenfolio, so I cant comment on that, but we've used Smugmug for a few years now and we cant say enough about their service, their quality and the adjustablility/customization of their gallery pages.

cge80uNDMZZ1Y - Enter that code and you get $5 off the membership fee

I've also heard from other members who use Smugmug that their Bayphoto printing center is better than the other one I cant seem to remember the name to.

I'd recommend their service to anyone and cant talk enough about them. They also have the best, fastest customer service I've ever delt with from any company!

[etn123]

I tried their free 14 day trials, and for me Zenfolio was less complicated but both are great. I have attached my site hosted by Zenfolio below.



http://www.etnphotography.com

[fotofreak]

They are both pretty easy to use....once you get the hang of either.

Smugmug rules, I think, especially because of video. Being able to create an autoplay video of the best pictures we have, with our choice of background music, and uploading to our site to show to potential clients is definitely special.

BTW, I do collect smugmug coupons for everyone to use at my smugmug coupon codes site. Coupons keep changing, but someone new can save 50% ($75) off from the Pro account.

Call me partial, but I like sticking with someone who keeps up with technology, has great features, and not so bad customer service (Smugmug doesn't offer phone support, but email support is pretty quick...but still, you know what I mean).

[gldiana]

I use Zenfolio. In 3 days my first year will be up and I have been wondering if moving to SmugMug was a better option. I look at the two companies/services, compared websites, and prices... and I really don't see much of a difference other than SmugMug being about $50/year more expensive. Two days ago I got an email from Zenfolio showing some features they will be adding shortly including complete customization of a web page and music. So, I decided to stay with Zenfolio.
For printing Zenfolio uses several labs, including my all time favorite: Mpix (check other threads here in the forum for Mpix comments and reviews).

If you decide to go with Zenfolio the referral code UQ7-SFJ-HUT will get you $5 off.

[bosphoto]

Zenfolio is easy to use, and looks great if you happen to like their particular layouts. There are really only about 9 options that you can choose from. And they are cheaper, and have a slightly better fee structure if you want to sell your photos online.

On the otherhand, SmugMug has a lot more customization options, so if thats your thing, or you have a more particular look and feel in mind, it is likely to work better there. Plus their support is great and very fast, as others have mentioned. But it takes more work to get it up and running.

Here is a detailed Zenfolio and SmugMug Review that breaks down all the features side-by-side.

The good news is you can get free trials of each one, and see what you like better if you still aren't sure.

[gldiana]

Zenfolio just added a bunch of new features, the list is here:
http://www.zenfolio.com/zf/news

[bosphoto]

Another site to consider is PhotoShelter, they are a bit more expensive at the higher end plans, but they have some good features that both Smug and Zen don't have (ftp account, virtual agencies, personal archive, etc). Worth giving it a look. PhotoShelter Review here

[danielmartin]

Well, as per my view I never use Zenfolio, so I can not comment, but we have used a few years at a http://www.smugmug.com now we can not say that their services and their quality and adjustablility / customize your gallery page is not enough. I can not see difference between web site is http://www.smugmug.com than other more expensive by about 50/year. Two days ago I received an email from Zenfolio they show some of the features, including the short term will add a fully customizable Web pages and music. So I decided to stay with Zenfolio.