CUSTOMSMUG

SmugMug Plan Comparison - Direct vs Portfolio vs Pro

Detailed feature comparison between SmugMug's Direct, Portfolio, and Pro plans to help you choose the right subscription for your needs.

SmugMug offers three main subscription plans: Direct, Portfolio, and Pro. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right plan for your photography business or personal use.

Quick overview

PlanBest forKey features
DirectHobbyists, basic salesSimple setup, basic customization
PortfolioSerious photographersCustom domains, CSS/HTML, watermarks
ProProfessional businessesClient management, coupons, multiple pricelists

Detailed feature comparison

Customization

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Basic themes
Customize homepage
Customize all pages-
Custom CSS-
Custom HTML-
Custom domain-
Cart theme customization-
System pages customization-

Most tutorials on this site require Portfolio or Pro plans because they involve custom CSS or HTML.

Commerce & selling

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Commerce lightbox
Shopping cart
Sell for profit-
Custom pricing-
Multiple pricelists--
Photo packages--
Coupons/discounts--
Custom cart--
Boutique packaging--

Client features

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Gallery passwords
Site password
Grant access
Client area-
Client downloads--
Events/Favorites--
Assistant password--

Photo protection

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Right-click protection message-
Watermarks-
Printmarks-

Content blocks & integrations

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Contact form
Video
Search box-
Menu navigation-
Wufoo forms-
Google Calendar-
Vimeo embed-

Advanced features

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Smart galleries-
Collect photos-
QR codes
Gallery stats
Pro lab access-
Camera connections-
Backprinting-
Frame.io integration-

Support

FeatureDirectPortfolioPro
Email support
Live chat support--

Choosing the right plan

Choose Direct if you:

  • Want to share photos with family and friends
  • Need basic selling capabilities
  • Don't require customization beyond homepage
  • Are testing SmugMug before committing

Choose Portfolio if you:

  • Want your own domain (yourname.com)
  • Need custom CSS/HTML for branding
  • Want to sell prints for profit
  • Need watermarks and image protection
  • Are a serious hobbyist or emerging professional

Choose Pro if you:

  • Run a photography business
  • Need client management tools
  • Want to offer coupons and packages
  • Need multiple pricelists for different clients
  • Require dedicated support

You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Start with what you need now and upgrade as your business grows.

Current pricing

For current pricing, visit the official SmugMug Plans page.

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