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
| Plan | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Direct | Hobbyists, basic sales | Simple setup, basic customization |
| Portfolio | Serious photographers | Custom domains, CSS/HTML, watermarks |
| Pro | Professional businesses | Client management, coupons, multiple pricelists |
Detailed feature comparison
Customization
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce lightbox | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shopping cart | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sell for profit | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom pricing | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple pricelists | - | - | ✓ |
| Photo packages | - | - | ✓ |
| Coupons/discounts | - | - | ✓ |
| Custom cart | - | - | ✓ |
| Boutique packaging | - | - | ✓ |
Client features
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery passwords | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Site password | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grant access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client area | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client downloads | - | - | ✓ |
| Events/Favorites | - | - | ✓ |
| Assistant password | - | - | ✓ |
Photo protection
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right-click protection message | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Watermarks | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Printmarks | - | ✓ | ✓ |
Content blocks & integrations
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact form | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Search box | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Menu navigation | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wufoo forms | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Calendar | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vimeo embed | - | ✓ | ✓ |
Advanced features
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart galleries | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Collect photos | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| QR codes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gallery stats | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pro lab access | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Camera connections | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Backprinting | - | ✓ | ✓ |
| Frame.io integration | ✓ | - | ✓ |
Support
| Feature | Direct | Portfolio | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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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