Best Reviewed
Photo Sharing
- Best photo-sharing website SmugMug *Est. $40
- Best free photo sharing Flickr *Est. $0
- Free photo-sharing/photo-editing suite Picasa Web Albums *Est. $0
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Best photo-sharing website
- Unlimited storage
- Advanced customization
- Superior privacy, backup options
- Responsive customer service
- Pricey
- Upgrade required for some features
April 2009. Although SmugMug is not as popular as photo-sharing services from Internet giants Yahoo! and Google, it is almost universally praised in the best reviews by experts and users as the most powerful and feature-rich photo-sharing service. Unlimited storage, an array of customization features, superior privacy and backup options, and excellent print quality are among the most appreciated features, and reviews that tested customer service found it very responsive. Reviews note that SmugMug is a top choice for professional users as well, with an excellent interface for selling images. However, even a basic SmugMug account is pricey compared to other photo-sharing services, and some useful features, such as the ability to share videos, are limited to those that upgrade to a Power account (*est. $70 per year). Professional photographers who want to profit from their work will need to spring for a Pro account (*est. $150 per year). If your needs are more basic, a free account from Flickr, which is owned by Yahoo!, draws kudos for its range of features and ease of use. A paid Flickr account (*est. $25 per year) adds important functionality, but does not fare as well in reviews as SmugMug.
FirstTube.com has the most comprehensive comparison of photo-sharing services and picks SmugMug as the best overall. Reviewers at Zerokspot.com and Photography Bay also provide thorough discussions of photo-sharing services, including SmugMug. The reports at PhotoSharingReviews.com, the Australian site Lifehacker and the blog TechnoFriends add a few additional insights. PhotographyReview.com is the best destination for reading user opinions.
Our Sources
This comparative review of eight photo-sharing services has the most objective and balanced analysis we found, rating each service on 15 pre-defined criteria. Mike Gravel picks SmugMug as the best overall photo-sharing service.
Review: Untitled, Mike Gravel, Oct. 3, 2007
This review describes the type of user to whom each of seven photo-sharing services might appeal. In the end, this anonymous reviewer picks SmugMug as his favorite, appreciating its customer support and foolproof backup methods.
Review: 7 Alternatives to Flickr, "Eric", Dec. 3, 2007
This review highlights key differences between several photo-sharing services and describes SmugMug as the only "real alternative." A comparison chart at the bottom of the review is particularly handy.
Review: Some Flickr Alternatives, Horst Gutmann, May 9, 2008
PhotoSharingReviews.com reviews and rates five photo sharing services and gives SmugMug the highest rating, appreciating its "feature-rich" service. Price is called "the only real drawback."
Review: Photo Sharing Reviews, Editors of PhotoSharingReviews.com
This Australian website rounds up five online photo-sharing websites that the site's readers voted as the best. SmugMug's price is the biggest hurdle, but the service is called a good choice for just about any photographer.
Review: Five Best Photo-Sharing Websites, Adam Pash, June 13, 2008
Six photo-sharing websites, including SmugMug, are described. What makes these sites the best is never really addressed, and discussion about each service is pretty much limited to features.
Review: 6 Best Photo-Sharing Websites, Vaibhav Pandey, Dec. 17, 2008
Nearly 20 users weigh in on SmugMug, granting it an impressive score of 4.9 out of five stars. Few weaknesses are cited, and all users seem willing to forgive those in light of the service's strengths.
Review: SmugMug Photo Sharing Reviews, Contributors to PhotographyReview.com, As of Mar. 2009
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