SmugMug

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.