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2026 Comparison

12img vs Pixieset

Pixieset's pricing page shows the plan price — not what you actually pay. Add contracts, invoicing, and CRM separately and you're at $55-95/month.

Pixieset's pricing looks competitive until you realize it only includes gallery hosting. Contracts cost extra (HoneyBook at $19-40/mo). Invoicing costs extra. CRM costs extra. And in 2023, Pixieset raised prices across all tiers with minimal notice. 12img includes galleries, contracts, invoicing, CRM, and a client portal — galleries free, full suite from $9/mo — with a price lock guarantee that means the price at signup is the price forever.

At a Glance

12img wins 12 of 27 feature categories

Feature12imgPixieset
PricingFree – $29/mo$0 (10 GB) | $15/mo (100 GB) | $22/mo (500 GB) | $33/mo (1 TB)
Client Gallery Delivery
Contracts + E-Sign
Invoicing + Payments
Client PortalBasic
Cross-Provider Client Login
Automated Workflows
Video Delivery
Website BuilderComing soon
Client CRM
Print Store / Storefront
Mobile Gallery App
Digital Product Sales
Vendor Network / Directory
Custom Domain
Watermark + Image Protection
Email Campaigns
Built-in AnalyticsBasic
Client Intake Forms
Form → Contract Auto-fill
Lead → Contract → Invoice Pipeline
AI Image GenerationNano Banana Pro 2
AI Video GenerationVeo 3
AI Writing / SEO
Smart Image SearchPlanned
Data Export / Migration
Price Lock GuaranteeLocked at signupRaised prices in 2023
Full-Resolution DownloadsPixelated zoom on mobile

Why Photographers Switch from Pixieset

The most common reasons photographers make the move.

1

Pixieset's free plan enforces watermarks and expires galleries after 3 months. 12img Starter ($9/mo) has no watermarks and galleries never expire.

2

Pixieset is gallery-only. Contracts, invoicing, and CRM require separate tools costing $35-60/month extra.

3

In 2023, Pixieset raised prices across all tiers. 12img has a Price Lock Guarantee — your rate never changes.

4

Pixieset free plan has 10 GB storage and 3-12 month gallery expiry. Clients lose access to their wedding photos.

5

Pixieset's zoomed previews pixelate on mobile — clients screenshot instead of downloading full resolution.

6

Adding HoneyBook for contracts ($19-40/mo) + Pixieset for galleries ($15-33/mo) = $34-73/mo for what 12img includes at $9/mo.

Honest Assessment of Pixieset

What Pixieset does well

  • Clean gallery interface
  • Integrates with some print labs
  • Mobile app for clients
  • Well-known in the wedding photography industry

Where Pixieset falls short

  • Gallery-only — no contracts, invoicing, or CRM
  • Free plan watermarks all photos
  • Gallery expiry on free/lower plans (3-12 months)
  • Raised prices across all tiers in 2023
  • Combined with contract tool = $55-95/mo total
  • Print shop markups 3-10x over consumer labs
  • Zoomed previews pixelate on mobile
  • No price lock guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Pixieset actually cost for a wedding photographer?

Pixieset plans range from free to $33/mo, but galleries are only part of the picture. Most wedding photographers also need contracts (HoneyBook $19-40/mo), invoicing ($10-20/mo), and a CRM ($15-30/mo). Total: $44-123/mo. 12img includes all of these starting at $9/mo.

Did Pixieset raise prices?

Yes. In 2023, Pixieset raised prices across all plan tiers. There is no price lock guarantee. 12img offers a Price Lock Guarantee — the price you pay at signup is the price you pay forever.

Is Pixieset free plan worth it?

Pixieset's free plan gives you 10 GB of storage but enforces watermarks on all photos and expires galleries after 3-12 months. Your clients lose access to their wedding photos. 12img's free plan includes 3 galleries with 200 images each and 3 GB storage — and our Starter plan at $9/mo removes watermarks, adds a custom domain, never expires galleries, and includes CRM.

What's cheaper — Pixieset plus HoneyBook or 12img?

Pixieset Basic ($15/mo) + HoneyBook Starter ($19/mo) = $34/mo minimum for galleries + contracts. 12img Starter ($9/mo) includes both plus invoicing, client portal, and CRM. You save $25+/mo and eliminate managing two separate platforms.

Ready to simplify your photography business?

Galleries, contracts, invoicing, and CRM — one platform, one login, one monthly bill.

Free Resource

The Wedding Photographer's Business Checklist

Every system you need to run your business — from intake to delivery. One page. No fluff. Built from the workflows inside 12img.

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