SmugMug (opens in new tab) is a media storage and sharing site that is easy enough for casual users but powerful enough for professional photographers. Considered best photo cloud storage services of many, the platform has a tempting offer: unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos.
This is not a classic cloud storage service. SmugMug is a photo-focused platform, centered around image organization and management (including RAW file management through SmugMug Source). Securely supported by AWS, it is multi-platform, available online, Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It even has basic editing tools, a website builder and a e-commerce platform.
In fact, it is not unlike Flickr – the popular photo site acquired by SmugMug back in 2018 – which we described as “a strong entry point to the cloud storage space for image and video storage” in our hands-on review.
We found both services across platforms that were easy to use, both with an emphasis on the social and commercial aspects of photography, and both offer unlimited photo and video cloud storage to subscribers.
In our latest SmugMug review, we praised it as “a great website building option for all photo enthusiasts out there – there is unlimited storage and you can easily upload quality photos. Although there are not as many templates as other website builders, every template is designed to appeal more specifically to professional photographers. “
But how does SmugMug live up to its promise to be “your all-possible photo venue” today?
With the question that goes through our heads, we take a look at what one of the best image storage and sharing sites has for professional and enthusiastic shutterbugs
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30 second review
SmugMug’s online image storage service is easy to use, beginner friendly, yet incredibly feature rich. We found the platform, which offers unlimited cloud storage in full resolution for photos and videos, ideal for anyone who wants to store photos securely online. But it is perfect for professional photographers and creatives.
With powerful website design and e-commerce tools, SmugMug has simplified how photographers can reach new audiences, showcase their work and sell their images.
There may be more features than enthusiastic shutterbugs need, of course. So the four different subscription plans provide a flexible way to choose best photo cloud storage option for you.
SmugMug: Prices
- 4 subscription packages, no free storage plan
SmugMug does not offer a free cloud storage option – although it does give users a 14-day free trial (and no credit card required).
To take advantage of SmugMug’s image storage and sharing, you must purchase a subscription. The service runs four monthly subscription plans, each of which is based on what is included in the previous level.
Basic ($ 11 p / m) is aimed at casual users looking for unlimited cloud storage. Electricity ($ 16 p / m) is for those who want to start showing their photos online. Portfolio ($ 34 p / m) will be the best choice for anyone who wants to start selling their photos. Pro ($ 50 p / m) is designed for those who take the photography business to the next level.
If you prefer, subscriptions can be paid in advance annually, which includes a discount of around 30% depending on the package you have chosen.
SmugMug: Get started
- Smart, stylish interface that is easy to use
SmugMug’s interface is smooth and stylish. Exactly as expected from a creative platform built for those with an eye for detail. Navigation is fluid and simple – everything is where it should be and works as it is expected to work, and most actions can be performed by dragging and dropping or pressing toggle switches.
That simplicity makes the platform overly inviting for new users. It only takes seconds to start uploading photos and adjusting photos. Some of the more slanted options even include a “What is this?” button, and takes you into the SmugMug Help Center for detailed details so they can get the most out of each feature.
If we have a (albeit small) complaint, we would like to see a right-click file upload and other quick actions, as in Google Photos.
Despite this simple, even effortless interface, SmugMug reveals its powerful nature when it’s time to start building new galleries.
SmugMug: Create galleries
- Extensive control over galleries and images
Pictures uploaded to SmugMug are located in galleries – on the front of it, folders to help you stay up to date on all your pictures (and if you are not interested in photo organization, you are free to add everything to the standard gallery) . But it is worth using them where possible. We found that it made image processing and designing your photo site faster later.
When you press the upload button, SmugMug allows you to send images to a new gallery, an existing gallery or upload an entire folder. By selecting a new gallery, you will be greeted with a comprehensive settings pop-up window.
Take your time here, because it’s not just where you decide the gallery’s appearance. You’ll also find options for setting gallery access, image visibility and privacy, and social and sharing tools. All of these settings can be saved as a preset default.
Professional photographers and companies will find more settings here. If you plan to share, showcase and sell your photos, you can go into the Shopping area to set purchase options.
If you want to strengthen your protection, SmugMug also gives you total control over what users can see and do in your gallery. It’s all controlled through simple drop-down menus and toggle switches. So you can easily limit image display sizes and stop other users from saving your work by disabling the right-click context menu.
The ability to create and add custom watermarks to photos is especially effective. An effective tool, it allows you to quickly place basic text or an image over your media, with controls for size, font and toning. Image-based watermarks can be uploaded separately, or downloaded from the SmugMug library. In use, everything is basic, but everyone is very welcome.
- Good third-party cloud storage support and powerful engagement metrics for top subscribers
Getting your photos on SmugMug is smooth and fast. We especially appreciated the support for a number of external cloud storage services. With support for Dropbox, LightroomGoogle Photos, Flickr and Amazon photosit’s easy to get pictures into your online library.
Although it covers some of the more popular providers of photo cloud storage, we would like to see more integrations added. In practice, we experienced connecting and uploading to third-party storage services as relatively fast – although it is naturally faster to upload files from the computer.
Once your photos have been uploaded and added to a gallery, you can open them in the viewer. This site has a few options, such as checking comments and downloading the image. You can also click View Gallery Engagement.
And this is one of SmugMug’s great extras. In addition to statistics and Google Analytics support, Portfolio and Pro subscribers can access engagement metrics for each of their galleries. Here you can see which images get the most views and downloads, and which galleries are most popular with visitors.
SmugMug: Photo editing
- Only important editing tools
When it comes to Photo editingdo not expect anything in the scope of Adobe Photoshop (or even best Photoshop options). SmugMug’s rudimentary offerings contain all the basic tools, but there is little in the way of full editing capabilities.
As such, you can crop and rotate your photos, add titles and captions. You can add existing watermarks – and if you have not created any yet, SmugMug will take you straight to the simple watermark screen.
Elsewhere, color effects allow you to adjust the look of your image. However, these are essentially just filters, with no granular control over the effects.
It is also important to note that using any edits will overwrite the original file.
SmugMug: Share, show and sell
- Easy to build a professional website for e-commerce or portfolio
SmugMug is far more than just an online website for hosting photos. While idling in your library, go ahead and click + Create. How to create new galleries, folders and – best of all – a completely customizable one site builder to showcase your art.
This is best suited for professional photographers who want to build or increase their online presence and follow. But even Basic subscribers can create their own photo site – even if pro-style customization and design tools are removed from the base package.
It’s a layout without code, so you do not have to be a developer or professional designer to get the most out of the tools here. Start by choosing a layout and theme that suits your style. The themes, we thought, were a bit basic in nature, but there were plenty of them to balance it out, and you can adjust them to your liking for proper personalization.
Once you are happy with the look, you can start dragging and dropping content boxes into place on the page. This makes it a breeze to place photos, text and videos on a website with a personal domain name. In fact, you can customize just about anything to make the site right for you, right down to the distance between the images. The results have a real professional polishing.
For photographers looking to monetize their work, SmugMug also has an impressive list of e-commerce tools that complement the website builder. You can easily set your own prices (or use a suggested price list provided by the site) and create coupons. On the admin page, SmugMug allows you to manage financial data and branding options for image orders.
RAW file management with SmugMug Source
SmugMug’s file extension is standard. Images must be in JPG, GIF, PNG, HEIC formats. Supported video files meanwhile include H.264, MOV, AVI and most MPEG formats. Note, however, that frame rates are only preserved for 30FPS recording.
RAW files are also supported. And it’s a big deal for photographers and businesses who choose the best photo cloud storage. RAW files are uncompressed images, which contain all the grooves and extra details that are often lost when uploading to a cloud storage.
Fortunately, SmugMug’s focus on photographers’ needs means that RAW file management is supported through SmugMug Source. With SmugMug Source, you can manage photos via apps on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Adobe Lightroom, billed as a “modern photographer management platform”.
SmugMug: Should I buy?
Buy it if …
- You will have unlimited cloud storage for photos and videos – it is available on all subscription packages
- You want to showcase or sell your images – the website design and e-commerce tools are unique
Do not buy it if …
- You need free cloud storage – SmugMug is for subscription only
- You want an image storage site with a complete image editing program – image editing tools are best for minor adjustments
Also consider…
If SmugMug is not for you, take a look at these photo cloud storage options.
