OneBrowsing > Compare > Website Builder > Portfoliobox vs PhotoShelter vs Pixpa – 10 Pros & Cons

Portfoliobox vs PhotoShelter vs Pixpa – 10 Pros & Cons

Updated on 14 Mar 2025

OneBrowsing

 4.5

(Reviews: 240)

Est. users: 50K

Price Ranges: $8.49 - $12.49 - $18.49

 4.3

(Reviews: 200)

Est. users: 150K

Price Ranges: $9.99 - $49.99 - $99.99

 4.5

(Reviews: 200)

Est. users: 15K

Price Ranges: $12 - $16

Portfoliobox vs PhotoShelter vs Pixpa

Portfoliobox is a website builder tailored for creative professionals to showcase portfolios, while PhotoShelter offers robust tools for photographers with a focus on e-commerce and client proofing. Pixpa combines both portfolio creation and client proofing with the added benefit of integrated marketing tools for photographers and creatives.

Portfoliobox

  1. Designed for creative professionals
  2. Customizable templates available
  3. No coding skills required
  4. Focus on visual storytelling
  5. Affordable pricing plans
  6. Includes online store features
  7. Built-in blogging platform
  8. User-friendly interface

PhotoShelter

  1. Targeted towards photographers
  2. Advanced photo storage options
  3. E-commerce capabilities
  4. Client proofing tools included
  5. Secure photo backups
  6. Customizable website designs
  7. Marketing and SEO tools available
  8. Includes image theft protection

Pixpa

  1. All-in-one portfolio builder
  2. Drag-and-drop website editor
  3. Built-in online store
  4. Photography proofing tools
  5. Affordable pricing and plans
  6. Supports blog creation
  7. Responsive design templates
  8. Third-party integrations available

Key Differences

  1. Ease of Use

    Portfoliobox offers a more intuitive interface with drag-and-drop functionalities that cater to beginners with little to no technical skills, making it extremely accessible.

    Winner: Portfoliobox

  2. Customizability

    Pixpa provides extensive design customization with various templates and a comprehensive style editor that allows more personalization options than the other two platforms.

    Winner: Pixpa

  3. Photography Features

    PhotoShelter is tailored specifically for photographers, offering advanced features such as client proofing, gallery download options, and integrated print services that cater uniquely to photographers' needs.

    Winner: PhotoShelter

  4. E-commerce Capabilities

    Pixpa boasts robust e-commerce tools with integrated payment gateways and marketing tools that support not just selling images, but a wide variety of products.

    Winner: Pixpa

  5. SEO Features

    Portfoliobox provides comprehensive SEO optimization tools that help users ensure their portfolio is effectively indexed and ranked by search engines.

    Winner: Portfoliobox

  6. Price and Costs

    Portfoliobox offers a competitive pricing structure with more affordable options for freelancers and independent artists compared to the comprehensive packages offered by PhotoShelter and Pixpa.

    Winner: Portfoliobox

  7. Integration Options

    Pixpa integrates smoothly with third-party applications such as social media, marketing tools, and other web services, providing more flexibility in connecting different platforms.

    Winner: Pixpa

Distinct Features

PortfolioboxPhotoShelterPixpa
Customizable templates without codingAdvanced real-time insights and image use trackingBuilt-in SEO tools
Integrated blog platformSecure image storage and backupIntegrated cloud storage for media files
Client proofing galleriesPrint and merchandise sales with automated fulfillmentAll-in-one platform for portfolio, blog, and client galleries
No commission on store salesExtensive licensing management for selling rights to photosMobile gallery apps for clients
Free domain for the first yearIntegrated email marketing toolsCustom CSS and HTML editing for advanced customization

Pricing Overview

Portfoliobox

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Bronze Plan ($8.49) - For individuals or freelancers
  2. Silver Plan ($12.49) - For photographers, designers, and artists
  3. Gold Plan ($18.49) - For agencies or businesses

Bronze Plan

$8.49 / Monthly

Ideal for personal websites

  • Custom domain

  • Unlimited pages

  • E-commerce functionality

Silver Plan

$12.49 / Monthly

Suitable for growing portfolios

  • All Bronze features

  • Password-protected pages

  • Ad-free hosting

Gold Plan

$18.49 / Monthly

Best for professional portfolios

  • All Silver features

  • Google Analytics integration

  • Priority customer support

PhotoShelter

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Basic Plan ($9.99) - Suitable for freelance photographers or beginners
  2. Standard Plan ($49.99) - Ideal for professional photographers and studios
  3. Pro Plan ($99.99) - Designed for agencies and large photography businesses

Basic Plan

$9.99 / per month

Entry-level plan for individuals

  • Customizable Templates

  • Online Photo Storage

  • E-commerce Integration

Standard Plan

$49.99 / per month

Mid-tier plan for growing businesses

  • Advanced SEO Tools

  • Client Proofing

  • Image Delivery

  • Web Design Tools

Pro Plan

$99.99 / per month

High-end plan for established brands

  • Advanced Analytics

  • Built-in Marketing Tools

  • Video Integration

Pixpa

View Pricing Plans  

  1. Basic ($12) - Suitable for freelancers and small businesses
  2. Pro ($16) - Recommended for photographers and artists

Basic

$12 / Per Month

Ideal for beginners

  • Custom Domain

  • Client Galleries

  • SSL Security

Pro

$16 / Per Month

For growing businesses

  • Online Store

  • Blog

  • SEO Tools

Indepth Overview

PortfolioboxPhotoShelterPixpa
Portfolio Management
feature1 ★4.5 - Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for easy portfolio creation. ★4.7 - Excellent for photographers with client-proofing tools.★4.4 - Integrated eCommerce for selling artworks directly.
feature2 ★4.3 - Variety of templates available for different styles. ★4.6 - Strong image protection features including watermarking.★4.2 - Automated SEO features to improve visibility.
feature3 ★4.2 - Built-in blogging feature to showcase creativity. ★4.5 - Advanced stock photography capabilities for selling images.★4.6 - Client galleries and proofing tools included.
Customization
feature1 ★4.1 - Limited customization compared to competitors. ★4.6 - Highly customizable layout options for galleries.★4.5 - Extensive customization options with visual editor.
feature2 ★4.7 - CSS editing available for advanced users. ★4.5 - Multiple themes suited for different photography niches.★4.0 - Custom domain support for branding.
feature3 ★4.0 - Unique layout options like grid and slideshow. ★4.3 - Easy branding customization for portfolios.★4.6 - Personalized website templates for diverse needs.
eCommerce Features
feature1 ★4.8 - Comprehensive selling options for photographers.★4.6 - Built-in eCommerce for selling products.
feature2 ★4.2 - Option to sell prints via external links. ★4.7 - Subscription and commission sales models available.★4.5 - Digital downloads supported for instant access.
feature3 ★4.4 - Simple pricing models for selling artwork. ★4.3 - Inventory management features included.
Marketing Tools
feature1 ★4.1 - Basic SEO options available. ★4.4 - Strong marketing tools like blog integration.★4.3 - SEO friendly with meta tag management.
feature2 ★4.0 - Email marketing integration is limited. ★4.5 - Advanced analytics for tracking audience engagement.★4.6 - Blogging capabilities to enhance website content.
feature3 ★4.3 - Social media sharing features are user-friendly. ★4.6 - Integrated email marketing solutions.★4.4 - Social media tools for marketing.
User Support
feature1 ★4.2 - Help center articles available. ★4.8 - Excellent customer support including live chat.★4.5 - 24/7 customer service via live chat.
feature2 ★4.3 - Email support provided for premium users. ★4.7 - Comprehensive knowledge base for troubleshooting.★4.3 - Extensive support documentation available.
feature3 ★4.1 - Limited live support options. ★4.5 - Dedicated account managers for enterprise users.★4.4 - Responsive email support.
Unusual Features
feature1 ★4.0 - Unique way to showcase portfolios as visual stories. ★4.5 - Ability to create private galleries for clients.★4.4 - Built-in client proofing tools for easy reviews.
feature2 ★4.1 - Collaboration tools for client feedback directly on projects. ★4.6 - Integration with Lightroom for streamlined workflow.★4.3 - Customizable client proofing workflows.
feature3 ★4.2 - Community features for networking with other artists. ★4.8 - Robust app ecosystem for mobile photography.★4.5 - Interactive presentations for showcasing portfolios.

Comparision Reviews

Samantha Bright

Austin, TX

Portfoliobox is fantastic for creatives looking for flexibility in designing their online galleries. The customizability is a big plus, making it easy to create a unique portfolio. PhotoShelter, on the other hand, excels in its robust storage and display options, especially for photographers needing quick client access. Overall, for design flexibility, Portfoliobox takes the lead, but PhotoShelter is unmatched in storage and client access.

Portfoliobox 4.5

PhotoShelter 4.2

James Harlow

Toronto, ON

PhotoShelter's seamless integration with e-commerce tools makes it ideal for photographers selling prints online. However, Portfoliobox shines with its simpler, more intuitive interface suited for beginners. If selling is a priority, PhotoShelter is the choice, but for ease of use and creative expression, Portfoliobox is preferable.

Portfoliobox 4

PhotoShelter 4.3

Lucia Mendez

Barcelona, Spain

The community support in PhotoShelter is very active, aiding quicker problem-solving. However, Portfoliobox offers better aesthetic control and more modern templates. For photographers who appreciate community and networking, PhotoShelter is better, but for design-focused users, Portfoliobox is optimal.

Portfoliobox 4.1

PhotoShelter 4.4

Ethan Clark

Sydney, Australia

Portfoliobox’s pricing is very competitive, making it a good starting point for new photographers. In contrast, PhotoShelter offers advanced tools that justify its higher cost for professional photographers. If budget is a constraint, Portfoliobox is excellent, but for professional-grade features, PhotoShelter is worth the investment.

Portfoliobox 4.3

PhotoShelter 4.5

Caroline Kim

Seoul, South Korea

PhotoShelter provides superior image protection features, crucial for professional photographers concerned about image theft. Portfoliobox offers more design freedom but lacks some security elements. Choose Portfoliobox for creative design options and PhotoShelter for enhanced security and image protection.

Portfoliobox 4

PhotoShelter 4.6

Comments

Alice Green
Just got asked which is better between Portfoliobox, PhotoShelter, and Pixpa for showcasing photography. Any thoughts?
Tommy23
I've been using Pixpa for a year now. Super easy to use and customize. What's your priority, Alice?
Zara P.
Tommy, does Pixpa support e-commerce integrations smoothly?
Tommy23
Zara, yep it sure does! Plus, it's got decent SEO tools too. Win-win!
Ben Foster
I tried PhotoShelter. It's a bit more on the pro side, but the backup system is top-notch. Peace of mind if you've lost files before. 😂
JaneDoe42
Ben, was it easy to share galleries with clients on PhotoShelter?
Ben Foster
JaneDoe42, sharing is straightforward and clients can even download directly if you allow it. Nice and professional interface.
Alice Green
So it sounds like Pixpa is great for ease of use and SEO, while PhotoShelter tops in security and sharing features. What about Portfoliobox?
Zara P.
Portfoliobox is super flexible in design. Lacks e-commerce features though, compared to the others. But if you want a unique look, it's a good choice.
JaneDoe42
So what you mean is: Pixpa for business growth, PhotoShelter for security, and Portfoliobox for creativity. 😂 Guess it depends on what you need.
Ben Foster
Yeah, JaneDoe42 summed it up perfectly! Choose your fighter, Alice! 😅
Alice Green
Thanks, folks! This clarifies a lot. Might lean towards Pixpa for now, exploring creativity later. 😊

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