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Photography · head to head

darktable vs Pixieset

darktable logo

darktable

Photography

Free open-source RAW photo editor and digital darkroom

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pixieset logo

Pixieset

Photography

Client gallery, store and studio management platform priced by storage volume

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: darktable open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies; Pixieset pricing is by storage, so cost tracks the size of your accumulated archive rather than current work, and a photographer five years in pays more than a new one shooting the same volume unless old galleries are archived off the platform.
  • They diverge on capability: darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Pixieset covers Client galleries.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which darktable and Pixieset actually diverge.

Attributes where darktable and Pixieset differ
AttributedarktablePixieset
Pricing modelfreePer month by storage volume
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Photography).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in darktable

  • Non-destructive RAW editing
  • Virtual lighttable
  • Wide camera RAW support
  • Tethered shooting
  • Color management and modules

Only in Pixieset

  • Client galleries
  • Store
  • Studio Manager
  • Website
  • Download controls
  • Mobile app
  • Client proofing
  • Analytics

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

darktable

  • Processing RAW photos without paying for a subscription editornot Pixieset
  • Organizing and cataloging large personal photo librariesnot Pixieset
  • Tethered shooting directly into an editing workflownot Pixieset
  • Applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original RAW filenot Pixieset

Pixieset

  • Delivering a wedding gallery with a pin code, a print store attached and download limits set per collectionnot darktable
  • Selling prints without holding stock, using an integrated lab that ships directly to the clientnot darktable
  • Running contracts, invoices and booking enquiries alongside delivery instead of paying for a separate studio CRMnot darktable
  • Giving a client a favourites list to choose album images without exchanging files by email or WeTransfernot darktable

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

darktable

  • Open-source with no vendor pricing: Darktable is released under GPL 3.0; no cost or licensing applies
  • Self-hosted photography workflow: customers bear full responsibility for hosting, maintenance, and support outside community
  • No commercial support model published: community-driven project with mailing lists and forums only; no commercial SaaS alternative
  • Community contribution required for feature development: no vendor roadmap for prioritized feature work; community volunteers drive development

Pixieset

  • Pricing is by storage, so cost tracks the size of your accumulated archive rather than current work, and a photographer five years in pays more than a new one shooting the same volume unless old galleries are archived off the platform.
  • The free plan takes a percentage commission on store sales, which means the photographers most likely to start free, those selling prints, are the ones the commission costs most, and the effective rate should be compared against ShootProof and Pic-Time before committing.
  • Print fulfilment is restricted to the labs Pixieset has integrated, so a studio with an existing lab relationship or specific paper stock cannot use its own supplier through the store.
  • There is no customer-selectable hosting region, so photographers working under contracts that require client images to stay in a specific jurisdiction cannot satisfy that requirement on Pixieset.
  • The website builder is a portfolio tool rather than a site platform, with limited page structure, no blogging depth and no real SEO control, so most studios that grow move the public site elsewhere and keep Pixieset for delivery.
  • Consolidating galleries, store, invoicing and site with one vendor means a pricing change, an outage or a policy change hits every part of the business at once, and exporting client and sales history out is a manual process.

Pricing, plan by plan

darktable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full RAW editing and lighttable features
    • Open-source under GNU GPL v3
    • No account or subscription required

Pixieset

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 GB of storage
    • Client galleries with download pins
    • Commission charged on store sales
  • Basic$8/month
    • 10 GB of storage
    • No commission on store sales
    • Custom logo and gallery colours
  • Plus$16/month
    • 100 GB of storage
    • Custom domain
    • Client proofing and favourite lists
  • Ultimate$undefined/month
    • Highest storage tier for archives that outgrow Plus
    • All gallery, store and branding features
    • Billed annually

Which should you pick?

Choose darktable if

  • You need non-destructive raw editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want virtual lighttable.
darktable review

Choose Pixieset if

  • You need client galleries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want store.
Pixieset review

Questions people ask

Is darktable or Pixieset better?
Neither clearly leads. darktable starts at Free and Pixieset at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, darktable or Pixieset?
darktable starts at Free and Pixieset at Free.
Does darktable or Pixieset run on more platforms?
darktable runs on windows, mac, linux. Pixieset runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use darktable for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is darktable best used for?
darktable is most often used for processing raw photos without paying for a subscription editor, organizing and cataloging large personal photo libraries, tethered shooting directly into an editing workflow, applying non-destructive edits that preserve the original raw file. Of those, processing raw photos without paying for a subscription editor and organizing and cataloging large personal photo libraries are not what Pixieset is typically brought in for.
What can darktable do that Pixieset cannot?
darktable covers Non-destructive RAW editing, Virtual lighttable, Wide camera RAW support, Tethered shooting. Pixieset covers Client galleries, Store, Studio Manager, Website.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

darktable: How much does Darktable cost?

Darktable is free and open-source under the GPL 3.0 license. There are no licensing fees, subscription costs, or commercial restrictions.

Source
Pixieset: Is the free plan actually usable for a working photographer?

For delivery, yes, at 3 GB. For sales, it is expensive, because the commission on every store order continues indefinitely while a paid plan removes it.

darktable: Is Darktable created by a commercial vendor?

No. Darktable is a community-driven open-source project 'created for photographers, by photographers.' It has no commercial vendor or SaaS model.

Source
Pixieset: What counts towards my storage?

Every file uploaded to a collection, including galleries delivered years ago. Archiving or deleting old collections is the only way to bring the number down.

darktable: How can I get support for Darktable?

Darktable is supported through community channels including mailing lists and forums. There is no commercial support option published on the website.

Source
Pixieset: Can clients download full resolution files?

Yes, if you enable it. Download size, pin protection and expiry are set per collection, so you can release web sizes immediately and full resolution after payment.

Pixieset: Can I use my own print lab?

No. Store fulfilment goes through the labs Pixieset has integrated, and self-fulfilment means handling orders outside the platform.

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