The SmugMug Alternative

SmugMug Alternative — Modern UX, Free Plan, EU Hosting

SmugMug has two decades of features — and the complexity to prove it. Glassline is the modern, EU-hosted alternative with a clean UX you and your clients will love.

Feature by feature

Don't be smug — be stunning.

You're looking atGlassline
SmugMug
Privacy & Hosting
EU-data hosting
No viewer sign-up required
Gallery Features
Password-protected galleries
Mobile-optimized galleries
Lightning fast loading speed
EXIF metadata
Live gallery preview while editing
Portfolio
Portfolio site
Photographer About page
Downloads & Pricing
Image download
Gallery download
Free plan available
Be honest with yourself

Which tool is right for you?

Choose Glassline if…

  • Want a modern UX that you and your clients will love
  • Care about how your galleries look and feel on every device
  • Want your clients to open a link and immediately see their photos — nothing else
  • Like that viewers can see the aperture, ISO, and focal length behind each shot
  • Want your photos stored in the EU with no data leaving Europe
  • Prefer simple, predictable pricing without paying for features you don't use
  • Want a free plan that doesn't expire after 14 days
  • Want to know you can export all your photos and move platforms any time, free of charge

Choose SmugMug if…

  • You need unlimited storage and don't mind paying for the extras that come with it
  • Print sales with integrated lab fulfilment are core to your business
  • You want a full portfolio website, custom domain, and Lightroom plugin in one platform
  • A branded iOS app for your clients matters to your workflow
What you get

Why Glassline

Start free, stay affordable

Glassline's free tier never expires — no 14-day countdown. When you're ready for more, the Hobby plan is $9/month — less than half of SmugMug's cheapest option. Simple pricing, no surprises.

EU-hosted infrastructure

Every component runs in the EU. Your clients' photos never leave European soil. No adequacy decisions, no SCCs, no transfers to challenge.

Zero viewer sign-ups

Clients open a link and see the gallery. No account creation, no app download, no email collection. Less friction for your clients, a structurally smaller GDPR footprint for you.

What you build is what they see

Glassline's gallery editor shows you exactly what your client will see — same layout, same feel, same experience. No guessing, no publish-and-check cycles.

Only what you need

No portfolio builder, no print labs, no CRM, no Lightroom plugins. Glassline does one thing — beautiful, fast, private client galleries — and does it exceptionally well.

No lock-in

Your photos are always yours. Download all your originals at full resolution, any time, at no extra cost. No export fees, no special process — if you ever move on, your work moves with you.

Simple pricing

One plan for everything

Free

Get started with no commitment

  • 2 galleries
  • 200 MB storage
  • Public, private and password-protected galleries
Recommended
Hobby

everything you need

$9/month
  • 25 GB storage
  • Unlimited galleries
  • Password protection
  • Custom photographer profile
  • Public & private sharing
  • Cancel anytime
Enterprise

Custom plans for studios & agencies

  • Custom storage limits
  • Unlimited galleries
  • Priority support
  • Dedicated onboarding
  • SLA guarantee
  • Team seats
  • SSO
Make the switch

Ready to leave SmugMug?

SmugMug is a mature platform with over 20 years of development. If print revenue or a portfolio website are central to your business, it's a solid choice. If you want EU hosting, zero client friction, and simple pricing — Glassline is free to start.

EU-hosted. GDPR-first. Built by two founders in Munich.

Made in Munich 🍺🥨 with love.