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pic-time alternative

A Pic-Time alternative with face search on every plan, not just the top one

Pic-Time is known for a beautiful print store, sales automations, slideshows, and art galleries. It is excellent if print revenue is the center of your business. But its selfie and face search sit on the top Advanced plan, and not every studio needs a store-first workflow. Here is a detailed look at where Shuttertide fits as an alternative.

Face search on every plan, incl. freeDelivery-first, not store-firstFull-quality downloadsFree plan with no storage cliff

Workflow consideration 1

Why photographers look for a Pic-Time alternative

Pic-Time's store and automation depth is powerful, but it is not a fit for every studio, and a few specifics push photographers to compare.

Selfie and face search are part of the Advanced plan (around $50/mo), not the lower tiers.

The free plan's storage drops from 10 GB to 3 GB after six months, which can surprise new users.

If print sales are not your core revenue, a store-first workflow adds setup you may not need.

Workflow consideration 2

Where Shuttertide fits

Shuttertide keeps the gallery at the center and includes the features photographers use during handoff on every plan.

Guests find every photo they appear in with a quick selfie on every plan, including the free plan.

The selfie is matched on the fly and never stored, so guest privacy is preserved.

Favorites, albums, and full-quality downloads stay close to the gallery, with quotes and approvals nearby.

Workflow consideration 3

Where Pic-Time is still strong

Pic-Time earns its reputation in areas that matter if selling prints is central to your studio.

Its premium, commission-free print store and product range are among the best in the category.

Sales automations, slideshows, blogs, and art galleries are polished and deep.

Studio and CRM integrations (HoneyBook, Studio Ninja, Pixifi, and more) are broad.

Workflow consideration 4

Deciding between store-first and delivery-first

The right choice depends on where your revenue and time actually go.

If print sales drive your business, weigh Pic-Time's store depth seriously.

If fast, branded delivery with face search is the priority, a delivery-first tool reduces overhead.

Try a full gallery on both before committing your season to one workflow.

Comparison view

Compare the workflow criteria that usually drive the decision

Decision area
Shuttertide
What to compare
Face / selfie search
Included on every plan, selfie never stored
Included only on the top Advanced plan
Free plan storage
5 GB, no time-based reduction
10 GB, drops to 3 GB after six months
Primary emphasis
Branded gallery delivery and client experience
Print store, sales automations, art galleries
Download quality
Original, uncompressed files
Confirm the quality clients receive on download
Quotes & approvals
Built in, close to the gallery
Focus is on store checkout and sales flows

Pricing comparison

Pic-Time vs Shuttertide pricing, tier by tier

Entry prices are close, but the biggest difference is where face search lives. On Pic-Time it is an Advanced-plan feature; on Shuttertide it is included on every plan, including free.

Tier
Shuttertide
Pic-Time
Free
$0 — 5 GB, face search included
$0 — 10 GB (drops to 3 GB after 6 months)
Entry
Starter $8/mo ($80/yr) — 100 GB, face search
Beginner $8/mo ($7/mo annual) — 20 GB, no selfie search
Mid
Essential $16/mo ($160/yr) — 500 GB, face search
Professional $25/mo ($21/mo annual) — 100 GB, no selfie search
Top
Pro $24/mo ($240/yr) — 1 TB, face search
Advanced $50/mo ($42/mo annual) — unlimited, selfie/face search included here

Selfie and face search on Pic-Time appear only on the Advanced plan (around $50/mo); Shuttertide includes face search on every plan.

Pic-Time's premium print store and automations are worth paying for if sales drive your business.

For branded delivery with face search, a lower Shuttertide tier can cover what you need.

Pricing shown is public list pricing in USD as of July 2026 and may have changed since. Always check each provider's current pricing page before deciding. Where a lower annual-billed rate exists it is noted in parentheses; annual billing lowers the effective monthly cost on both platforms.

FAQs

Questions photographers usually ask before choosing this workflow

Yes. Shuttertide is delivery-first, so if your business is not centered on a print store, it removes overhead while keeping galleries branded, fast, and easy for clients, with face search on every plan.

No. On Pic-Time, selfie and face search are part of the Advanced plan. On Shuttertide, face search is included on every plan, including the free plan; paid plans simply raise the photo and gallery limits.

Pic-Time's free plan starts at 10 GB but reduces to 3 GB after six months. Shuttertide's free plan is 5 GB with no time-based reduction and includes face search and unlimited galleries.

Yes. The free plan includes 5 GB of storage and unlimited galleries with no credit card required, so you can deliver real client work before deciding.

Keep delivery simple and branded

Keep the evaluation grounded in the workflow your studio actually runs.

Deliver a gallery on Shuttertide and see whether a delivery-first workflow with face search on every plan fits your studio better than a store-first one.