Smugmug vs Zenfolio 2010

Which one would you choose. Im torn between both based on my research.

Zen seems to give the better templates but some of the negatives are in the limits to edit them. Smug gives you the most control. Im partial to both here.

Zen doesnt seem to offer video support at the moment. Smug does.

Both Zen and Smug have pricing option with zen looking like a slightly better deal but not by much.

So I open this up to everyone. If you have either one which one have you chosen and why vs the other? If not this one then what other option? I know many of us have our own personal website but i have come across enough people who not only have thier personal sites but also one of these two hosts.

Thanks again for your feedback!

Personally, I wouldn't fret the decision too much. I'm with ZF because (IMO) they were a little ahead on issues that mattered to me at the time. But inevitably, they leap frog each other. One service offers better this, then the next thing you know, the other service offers better that. I continue to be very happy with my ZF relationship, but I'd probably not be any less happy with SM.

I would wait a few days for this poll as Zen is about to do a new release. They are upgrading Wednesday and Thursday nights this week. The only confirmed feature (announced in their forums) is packages.

Thanks Brian!

bkburns wrote in post #11212617
I would wait a few days for this poll as Zen is about to do a new release. They are upgrading Wednesday and Thursday nights this week. The only confirmed feature (announced in their forums) is packages.

And this is the point of my earlier post. Neither one is especially clearly better than the other; they just leap frog one another. After this upgrade, SM will certainly follow with another eventually. You can't make a bad choice, IMO.

If you do decide to go ZF, here's my referal code: X9Z-9PQ-Q2Y

Does anyone know when Zen will be releasing a video feature?

i like my zf!

I'm thinking about switching to Zen from SM. Can anyone tell me if you can allow your customers to download the original file for free?

Thanks!

you can on Zen... you have make that option available. Contact me via PM and I Can help you get that going for you- even thought I hate the thought of doing that.

jd- I heard of something in the works, but do not know if/when that will be released.
as for the the OPs main question.

I went with zen over sm for the sales aspect of it primarily. I find that the lab of Zen is much better than that of SM. Mpix and mpix pro kind kick beach in the bum.. personal opinion though. I have the highest tier account with zen and couldnt be happier. If you have any questions concerning anything personal, contact me via PM.

^Thanks Dave.

no problem..

dpct wrote in post #11432072
Can anyone tell me if you can allow your customers to download the original file for free?

You can do that on SmugMug as well. I even put a download button above each photo.

http://photos.mattmcgu​ire.com …97_D79eD#102651​5956_mxJhA

It only works on galleries where you have originals turned on.

How did you put the download and facebook buttons on there?

canonnoob wrote in post #11432091
you can on Zen... you have make that option available. Contact me via PM and I Can help you get that going for you- even thought I hate the thought of doing that.

jd- I heard of something in the works, but do not know if/when that will be released.
as for the the OPs main question.

I went with zen over sm for the sales aspect of it primarily. I find that the lab of Zen is much better than that of SM. Mpix and mpix pro kind kick beach in the bum.. personal opinion though. I have the highest tier account with zen and couldnt be happier. If you have any questions concerning anything personal, contact me via PM.

Thanks a lot Dave. Wasn't zen going to allow you to build packages which your customers could buy? I think that was the next big move on thier part.

That is now available via Zen.

Zen also has launched a third party post processing deal for those who need the assist. You send your images to the editor, they finish them and upload them to Zen for you (for a price, obviously...)