A Pixieset alternative for studios that hire crew
Pixieset is best known for client galleries. Pixieset Suite adds a studio manager with forms, quotes, contracts, invoices and booking. It also runs a print store inside your galleries. Suite costs $35 to $65 a month, or $28 to $55 billed yearly. Starter comes with 100 GB of storage. Its galleries are polished and very widely used. Its site lists no team seats and no crew tools. There are no crew slots, no clock-in and no crew pay. bckendIQ runs the client side, the galleries and the crew in one app.
Pixieset
$35–$65/mo
bckendIQ
From $49/mo
When to choose Pixieset
Galleries are the heart of your business, and you sell prints from them. You work alone or with one partner. Pixieset’s galleries are polished and very widely used. It costs less than bckendIQ to start, and its studio manager covers the basics.
When to choose bckendIQ
You hire second shooters, helpers or editors. You want one app from the first message to the last payslip. And you want each person’s hours and pay worked out for you.
Feature by feature
bckendIQ wins 4 of 10 rows. Pixieset wins 4. Checked against the live vendor pages on 2026-10-10.
| What it does | bckendIQ | Pixieset | Who wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $49 or $89/mo, storage included; 0% of client payments | $35 to $65 a month, or $28 to $55 billed yearly | Pixieset |
| Client galleries | Clients pick favourites, write notes on the photo, approve and download | Its main product. Favourites, downloads and a print store | Pixieset |
| Storage | 250GB on Studio, 500GB on Studio Pro | 100 GB on Starter, 2,000 GB on Pro, no limit on Ultimate | Pixieset |
| Selling prints | Not offered | Print store built into the gallery | Pixieset |
| Forms, quotes, contracts, invoices | Yes | Yes, in its studio manager | About the same |
| Booking calls | Booking calls that check your calendar | Online booking | About the same |
| Team seats | 3 on Studio, 5 on Studio Pro then $10 each; freelance crew free | No team seats listed | bckendIQ |
| Crew slots and claims | Roles, how many people, and crew claim a shoot | Not listed | bckendIQ |
| Who turned up | Crew clock in for each session | Not listed | bckendIQ |
| What you owe crew, and payslips | Worked out from checked hours and locked | Not listed | bckendIQ |
Common questions
Can bckendIQ replace Pixieset?
For galleries and the client side, yes. Clients pick favourites, write notes on the photo, approve and download. But if you sell a lot of prints from your galleries, keep Pixieset. bckendIQ has no print store.
Does Pixieset handle second shooters?
No. Pixieset’s site lists no team seats and no crew tools. There are no crew slots, no clock-in, and no record of what you owe a second shooter.
Is Pixieset cheaper than bckendIQ?
Yes, to start. Pixieset Suite starts at $35 a month, or $28 billed yearly, with 100 GB. bckendIQ starts at $49 a month with 250GB. Pixieset’s studio manager on its own even has a free plan. If you only need galleries and a few contracts, Pixieset costs less.
See it on your own shoots
Free through October 31, 2026. Paid plans start November 1, 2026. No card needed.
Get started free