Job workflow instead of a shop system.
Pictrs is primarily a print-shop system for photo sales. Lumio is a workflow tool for pro studios — a gallery per job, client selection, RAW delivery. Both from Germany, both GDPR-compliant. Which fits your model?
Different tools for different models
Pictrs and Lumio target different business models. Here's the distinction so you don't pick the wrong tool:
Pictrs fits if …
- … your revenue comes mainly from print sales
- … you run a portrait studio with sales sessions
- … sports or event photography with high order volumes
- … you need a real image-sales platform (B2C)
Lumio fits if …
- … your revenue comes from fees and job handling
- … you do wedding, editorial or business jobs
- … clients receive RAW files or high-resolution originals
- … you value branding and design per gallery
- … GDPR + open-source insurance matter
Feature comparison
As of June 2026
| Feature | Lumio | Pictrs |
|---|---|---|
| Server location EU/DE | ✓ | ✓ |
| Both German providers — no Schrems II discussion. | ||
| GDPR data processing agreement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Main purpose | Job galleries & selection | Image sales via shop |
| Integrated print shop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Both integrated. Pictrs takes a commission per sale; with Lumio you connect your own lab (e.g. Prodigi or Gelato) and keep the margin between sale and lab price. | ||
| Gallery design for pro jobs | ✓ | Limited |
| Pictrs galleries are functional but designed primarily as a shop frontend. Lumio is geared toward the pro job workflow. | ||
| Client selection (likes, stars, comments) | ✓ | Limited |
| RAW delivery | ✓ | — |
| Video streaming (HLS) | ✓ | — |
| Custom domain | from Studio (€39) | ✓ |
| Service fee on sales | — | ✓ |
| Pictrs charges a service fee on sales (amount depends on the plan). Lumio takes no commission on any external sales. | ||
| Source-available / self-host option | ✓ | — |
| Entry price (paid) | from €9/month | from ~€12/month |
Frequently asked questions
Pictrs has a free tier — why should I move to Lumio? +
Pictrs Free is a shop system for occasional sales. If you mainly do job galleries for weddings/portraits and don't actively sell through your gallery, you don't really need a shop system — and the free tier lures you with functionality you won't use. Lumio focuses on the workflow: upload gallery, clients select, original download. Without shop overhead.
Pictrs has the print shop Lumio lacks. Why switch then? +
It depends on your business model. Both offer print sales straight from the gallery. The difference is the model: Pictrs ties you to its billing system and takes a commission per sale, while Lumio lets you connect your own lab (e.g. Prodigi or Gelato) and leaves you the margin between sale and lab price. If you want control over the lab and margin, Lumio fits better.
What about service fees on sales? +
Pictrs takes a service fee on every sale (amount depending on the plan). So on a €50 print sale, less than €50 reaches you. With Lumio the print shop is integrated: clients order straight from the gallery, you connect your own lab (e.g. Prodigi or Gelato), and the difference between sale and lab price is your margin.
Which tool for which studio model? +
Rule of thumb: if your revenue comes mainly from hourly rate × jobs and print sales are <20% of revenue, Lumio fits. With a high print share (30%+, typical for portrait studios with sales sessions), it's worth looking at the terms: Lumio lets you choose your lab freely and leaves you the margin between sale and lab price.
Can I use both in parallel? +
Yes. Some studios do exactly that: job galleries in Lumio (for weddings, editorial), sales galleries in Pictrs (for portrait studio sales). The tools aren't mutually exclusive.
Which workflow fits you?
If you're not sure: create a test gallery in Lumio and compare the experience with your current Pictrs setup. The trial is free and needs no card.