If you’ve been looking at WordPress photography plugins, you’ve probably noticed that some offer lifetime deals while others stick to annual subscriptions. At ShutterPress, we often get asked if we’ll introduce a lifetime licence. The short answer is no, not right now, and here’s why that actually benefits you as a photographer.
Lifetime Deals vs Subscriptions
A lifetime deal can look tempting. Pay once, use forever. But the reality is often different:
- Updates stop after a few years because the developer has no recurring income to support ongoing work.
- Support declines as the company shifts to new projects.
- Compatibility issues arise as WordPress and WooCommerce evolve, leaving you stuck with outdated software.
Many photographers end up moving away from plugins they bought on lifetime deals because the updates dried up. That’s frustrating, especially when your business depends on selling photos online smoothly.
Why Subscriptions Work Better for Photographers
With ShutterPress, you’re not just paying for the plugin today, you’re investing in its future. Subscriptions mean:
- Regular updates to keep your galleries fast, secure and fully compatible with WordPress and WooCommerce.
- New features added continuously — from gallery styles to integrated print fulfilment
- Dedicated support when you need it
Right now, ShutterPress Pro is $79 per year. With our 50% recurring discount vouchers, you’ll only pay $39.50 annually, and that discounted renewal price stays locked in for you. To compare, if we offered a lifetime licence it would likely be around €300 for a single site. That’s almost 10 years of renewals at the discounted rate.
Compared to Other Options
- Pixieset, SmugMug and ShootProof: These SaaS platforms charge higher monthly fees, often €20–40 per month, and you never own the platform. Stop paying, lose your galleries.
- Other WordPress gallery plugins: Some offer lifetime deals, but updates often slow down. Many also create a separate WooCommerce product for every photo, which quickly becomes unmanageable for large collections.
- ShutterPress: Affordable annual pricing, designed for large photo collections, with features built specifically for photographers who want to sell prints and downloads directly from their own website.
The Bottom Line
A sustainable pricing model means ShutterPress will keep evolving, just like your photography business. Annual renewals give us the resources to improve the plugin, provide reliable support, and ensure your galleries always work with the latest WordPress updates.
Lifetime deals might look like a bargain, but for photographers who rely on their website to generate income, consistent updates and long-term support matter more. With ShutterPress, you’re getting stability, sustainability, and value, without the risk of being left behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ShutterPress has a free version available in the WordPress plugin directory. It includes core gallery features so you can try it out before upgrading to Pro.
We’re not ruling it out completely, but right now our focus is on sustainable annual pricing that ensures ongoing updates and support.
ShutterPress Pro adds WooCommerce integration, advanced gallery layouts, watermarking, secure file delivery, and automated PDF downloads such as print licences or guidelines.
Unlike hosted platforms, ShutterPress gives you full ownership of your website and customer data. It’s a one-time setup on WordPress, with lower long-term costs compared to monthly SaaS subscriptions.
Yes. If you use the 50% discount voucher now, your renewal stays at €37.50 per year for as long as you remain subscribed.
