Most comparisons of these three are written by one of the three (really — check the bylines). This one has no affiliate links, no referral fees, and a calculator for the question the articles skip: at your volume, do the paid plans actually pay for themselves?
| Printful | Printify | Gelato | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | owns its factories | marketplace of print shops | network of local printers, 30+ countries |
| Base costs | highest | lowest (pick your printer) | mid, strong in EU/UK |
| Consistency | most predictable (same factories) | varies by chosen print shop | generally good, printer-dependent |
| UK/EU orders | EU facilities | depends on printer choice | strongest local production = faster, fewer customs surprises |
| Free plan | yes | yes | yes |
| Paid plan | $24.99 (−22%) | $24.99 (−20%) | $23.99 / $19.99-annual (−25%) |
| Pick it when… | brand consistency > unit cost | unit cost > everything | your buyers are UK/EU |
Snapshot verified August 2026 — providers change base costs and plans often; their pricing pages are the authority. Start on the free plans: all three let you compare real base costs on your actual products before any subscription. Fuller reasoning in the guides below.