• ViewBug

ViewBug

Overview

ViewBug has a rating of 3.9 stars from 242 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with ViewBug most frequently mention photo contests, amateur photographer, and amazing photos. ViewBug ranks 3rd among Photo Sharing sites.

  • Service
    43
  • Value
    44
  • Shipping
    18
  • Returns
    16
  • Quality
    41

This company responds to reviews on average within 4 hours

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 73.1%
Positive
19
Neutral
1
Negative
6
74
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • It's hard to know how well your photo placed, as many people have said.
  • I even tried to report one photo because of the nudity and the picture ended up on my Facebook page.

Critical highlights

  • but the awards are meaningless because people get rewarded for liking photos and giving awards.
  • I am not a pro photographer but do believe that I have no chance of winning any contests on there.
How would you rate ViewBug?
Top Positive Review

“Great platform”

William H.
3/26/24

I love this platform so far. It brings the community of artist together. It also has some cool challenges

Top Critical Review

“Not a chance to win”

Caryn W.
2/21/24

I have been entering my photos in view Bug Contest for the last couple of years. I'm no louse when it comes to landscape photography. Some of my pictures are very very good. I have lost contests such as simple ones like image of the month two pictures that are no way near as good as mine. I I'm not trying to be conceited. There are many other photos that are just as good as mine that haven't won either. Unless you're a professional photographer or pay for a yearly subscription You're not going to win It's frustrating and disheartening I have a ton of awards But they're all made up ones or pure Awards which are important Because being liked by a photographer is Probably the most important thing. It makes me not want you even try anymore as far as photo contests are concerned. I read review after review of people who are really good but, not professional or maybe don't subscribe to there yearly membership who agree 100% as far as there silly coins they are basically coupons. They had one good item it's supposedly been sold out for 2 years.

Reviews (242)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

photos (80) contests (70) peer awards (11) people (63) work (57) time (62) members (52) facebook page (5) customer service (5) photography contests (4) amateur photographer (6) 3 years (6)
Thumbnail of user jermiap
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 13th, 2024

I'm overjoyed to get the opportunity to review ViewBug! This amazing tool has completely changed how I take and publish my photos. I've always had trouble finding a platform that meets my desire for inspiration and offers a passionate and encouraging community because I'm a beginner. Indeed, ViewBug has exceeded all expectations!

First of all, the website's interface is really gorgeous. It is simple to use, visually pleasing, and navigable. In a matter of minutes, I was able to set up my profile and begin adding pictures. Because of the layout's modern simplicity, my work really pops.

Speaking of my work, ViewBug has given me a ton of chances to display my abilities. The platform's numerous challenges and competitions have improved my abilities and given me more visibility in the photographic community. Seeing that my images are being appreciated and praised by other photographers and even expert judges gives me a rush.

ViewBug's community component is really amazing. I have never come across a bunch of people that are so encouraging and supportive. Having the chance to network with other like-minded photographers, exchange advice, and get helpful criticism has helped me take my photography to new levels. Knowing that there is always someone rooting for me and acknowledging my achievements makes me feel good.

Moreover, the ViewBug team has demonstrated remarkable responsiveness and attentiveness towards user input. In order to maintain the highest quality of experience, they are always updating and enhancing the platform in response to customer feedback. Their genuine desire to create a healthy and flourishing atmosphere, coupled with their passion for photography, is evident in their level of dedication and commitment to their community.

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Thumbnail of user carynw14
2 reviews
13 helpful votes
February 21st, 2024

I have been entering my photos in view Bug Contest for the last couple of years. I'm no louse when it comes to landscape photography. Some of my pictures are very very good. I have lost contests such as simple ones like image of the month two pictures that are no way near as good as mine. I I'm not trying to be conceited. There are many other photos that are just as good as mine that haven't won either.
Unless you're a professional photographer or pay for a yearly subscription You're not going to win It's frustrating and disheartening I have a ton of awards But they're all made up ones or pure Awards which are important Because being liked by a photographer is Probably the most important thing. It makes me not want you even try anymore as far as photo contests are concerned. I read review after review of people who are really good but, not professional or maybe don't subscribe to there yearly membership who agree 100% as far as there silly coins they are basically coupons. They had one good item it's supposedly been sold out for 2 years.

Thumbnail of user kellier.m
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

Winning contests isn't everything; it's the sense of belonging and encouragement that make it truly special. Great to be part of viewbug.

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Thumbnail of user pablol88
1 review
1 helpful vote
July 27th, 2023

Love the community, people have been so friendly and I've been able to access very nice rewards for free. I don't expect to win a contest but they give you a lot of motivation to keep participating.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Pablo,

Thank you for your kind words and for being a part of our wonderful community.

We are delighted to hear that you've had a positive experience and have found our rewards program enjoyable. Our team continues to work hard to create a supportive and friendly environment, and we're thrilled that you've felt motivated to participate. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to providing you with even more exciting opportunities in the future.

Keep up the great work, and thank you for being a valued member of our community!
Your friends at VIEWBUG

Thumbnail of user randalll.m
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 24th, 2023

Viewbug has opened doors to endless creativity. The contests and community support have fueled my passion like never before.

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Thumbnail of user sherryp526
1 review
2 helpful votes
November 28th, 2023

I've been a Viewbug member for many years and purchased the Pro+ subscription back when it was the highest level of pay categories. Now there are different levels and Pro+ is the lowest paid category. Viewbug promises a lot of exposure that never seems to happen. I was drawn to Viewbug because of all the contests and challenges. I've entered hundreds of contests and challenges, yet often times there is little to no evidence that a judge (or maybe anyone) ever even saw my photos. Never won anything, but tbh I really don't care about that. Most of the times, the winning image is stellar and way better than mine. In the early days, one could earn points for participating--load a photo, give an award to another photographer's image, vote on contest entries, enter a contest, etc. The more you participated, the more points you earned. Nothing really happened with those points though. It didn't earn you anything. Now you can earn coins for the first award you make or first photo you upload or first contest you enter, etc. You can actually exchange your coins for some decent prizes. I used coins to buy Microsoft Office for my new laptop. Unfortunately, I feel that was a bit of a scam because I was never able to get my license code to work, even when Viewbug gave me another code after I complained. I ended up having to purchase Microsoft Office anyway. I basically think this entire website is just for whoever created it to make money from member fees. There is really absolutely NOTHING you get in return for your money or your time. There are better places to share photos and receive real feedback. I have now cancelled my paid membership and vow never again to get duped by this kind of thing.

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Sherry,

Thank you for your review and your feedback.We are truly sorry for your experience with the rewards program and we can guarantee that we will make an effort to improve this experience in the future. Please remember that you can continue using this feature with a free membership. We hope to turn this around and offer you the experience you deserve.

All the best
Your friends at VIEBUG.

Thumbnail of user marcot133
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 9th, 2023

I have really enjoyed viewbug since I first created my account. I would like to know if coin prizes will renew any time soon? I think refreshing them would be a great incentive for us members!

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your review! We are thrilled to hear that you have enjoyed your experience on our platform.

Regarding your question about coin prizes, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our platform and provide more incentives for our members. We appreciate your feedback and will certainly take it into consideration as we continue to make updates and improvements.

Again, thank you for your kind words and for being a valued member of the ViewBug community. We look forward to seeing your continued contributions and creativity on our platform!

Thumbnail of user kelliec131
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 29th, 2022

I've been with viewbug for a couple years. It gets me upset that they will send you an email that your photo has been chosen in some things or another. But it never is. As an amateur you never win any contests. I paid once for the membership but will not do it again. I was so excited at first about this app, I was really into it but I'm just disappointed now. I'll never win one of their contests. I only have the mobile app and can't even access everything, it's frustrating. I'll be looking elsewhere for a better photography app.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Kellie. Please accept our apologies for the confusion. Please note that these emails are usually sent when a new contest is launched and a selection of photos is made by our editors. Unfortunately, with the great number of submitted photos, our editors are unable to select a photo for each member. This is why the email includes a link to select your photos to participate.

With that being said, we understand that some of our features are not available on our app. Our technical team is always working on new updates to bring these features to our app users as well.
All the best!

Thumbnail of user sandralona14
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 31st, 2023

The ViewBug community is simply amazing! I have made friends with photographers from around the world and their encouragement has motivated me to keep pushing my boundaries. Everyone is supportive

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Bill,

Thank you for your review!

We're thrilled to hear that you're enjoying the ViewBug community and finding it supportive. Keep pushing your boundaries, and we're here to cheer you on every step of the way.

Your friends at VIEWBUG.

Thumbnail of user johnc9645
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 2nd, 2023
Verified purchase

I have been an active and satisfied member of Viewbug since 2015. Recently I have had a problem with incorrect owner registration data for a domain purchased thru and managed by Viewbug. Repeated request (over 9 times) to correct this information have been ignored by member support staff. I am now saddled with a domain that I cannot use as intended because of this data registration mistake by Viewbug. As of this review, I have been "ghosted" by support staff for over a month with no remedy, or even acknowledgement of my plight, in sight.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello John,

We are truly sorry for this, please be sure to sen an email to members@viebug.com to receive assistance with this issue. Our team will be happy to help and correct this issue.

Thumbnail of user claudeb.c
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 24th, 2023

I have made connections with photographers from all over the world. ViewBug is like a global photography hub and I love being part of it.

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Thumbnail of user as1231
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 2nd, 2022

I have been a Pro+ member for several years now and at first it was reasonably good value but to be honest I now see no benefit from paid for membership and in fact no real benefit at all from the site. The incessant emails are annoying, the contests are pointless, and the so-called benefits of membership offer little that can't be obtained elsewhere, often free of charge.
I shall not be renewing my membership.

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Thumbnail of user ippkuou
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 24th, 2023

I can't believe how much my photography has improved since joining ViewBug. The tutorials and feedback from the community have helped me see things in a whole new light.

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Thumbnail of user louisn.c
1 review
1 helpful vote
July 29th, 2023

So much to do with my photos! I made my first sale on the viewbug gigs cannot believe it. My buddy receive a new gopro camera for winning a sports related contest hope I'm next

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Louis,

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear about your successful sale on ViewBug Gigs and your friend's exciting win in the contest.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out.

Your friends at VIEWBUG

Thumbnail of user jerryr648
1 review
1 helpful vote
February 4th, 2023

I have received messages from VB employees (Kristy/Nicole) asking for my input and/or questions. I only received scripted online form letters - never a human reply. UNACCEPTABLE!

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hi Jerry,

We sincerely apologize for any messages or inbox communications that have come across as impersonal or scripted. We do have an active Member Support Team (of real live humans:-)) at members@viewbug.com who are definitely able to assist and are willing to hear any concerns and even constructive feedback. We recognize that there is always room for improvement and we do genuinely care about our community. If you're interested, please feel free to contact our team at the email address above.

Thumbnail of user christopherj.p1
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

I can't express how much I love being a part of this community! Everyone is so welcoming and the free rewards they offer are just fantastic. Participating in contests is a bonus but the real joy comes from the support and encouragement I receive.

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Christopher,

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you love being a part of our community. It's fantastic to know that everyone has been welcoming and supportive, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere for you.

We're glad you're enjoying the free rewards and finding joy in the support you receive, this is what our platform is for after all. We're also delighted to have you as an active member.

If you ever need any assistance or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Keep enjoying your time here, and we look forward to seeing more of your fantastic contributions!

Best regards,
Your friends at VIEWBUG

Thumbnail of user sarahh1580
1 review
2 helpful votes
August 31st, 2021

... Still have the free membership I had on joining! Sure they invite you to upgrade, and encourage you with eg possibilities of more entries into contests and other perks, but kind of expected that anyway. I enjoy entering their contests very much, and happy to say voted in the top 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent in a number of these. Also like browsing other members work, and learning more - you never stop learning with photography! Viewbug is fun!

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Sarah,

We appreciate your feedback and are really glad to hear that you enjoy the ViewBug community!

Thumbnail of user marlynm.
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 24th, 2023

The prizes aren't just cool. They are amazing! It feels so rewarding to be recognized for your hard work.

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Thumbnail of user stevenc2588
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

ViewBug is a fantastic platform for photographers of all levels! I've been participating in their photo contests for over a year now and I must say it's been an amazing journey. The variety of contests they offer keeps things exciting and the community is incredibly supportive.

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Steven,

We're thrilled to hear that you find ViewBug to be a fantastic platform for photographers of all levels. We take pride in offering a diverse range of contests to keep things exciting and engaging for our members. It's wonderful to know that you've found our community to be incredibly supportive, as we believe that photographers thrive in a nurturing environment.
If you ever have any questions, need assistance, or want to share more of your photography journey with us, feel free to reach out. We're excited to continue this journey with you and see more of your submissions.

The VIEWBUG team.

Thumbnail of user materkj
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

Winning my first photo contest on ViewBug was an exhilarating experience! The recognition and exposure I gained were beyond my expectations. I can't thank ViewBug enough for providing a platform that appreciates and celebrates the art of photography...

Thumbnail of user alan.john.moss
1 review
4 helpful votes
April 29th, 2023

I had a paid for account for several years and at first it was of some value but as time went by the level of interest in my work dwindled to such an extent that I couldn't justify the cost. I have reverted to unpaid member ship but that is hardly worth the bother. All I get now is constant bombardment to renew paid membership. The contests are pretty meaningless, and I suspect that the awards are just bot generated.
SpringfieldPhotography

Products used:
It's a photography website

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Alan,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that your paid account no longer met your expectations.
Regarding the contests, we assure you that they are run by our team of experienced and passionate judges who carefully evaluate each submission. The awards are certainly not bot-generated, and we take great pride in recognizing and promoting the work of our talented members.
We appreciate your feedback and will take it into consideration as we continue to improve our platform. We hope that you'll give us another chance in the future and that we can provide you with a more fulfilling experience.

Thumbnail of user dorisw395
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 19th, 2023
Verified purchase

Great format to gauge your audience, participate in contests and receive feedback.
Viewbug provides easy access to creating a website and logos.
The memberships are reasonable.
Uploading from phone is the only downside.

Tip for consumers:
All photographers craving a community that challenges your ability.

Products used:
Website and logo templates combined with contests and feedback within app.

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Thumbnail of user geraldiner.j
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

I have participated in other photo contests elsewhere but I find ViewBug's approach to be the most unbiased and credible. It's reassuring to know that your work is evaluated based on its merits. The ranking and voting is clear and you cannot buy votes which I think is as fair as it gets

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Hello Geraldine,

Thank you for leaving us a fantastic 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you perceive ViewBug's approach to photo contests as the most impartial and reputable. Your acknowledgment of our dedication to fair evaluation, transparent ranking, and unbiased voting is greatly appreciated. We value your support, and we'll continue striving to provide an exceptional experience for our photography community.

All the best
Your friends at VIEWBUG.

Thumbnail of user stevenm2730
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 30th, 2023

I have been a Pro+ member since 2018. This site is fine to view other photographers' work, but their contests are a joke. My latest contest entry was ranked # 1 out of 12k entries when the contest initially closed. Within a couple of days, the rank changed to # 3. The contest then went 'In Review' for a week or so. The final results came in today. My photo is now # 2,783. WTF? Contests are a joke.

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Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T. – ViewBug Rep

Dear Steven,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We apologize for any misunderstanding and would like to clarify our process. Please note that our weekly rankings are determined solely by the number of votes received during that particular week, without taking into account previous weeks. Therefore, it is possible to rank in the top 10% during two separate weeks and not ultimately have a ranking in the top 50%, as the ranking is determined by the total number of accumulated votes received over the entire voting period. We hope this clarifies any confusion and thank you for your continued participation in our contest

Thumbnail of user kennetht.o
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 29th, 2023

Had a problem with a payment and the viewbug team took about 2 days to completely resolve my concern thank you! I'm happy with the freebies I received as a premium member I got a new domain and will publish my viewbug website soon

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From the business

Welcome to ViewBug, a creative community with the world's best photo contests. Approved by millions of photographers, the best brands and awesome judges. Join over 100 photo contests per year and browse a huge selection of quality photos.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user producl
ViewBug T.
Typically responds within 4 hours

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3.9
242 reviews
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