These two tools solve the same problem — generating lots of mockups without doing it one at a time — but they work completely differently. Bulk Mockup is a Photoshop plugin that runs locally on your machine. Scaylr runs in a browser with no software required. If you already pay for Photoshop and have your own PSD templates, Bulk Mockup makes sense. If you don't — or if you're looking for a built-in template library and a free starting point — Scaylr is the shorter path.
Both tools exist because the one-at-a-time mockup workflow doesn't scale. Once you're launching more than a handful of designs a month, spending 10 minutes per mockup in Photoshop stops being sustainable. Bulk generators solve that. Where Scaylr and Bulk Mockup differ is in how they solve it, and that difference matters depending on your setup.
The fundamental difference
Bulk Mockup is a plugin for Photoshop CC 2022 or later. You install it inside Photoshop, point it at folders containing your PSD templates and your design files, and it runs the batch locally on your machine. No internet connection needed once it's set up. The processing happens through Photoshop's rendering engine, which is fast — they advertise over 100 mockups per minute on capable hardware.
Scaylr is a browser tool. You open it, upload your design file and select templates from the library (or upload your own PSDs), and the batch runs on the server. You download a ZIP when it's done. No Photoshop, no installation, no local processing. It works on any machine that can open a browser.
That difference — plugin vs browser — shapes almost every other aspect of how they work.
Template library
Bulk Mockup doesn't have a template library. It works with whatever PSD files you bring to it. That's flexible if you already have a collection of templates, but it means you need to source them yourself — buying from marketplaces, downloading freebies, or creating your own. There's a setup cost before you generate a single mockup.
Scaylr includes a free template library with poster frames, mugs, t-shirts, tote bags, and more. You can start generating mockups immediately after signing up, with no external assets required. You can also upload your own PSD files if you have templates you prefer — the library is a starting point, not a ceiling.
Both tools support custom PSDs. Bulk Mockup requires any smart object layer to be named "@design." Scaylr works with any standard Photoshop smart object layer. If you've already invested in premium PSD mockup packs, both tools can use them.
Pricing
Bulk Mockup costs $15/month or $77/year. Both plans include unlimited mockup generation and installation on up to two devices. There is no free tier — they offer a 7-day money-back guarantee instead.
Scaylr has a free tier that lets you generate mockups daily without a subscription. Paid plans start at $9.99/month for unlimited clean exports without watermarks. If you're testing whether batch generation fits your workflow before committing, the free tier lets you find out without spending anything.
What Bulk Mockup does better
Speed, for one. Local processing through Photoshop's rendering engine is fast. If you're generating thousands of mockups in a single session, the hardware-accelerated local approach will outpace server-based generation.
File organisation is another. Bulk Mockup lets you define custom naming conventions and automatically sorts exports into structured subfolders. If you have a specific folder system for your shop assets, you can configure the output to match it.
Animated and video mockups are supported — static images only in Scaylr. If you need mockup videos for Etsy listings or social content, Bulk Mockup handles those.
What Scaylr does better
No Photoshop required is the obvious one. Photoshop costs money on top of any Scaylr subscription, takes time to learn, and ties you to specific hardware. You can run Scaylr on any machine that can open a browser — including one you don't own.
The built-in template library means zero setup before your first batch. For new sellers who don't yet have a PSD collection, that's a practical advantage.
The free tier lets you test the workflow before paying. Most sellers know within a few sessions whether batch generation is actually going to change how they work.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Scaylr | Bulk Mockup |
|---|---|---|
| Requires Photoshop | No | Yes (CC 2022+) |
| Browser-based | Yes | No — desktop plugin |
| Free tier | Yes | No (7-day refund only) |
| Built-in template library | Yes | No — bring your own PSDs |
| Custom PSD support | Yes | Yes |
| Batch processing | Yes | Yes |
| Processing speed | Server-based | Local (hardware accelerated) |
| Video/animated mockups | No | Yes |
| Starting price | Free / $9.99/mo | $15/mo ($77/yr) |
Which one fits your situation
If you already pay for Adobe Creative Cloud, have a library of PSD templates you've collected over time, and generate mockups in large volumes, Bulk Mockup is a logical fit. You're paying for Photoshop anyway, and a local plugin that processes hundreds of mockups per minute makes sense at that scale.
If you don't have Photoshop — or don't want to depend on it — Scaylr is the more accessible option. The free tier makes it worth testing before committing. The built-in library means you can start generating useful mockups on day one rather than spending time sourcing templates first.
For most Etsy and print-on-demand sellers who aren't already deep in the Adobe ecosystem, Scaylr is the shorter path to a functional batch workflow. For Photoshop power users who want maximum speed and full control over file organisation, Bulk Mockup is a serious tool.
The choice usually comes down to whether you already use Photoshop. If yes, Bulk Mockup plugs into what you already have. If no, buying Photoshop to unlock a mockup plugin is an expensive route to a problem Scaylr solves for free.
Try Scaylr free — no Photoshop needed
Upload your design, pick templates from the free library, download your batch as a ZIP. Free to start, no credit card required.
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