Sharefetti vs Google Photos shared albums for weddings and events
Thinking of a Google Photos shared album for your wedding or event? Both can collect photos from your guests. The difference is who has to do what: shared albums work best when everyone already uses Google Photos, while Sharefetti is built so any guest can add photos by scanning a QR code, with no app or account.
- Your guests use a mix of iPhone and Android and you don’t want anyone installing an app
- You want photos on a big screen during the event
- You want voice and video messages alongside the photos
- You want to approve photos before everyone sees them
- Your guests all already use Google Photos
- You want a free album that stays in your account indefinitely [verify]
- It’s a small family gathering and moderation doesn’t matter
- You don’t need a slideshow or guestbook
Side by side
| Feature | Sharefetti | Google Photos shared album |
|---|---|---|
| Guests need an app or account | No. Scan a QR code, type a name | Usually a Google account to add photos [verify] |
| How guests join | QR code on table cards, or a link | Shared link |
| Photo quality | Original files, full quality | Depends on the uploader’s backup settings [verify] |
| Live slideshow | Yes, updates in seconds (Celebration and Business) | Not built for events |
| Voice and video guestbook | Yes (Celebration and Business) | No |
| Host approval before photos show | Yes | No |
| Download everything | One zip of originals (paid plans) | Yes, via the album or Google Takeout [verify] |
| How long it’s kept | 7 days to 6 months, depending on plan | As long as the album exists, counts toward storage [verify] |
| Price | Free plan; paid from $19 CAD / $15 USD per event | Free, within your Google storage [verify] |
| Branding for companies | Logo and colours (Business) | No |
Where Sharefetti wins
Where Google Photos wins
Use both
Plenty of hosts collect everything with Sharefetti on the night, then download the full gallery and add it to their own Google Photos library to keep forever. That’s the setup we recommend.
- Create your Sharefetti event and print the QR cards.
- Guests share all night; the slideshow and guestbook run themselves.
- The next day, download everything as one zip of originals.
- Upload the zip to your own Google Photos (or any library) to keep forever.
Questions people ask
Is Sharefetti free like Google Photos?
Sharefetti has a free plan for up to 10 guests and 50 photos, kept for 7 days. Paid plans start at $19 CAD / $15 USD per event, paid once.
Can guests upload to Sharefetti without an account?
Yes. Guests scan the QR code, type their name and pick photos from their camera roll. No app, no account, no password unless you set one.
Does Sharefetti keep my photos forever?
No. Galleries are kept for 7 days to 6 months depending on your plan, and never longer than 6 months after the event date. Download your originals and keep them wherever you like.
Can I move my Sharefetti photos into Google Photos?
Yes. Download the full gallery as a zip, then upload it to Google Photos or any other photo library.
Is there a Google Photos alternative for events?
Yes. QR code photo sharing services like Sharefetti are built for events: guests scan a code and upload in their browser with no app or Google account, and you get a live slideshow, guestbook and one-click download. See all the options in our roundup of the best event photo sharing apps.
Which is better for a wedding?
For most weddings, Sharefetti, because guests of every age can share without installing anything, and the slideshow and guestbook add to the day. Many couples then copy the photos into their own Google Photos.
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