Comparison · updated October 2026
The short answer
A shared Google Drive folder is a file dump, not a photo album: uploading usually requires a Google account, files count against your 15 GB free storage, and guests browse filenames rather than a gallery. Eventoly gives guests a one-scan upload page and you a real album, slideshow and guestbook.
At a glance
| Feature | Eventoly | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan (20 uploads) · paid $49 / $59 / $89 one-time per event | Free (15 GB shared with Gmail & Photos) |
| App needed for guests | No — guests upload from their phone's browser | Drive app or browser |
| Guest account / login | No login, no email | Google account to upload to a folder |
| Upload limit | Unlimited photos & videos on every paid plan | Limited by your storage |
| Video uploads | Yes | Yes |
| Photo quality | Original quality, no compression | Original files |
| Live slideshow | Yes — live slideshow (Standard & Pro) | No |
| Guestbook | Written notes + voice messages (Standard & Pro) | No |
| Approve uploads first | Yes — approve uploads before they appear | No |
| How long photos are kept | 6 months to 2 years, by plan | Your Google storage quota |
| Download everything | One-click ZIP of the full album | Yes |
Google Drive details from Google Drive, checked October 2026. “Not listed” means we couldn't confirm it on their site. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Verdict
Choose Eventoly for collecting photos from many guests at a wedding, birthday or company event.
Choose Google Drive for a handful of people exchanging files who all have Google accounts.
New to QR photo sharing? See how Eventoly works, browse every Eventoly feature, or read our guide to the best wedding photo sharing apps.
Guests scan, upload from their browser, and every photo and video lands in one private album — no app, no login. Free to try, one-time payment, trusted at 30,000+ events.
FAQ
Uploading to a shared Drive folder typically requires a Google account. Eventoly needs none.
It's fine for receiving files from your photographer. For guest photos, sign-in friction and the file-browser experience mean far fewer uploads than a QR code album.
Yes. Drive, Gmail and Photos share 15 GB free. Big events with video fill that fast.
Yes. Download your full Eventoly album as a ZIP and upload it anywhere you like.
More comparisons
Both let guests upload photos and videos through a QR code with no app.
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Compare →Eventoly and Wedibox are close on core features: QR uploads with no app, unlimited photos, a live slideshow, an audio guestbook and ZIP downloads.
Compare →WedShoots is free but requires every guest to download the WedShoots app and join your album.
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