Comparison · updated October 2026
The short answer
A Google Photos shared album is free and familiar, but contributors usually sign in with a Google account, everything counts against your 15 GB of Google storage, and there's no QR-first upload page, guestbook or approval step. Eventoly is built for events: scan, upload, done, with no sign-in for guests.
At a glance
| Feature | Eventoly | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan (20 uploads) · paid $49 / $59 / $89 one-time per event | Free (uses your Google storage) |
| App needed for guests | No — guests upload from their phone's browser | Google Photos app or browser |
| Guest account / login | No login, no email | Usually a Google account to add photos |
| Upload limit | Unlimited photos & videos on every paid plan | Up to 20,000 items per album |
| Video uploads | Yes | Yes |
| Photo quality | Original quality, no compression | Depends on each uploader's backup settings |
| Live slideshow | Yes — live slideshow (Standard & Pro) | Basic album slideshow |
| Guestbook | Written notes + voice messages (Standard & Pro) | Comments only |
| Approve uploads first | Yes — approve uploads before they appear | No |
| How long photos are kept | 6 months to 2 years, by plan | Counts against your 15 GB free Google storage |
| Download everything | One-click ZIP of the full album | Yes |
Google Photos details from Google Photos help: share photos, 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 a wedding or event where you want every guest to contribute, including the ones without a Google account.
Choose Google Photos for a small, tech-comfortable group where everyone already uses Google and storage isn't a concern.
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
It works for small, tech-savvy groups. At a wedding, sign-in friction, storage quota and the lack of a guestbook or approval step mean many guests never upload. That's the gap QR photo-sharing tools like Eventoly fill.
Generally, contributors sign in with a Google account to add photos to a shared album. Eventoly needs no account at all.
Yes. Your Google Photos library shares the 15 GB free quota with Gmail and Drive. Eventoly storage is included in your plan.
Up to 20,000 photos and videos per album. Eventoly paid plans have no upload limit.
More comparisons
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Compare →WedShoots is free but requires every guest to download the WedShoots app and join your album.
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