Cluster vs iCloud Shared Albums
A side-by-side look at Cluster and iCloud Shared Albums for collecting photos and videos at your event. Prices and features below come from each app's own published pages and link to their sources, so you can compare them directly.
Or compare both with Our Event Album
Give guests one simple QR code, unlimited uploads, and a polished live album without subscriptions or app downloads.
- ✓Unique QR code for your event
- ✓Printable sign templates (PDF)
- ✓Unlimited photo & video uploads
- ✓Custom welcome page
Pricing at a glance
Published plans are shown separately from add-ons. Verified competitor prices use your selected currency, otherwise their listed currency.
Free
Free to get started: up to 10 groups with 1,000 photos each.
- ·Private groups for invited people
- ·Photo and video sharing
- ·Comments/discussion around shared photos
- ·Up to 10 groups with 1,000 photos each
Free
5 GB of free iCloud storage.
- ·5 GB free iCloud storage
- ·Shared albums created on iOS 27 or later count toward the owner's storage
- ·Up to 100 participants per shared album
Our Event Album is $39 USD, one-time
One payment for one event album.
Feature comparison
Marks reflect each company's published pages as we checked them.
| Feature | Cluster | iCloud Shared Albums |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | ||
| QR code upload Guests scan a QR code to upload photos and videos to the event gallery — no app, no account. | Not verifiedGuests join by invite link, including on a table card; QR codes are not mentioned. | Not verifiedAlbums are shared by invitation or link; QR codes are not mentioned. |
| No app required Guests contribute via a web browser; there is nothing to download or install. | ||
| Guest experience | ||
| Live slideshow A real-time slideshow of guest photos you can cast to a screen at the reception. | Not verified | Not verified |
| Guest messaging / well-wishes Guests leave written well-wishes or messages alongside their photos. | ~Cluster supports private group discussion around shared photos, but not wedding guestbook well-wishes as a dedicated event feature. | Not verified |
| Comments & likes Guests can like and comment on photos in the gallery. | ||
| Management | ||
| Download all Download all photos and videos from the event at once (e.g. a single ZIP). | Not verifiedSaving individual items is documented; a bulk export is not. | |
| Moderation / approval Hosts can review, approve or hide uploads before they appear publicly. | ~Admins can limit posting and inviting to admins; no approval step is described. | ~The owner can delete anyone's photos; from iOS 27 the owner can approve participants (people, not uploads). |
| Media | ||
| Video support Guests can upload videos, not just photos. | ||
| Metrics | ||
| Uploads limit Maximum photos/videos guests can upload to the gallery. Blank = unlimited. | Not verified | Not verified |
| Storage / active duration How long the gallery stays live and uploads are kept. Blank = unlimited / forever. | Not verified | Not verified |
| Guest limit Maximum number of guests/contributors. Blank = unlimited. | Not verified | Not verified |
| Max video length Longest single video a guest can upload. Blank = no limit. | Not verified | Not verified |
| Privacy | ||
| Private gallery The gallery is not public: only people given access, for example through the event's QR code or private link, can view or upload. | ~Shared Albums use subscribers/invites, but they are not a password-protected public wedding gallery. | |
✓ supportedx not offered, per the company~ partial? unconfirmedNot verified not verified in the sources we checked
What Our Event Album includes
- ✓Unique QR code for your event
- ✓Printable sign templates (PDF)
- ✓Unlimited photo & video uploads
- ✓Custom welcome page
Pros and cons
- ✓Web, iOS and Android access
- ✓Private groups are the core use case
- ✓Supports photo and video sharing for families and friend groups
- ✓Comments and discussion around shared photos
- ✓Free to start: up to 10 groups with 1,000 photos each
- xGuests join by invite link; QR codes are not mentioned
- xPaid plans are App Store in-app purchases
- xNo live slideshow is mentioned on its site
- xNo upload approval step is described
- ✓People can join and contribute on the web, even without an Apple Account (albums created on iOS 27 or later)
- ✓Built into Apple Photos for iPhone/iPad/Mac users
- ✓Supports comments and likes on shared photos/videos
- ✓New albums store originals at full resolution
- ✓Useful for groups that already use Apple Photos
- xUp to 100 participants per album, including the owner
- xNew albums count toward the owner's iCloud storage
- xAlbums created on iOS 26 or earlier are limited to 5,000 items and downscale shared media
- xInvitations are by link; Apple doesn't mention QR codes or event signs
- xiCloud+ storage is a monthly subscription
What people say
Real reviews, each linked to its source.
“I would say go elsewhere and find a better app that has actual support.”
Or consider Our Event Album
If you are choosing betweenClusterandiCloud Shared Albumsyou can also compare Our Event Album: one QR code, no guest app, unlimited uploads, and one flat price.
- ✓Unique QR code for your event
- ✓Printable sign templates (PDF)
- ✓Unlimited photo & video uploads
- ✓Custom welcome page
- ✓6 months of secure hosting
- ✓Download all photos during your hosting period
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more, Cluster or iCloud Shared Albums?
iCloud Shared Albums is the cheaper of the two, starting at $0.99 against Cluster's $4.99. For comparison, Our Event Album is $39 one-time with no subscription.
How much does Cluster cost?
Cluster starts at $4.99 in-app purchase, with a limited free tier as well.
How much does iCloud Shared Albums cost?
iCloud Shared Albums starts at $0.99 monthly, with a limited free tier as well.
Do Cluster or iCloud Shared Albums make guests download an app?
Cluster says guests can upload from a web browser, and iCloud Shared Albums says guests can upload from a web browser. Our Event Album is web-only: guests scan a QR code and upload, no app required.
What else could I consider besides Cluster and iCloud Shared Albums?
Our Event Album is another option: QR-code photo and video uploads with no guest app, a live slideshow, unlimited uploads, and a one-time $39 with no subscription.
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Set up your own album today
One QR code. No guest apps. One flat price, no subscriptions.
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