Google Photos vs iCloud Shared Albums
An honest, side-by-side look at Google Photos and iCloud Shared Albums for collecting photos and videos at your event. Every figure below comes from each app's own pricing and our verified feature checks, so you can compare cost, features and real reviews without the marketing spin.
Skip the comparison. Our Event Album beats both.
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.
Plans
Free Tier
Free Google Account storage is shared across Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail.
- 15 GB free Google Account storage shared across Photos, Drive, and Gmail
- Shared albums/conversations for photos and videos
- Not a no-app QR upload gallery
- Storage can be exhausted quickly by full wedding media
Add-ons
Optional extras, separated from real plans so the base price stays clear.
Google One Plans
Paid Google One storage plans add storage for Photos, Drive, and Gmail; exact prices and available tiers vary by region and account context, so no single converted price is claimed here.
- Paid Google One storage adds capacity for Photos, Drive, and Gmail
- Prices and tiers vary by region and account context
- Use account-local Google One pricing for exact TCO
Plans
Free
Free iCloud storage tier; Shared Albums have separate album limits and do not work like a wedding QR gallery.
- Shared Albums do not count against iCloud storage
- 5,000 photos/videos per shared album
- 100 subscribers per shared album
- Videos up to 15 minutes and delivered up to 720p
- Shared photos may be reduced to 2048px on the long edge
Our Event Album is $39 USD, one-time
No subscription, no per-guest fee, and no add-on sorting needed for the core album experience.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the verified feature catalog, not the stored page copy.
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | ||
| QR code upload Guests scan a QR code to upload photos and videos to the event gallery — no app, no account. | ||
| No app required Guests contribute via a web browser; there is nothing to download or install. | ~Shared albums can be accessed in Google Photos/browser contexts, but guests commonly need Google account/app access; it is not a no-account wedding gallery. | |
| Guest experience | ||
| Live slideshow A real-time slideshow of guest photos you can cast to a screen at the reception. | ||
| 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). | ~Google Photos supports saving/downloading shared media, but it is not a wedding-specific one-click event export workflow. | ~Shared Albums store copies and may reduce media quality; downloaded content may not contain the same information as the original. |
| Moderation / approval Hosts can review, approve or hide uploads before they appear publicly. | ~The owner can manage subscribers and delete photos/videos, but there is no pre-publication moderation queue. | |
| 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 private — only invited guests can view or upload. | ~Shared albums can be shared with selected people or links, but this is not a password-protected wedding gallery model. | ~Shared Albums use subscribers/invites, but they are not a password-protected public wedding gallery. |
✓ supportedx not supported~ partial? unconfirmed
The matrix is easier when the essentials are included
- ✓Unique QR code for your event
- ✓Printable sign templates (PDF)
- ✓Unlimited photo & video uploads
- ✓Custom welcome page
Pros and cons
- ✓Free 15 GB Google Account storage is useful for small collections
- ✓Shared albums are familiar to many guests with Google accounts
- ✓Supports photos and videos across app and browser contexts
- ✓Paid Google One storage can expand capacity when needed
- ✓Good general archive if the couple already uses Google Photos
- xNot a wedding QR upload gallery and not built for event signage
- xGuests may need Google account/app access depending on the sharing flow
- xNo live reception slideshow, moderation queue, branding, or wedding guestbook workflow was verified
- xStorage is shared with Gmail and Drive, so large wedding media can exhaust the free tier
- xPaid Google One pricing varies by region/account, so exact TCO needs checking in-account
- ✓Free Shared Albums do not count against iCloud storage
- ✓Built into Apple Photos for iPhone/iPad/Mac users
- ✓Supports comments and likes on shared photos/videos
- ✓Apple documents clear limits: 5,000 items per album and 100 subscribers
- ✓Useful for small Apple-heavy groups that already use Photos
- xNot a wedding QR gallery and not friendly for mixed Android/Google guest lists
- xHard 5,000 photo/video limit per shared album and 100 subscriber limit
- xShared media may be downscaled; downloaded content may not contain the same information as the original
- xNo live slideshow, moderation queue, custom branding, or event upload signage workflow
- xiCloud+ storage prices are monthly subscriptions if the couple also needs more Apple storage
What people say
Real reviews, each linked to its source.
Google Photos
2 reviews
iCloud Shared Albums
2 reviews
Our Event Album beats both
If you are choosing between Google Photos and iCloud Shared Albums, compare them with the simpler option: 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 anytime
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more, Google Photos or iCloud Shared Albums?
Google Photos has a free tier, plus paid plans. iCloud Shared Albums starts at $0.99 monthly, with a limited free tier as well.
How much does Google Photos cost?
Google Photos has a free tier, plus paid plans.
How much does iCloud Shared Albums cost?
iCloud Shared Albums starts at $0.99 monthly, with a limited free tier as well.
Do Google Photos or iCloud Shared Albums make guests download an app?
Google Photos asks guests to install an app, while iCloud Shared Albums asks guests to install an app. Our Event Album is web-only: guests scan a QR code and upload, no app required.
Is there a better alternative to Google Photos and iCloud Shared Albums?
Our Event Album is the alternative most couples choose over both: QR-code photo and video uploads with no guest app, a live slideshow, unlimited uploads, and a one-time $39 with no subscription.
Our Event Album beats both. Start your album in 5 minutes.
One QR code. No guest apps. One flat price, no subscriptions.
Get Your Album - From $39