iCloud Shared Albums vs The Guest
An honest, side-by-side look at iCloud Shared Albums and The Guest 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.
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
iCloud+ 50GB
- ·50 GB iCloud+ storage
- ·Shared Albums still have separate album limits
iCloud+ 200GB
- ·200 GB iCloud+ storage
- ·Shared Albums still have separate album limits
Historical The Guest app (unavailable)
Historical mirrors list The Guest as free before discontinuation. This is not current pricing; AppBrain says the app was removed from Google Play on December 20, 2023.
- ·Historical app listing: free app
- ·Automatic photo and video sharing from guests’ normal iPhone camera
- ·Real-time sharing during event windows
- ·Full-resolution photo and full-length video downloads
- ·Automatically created web album
- ·Live web slideshow
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.
Guests scan a QR code to upload photos and videos to the event gallery — no app, no account.
Photo prompts or scavenger-hunt style games to get guests snapping.
A live feed or wall of photos as guests upload them during the event.
Download all photos and videos from the event at once (e.g. a single ZIP).
Hosts can review, approve or hide uploads before they appear publicly.
Maximum photos/videos guests can upload to the gallery. Blank = unlimited.
How long the gallery stays live and uploads are kept. Blank = unlimited / forever.
The gallery is private — only invited guests can view or upload.
✓ 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 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
- ✓Historical app automatically shared guests’ photos and videos
- ✓Supported full-resolution photo and full-length video downloads
- ✓Included a web album and live web slideshow
- ✓Published historical App Store-style testimonials were positive
- xNo current downloadable app or purchasable plan
- xGuest flow required installing an app
- xDomain does not currently resolve
- xHistorical pricing/add-on data is not current 2026 pricing
What people say
Real reviews, each linked to its source.
“Apple Support confirms Shared Albums do not count against iCloud storage but have limits, including 5,000 photos/videos per shared album and 100 subscribers per album.”
“Apple’s iCloud page confirms 5 GB free iCloud storage and iCloud+ paid storage plans from 50 GB upward.”
“A published AppAdvice testimonial from Melanie R. said the app was useful for both a friend’s wedding and her own, especially for seeing friends’ shots in real time.”
“A published testimonial from Brian S. said the app helped them get photos with everyone who came to the wedding.”
“A published testimonial from Nikki M. described sharing wedding pictures as easy and suited to special days.”
Our Event Album beats both
If you are choosing betweeniiCloud Shared AlbumsandTThe Guestcompare 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, iCloud Shared Albums or The Guest?
iCloud Shared Albums starts at $0.99 monthly, with a limited free tier as well. The Guest 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.
How much does The Guest cost?
The Guest has a free tier, plus paid plans.
Do iCloud Shared Albums or The Guest make guests download an app?
ICloud Shared Albums asks guests to install an app, while The Guest 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 iCloud Shared Albums and The Guest?
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.
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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