iCloud Shared Albums vs Wedbox
An honest, side-by-side look at iCloud Shared Albums and Wedbox 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
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
Plans
Free app
Supplied FAQ states the app is free before, during and after the event; it can collect from guests, the photographer, or a photo booth; invited guests can access photos privately; native iPhone/Android plus browser access are mentioned; files are saved for 2 months after the wedding date.
- Free before, during and after the event
- Collect photos and videos from guests
- Photographer upload mentioned in FAQ
- Photo booth / iPad photo booth mentioned in FAQ
- Private invited-guests access
- Multiple languages mentioned in FAQ
- Files saved for 2 months after the wedding
- iPhone, Android, and browser access mentioned in FAQ
Add-ons
Optional extras, separated from real plans so the base price stays clear.
Single download package
- Single original-quality download package
- Required if you want to download everything in original quality
Multiple download package
- Multiple original-quality downloads
- Alternative package for more than one original-quality download
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. | Not verified | |
| No app required Guests contribute via a web browser; there is nothing to download or install. | Not verified | |
| Photographer upload | Not verified | on Free app (Free) |
| Photo booth mode | Not verified | on Free app (Free) |
| Guest experience | ||
| Live slideshow A real-time slideshow of guest photos you can cast to a screen at the reception. | Not verified | |
| Comments & likes Guests can like and comment on photos in the gallery. | Not verified | |
| Management | ||
| Download all Download all photos and videos from the event at once (e.g. a single ZIP). | ~Shared Albums store copies and may reduce media quality; downloaded content may not contain the same information as the original. | Not verified |
| 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. | Not verified |
| Media | ||
| Video support Guests can upload videos, not just photos. | on Free app (Free) | |
| 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 |
| Other | ||
| Multi-language The guest-facing interface is available in multiple languages. | Not verified | on Free app (Free) |
| Privacy | ||
| Private gallery The gallery is private — only invited guests can view or upload. | ~Shared Albums use subscribers/invites, but they are not a password-protected public wedding gallery. | on Free app (Free) |
✓ 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
- ✓Free app before, during, and after the wedding
- ✓FAQ-backed guest, photographer, and photo booth collection flows
- ✓iPhone, Android, and browser access mentioned in FAQ
- ✓Paid packages for original-quality downloads and longer hosting
- ✓Listed on both App Store and Google Play
- xOriginal-quality downloads and extended hosting cost extra
- xExact current setup flow should be tested before the event
- xGoogle Play feedback is materially lower than App Store feedback
- xRecent public reviews mention upload, download, unexpected-charge, and support issues
What people say
Real reviews, each linked to its source.
iCloud Shared Albums
2 reviews
Wedbox
5 reviews
Our Event Album beats both
If you are choosing between iCloud Shared Albums and Wedbox, 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, iCloud Shared Albums or Wedbox?
iCloud Shared Albums starts at $0.99 monthly, with a limited free tier as well. Wedbox 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 Wedbox cost?
Wedbox has a free tier, plus paid plans.
Is there a better alternative to iCloud Shared Albums and Wedbox?
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