Keepsly

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Keepsly vs. shared albums and group chats

Shared albums and group chats are free and familiar, and they work well for small groups. Keepsly is a private, invite-only app built for events with many guests: only invited people who confirm with a code sent to their phone can get in, photos and 30-second videos are organized into Moments, and it costs $24.99 once per Keepsly with guests joining free.

Side by side

Keepsly

Who can get in
Only invited people who confirm with a one-time code sent to their phone. A forwarded link alone does not work.
Organized around the event
Yes. Photos are grouped into Moments, with Every angle, reactions and a Top Sharers board.
Video support
Yes, 30-second video moments.
How long it lasts
2 years included, with optional manual renewal for another 2 years.
Price model
$24.99 once per Keepsly, paid by the host. Not a subscription.
Guest cost
Free.
Install needed
Yes, the free Keepsly app for iPhone, iPad or Android.

Shared Google Photos or iCloud album

Who can get in
Typically anyone with the share link, or people added by account.
Organized around the event
One album, usually sorted by date.
Video support
Yes; limits vary by platform.
How long it lasts
As long as the owner keeps the album and their account storage.
Price model
Free, within each person's account storage.
Guest cost
Free.
Install needed
Viewing works in a browser; adding photos usually needs an account on that platform.

WhatsApp or iMessage group chat

Who can get in
Members of the chat. Anyone in it can save or forward the photos.
Organized around the event
No. Photos are mixed in with the conversation and get buried over time.
Video support
Yes, but media is often compressed.
How long it lasts
As long as the chat exists on members' devices or backups.
Price model
Free.
Guest cost
Free.
Install needed
Everyone needs the same chat app.

QR-code or link guest-upload apps

Who can get in
Typically anyone with the QR code or link.
Organized around the event
Usually one gallery per event; features vary by app.
Video support
Varies by app.
How long it lasts
Varies by app and plan.
Price model
Varies: free tiers, one-time fees or subscriptions.
Guest cost
Usually free.
Install needed
Usually no install; guests upload from a browser.

Details for other options describe typical behavior and can vary by app, platform and plan.

When Keepsly is the right choice

  • Privacy matters and you want only invited people to get in
  • You have many guests on different phones and platforms
  • You want photos organized around the event, not buried in a chat
  • You want it to last, with 2 years included and optional renewal
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When a shared album is enough

  • It is a small group
  • Everyone already uses the same photo platform
  • You do not want to pay anything

Comparison questions

Is Keepsly better than a shared Google Photos or iCloud album?

It depends on what you need. A shared album is free and familiar, and works well for a small group on the same platform. Keepsly is built for events with many guests where privacy matters: only invited people who confirm with a phone code can get in, photos are organized into Moments, and the host has curation and moderation tools.

Why not just use a group chat?

Group chats are free and everyone already has one, but photos get buried in the conversation and media is often compressed. Keepsly keeps everyone's photos and 30-second videos in one place organized around the event, for 2 years.

How is Keepsly different from QR-code guest-upload apps?

QR-code and link upload apps usually need no install, which is convenient, but anyone with the code or link can typically get in. Keepsly guests install the free app and confirm with a one-time code sent to their phone, so a forwarded link alone does not let anyone in.

Do guests pay to use Keepsly?

No. Only the host pays $24.99 once per Keepsly. Guests join free.