You want to share event photos with everyone, or collect travel pictures from the whole group. But which photo sharing service should you choose?
In this article, we compare 6 of the best photo sharing services available in 2026, clearly explaining the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Photo Sharing Service Comparison
| Service | Price | Registration | Image Quality | Storage | Sharing Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PicTomo | Free | Not required | Up to 4K | 100–250 photos | QR code / URL |
| Google Photos | Free+ | Required | Compressed | 15 GB | Link sharing |
| Amazon Photos | Prime membership | Required | Uncompressed | Unlimited (photos) | Link sharing |
| LINE | Free | Required | Compressed | 1,000 per album | In-chat |
| AirDrop | Free | Not required | Uncompressed | No limit | Nearby only |
| 30days Album | Free+ | Required | Compressed | 2 GB | URL sharing |
PicTomo — No Registration, Built for Large Groups
Key advantage: No app installation or account registration required. Anyone can upload and view photos simply by scanning a QR code.
- Up to 4K image quality with no degradation
- Easy sharing via QR code
- Optional password protection
- Automatic GPS data removal for privacy
- Bulk ZIP download
- Share Rewards: expand to up to 68 days and 250 photos for free
Best for: Large-group events like weddings, reunions, sports days, and BBQs. The organizer doesn't need to manage accounts for everyone — just hand out a QR code and photos start rolling in.
Google Photos — Great for Everyday Backups
A cloud storage service available to anyone with a Google account. The free tier offers 15 GB (shared with Gmail and Drive).
- Convenient automatic backup
- AI-powered search recognizes people, places, and objects
- Shared album feature available
Caveat: The free plan compresses image quality. Everyone joining a shared album needs a Google account. Asking all event guests to "sign up for Google" is hardly realistic.
Amazon Photos — Unlimited Storage for Prime Members
Amazon Prime members can store photos at full quality with no storage limit — appealing for quality-conscious users.
- Uncompressed photos with unlimited storage
- RAW file support
- Family Vault for sharing with family
Caveat: Requires a Prime membership. Recipients also need an Amazon account. Best suited for personal or family backups, not large-event photo collection.
LINE — Convenient but Watch the Quality
The most widely used messaging app in Japan. Sharing photos in chat is quick and easy.
- Most people already use it daily
- Instant sharing in group chats
- Album feature for organizing photos
Caveat: Images are automatically compressed on send. Even "original quality" mode doesn't preserve true originals, and album-saved photos are compressed further. Quality may be insufficient for printing or photo books. Everyone also needs to exchange LINE contacts.
AirDrop — Fastest Between Apple Devices
Wirelessly transfer photos at original quality between iPhones and Macs in close proximity.
- No quality loss
- Zero data cost (Bluetooth + Wi-Fi Direct)
- Simple to use
Caveat: Works only between Apple devices — Android users are out of luck. Requires close range (about 10 m), so it can't be used for sharing after an event.
30days Album — Time-Limited Sharing
A time-limited photo sharing service operated by GCP. Share an album via URL.
- 30-day sharing window
- Password protection available
- Slideshow viewing feature
Caveat: Account registration is required to create an album. The free plan has a 2 GB storage limit and images are compressed.
Best Service by Purpose
| Purpose | Recommended | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Large-group events | PicTomo | No registration — everyone can join easily |
| Everyday backups | Google Photos | Automatic backup is convenient |
| High-quality archiving | Amazon Photos | Uncompressed, unlimited (Prime members) |
| Small-group casual sharing | LINE | No extra app needed for daily users |
| Apple-to-Apple transfers | AirDrop | Fastest and highest quality at close range |
Conclusion
Every photo sharing service has its strengths and weaknesses. Google Photos is great for everyday backups, Amazon Photos for family archiving, and LINE for quick shares among a small group of friends.
However, for large-group events like weddings and reunions, asking everyone to register an account or install an app simply isn't practical. With PicTomo, you just hand out a QR code and anyone can upload photos on the spot.
Choose the photo sharing service that fits your needs and make sure every precious memory is preserved.